who is on tour with motley crue

Def Leppard And Mötley Crüe Announce 2023 U.S. Dates For ‘The World Tour’ Following Massively Successful North American Stadium Run

with Special Guest Alice Cooper

Hot off the heels of the biggest North American stadium tour of 2022 with more than 1.3 million tickets sold, the world’s most iconic and celebrated rock legends  Def Leppard and  Mötley Crüe  are going global in 2023 with their co-headline ‘The World Tour’ along with special guest Alice Cooper.  After the launch of European and Latin American dates, the U.S. dates have been announced today.

Produced by Live Nation, the U.S. leg of the world tour kicks off on August 5 th  in Syracuse, NY. The bands will bring their electrifying stage shows across America throughout the month of August including being the first ever show at the H.A. Chapman Stadium in Tulsa, OK. 

“After finally getting back on the road this past summer, we’re beyond thrilled to bring this massive tour to a global audience including some special dates in America!” said Joe Elliott of Def Leppard.

“We had an incredible time playing The Stadium Tour in North America this summer and we truly can’t wait to take the show around the globe with  The WORLD Tour  in 2023. Crüeheads get ready because we have a few amazing U.S. dates set for you!” Mötley Crüe said in a joint statement.

TICKETS:   Check local listings for complete details including VIP offerings. To purchase tickets please visit  motley.com  &  defleppard.com .

Citi is the official card of  ‘The World Tour’ . Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning Tuesday, December 13 th  at 10am local time until Thursday, December 15 th  at 10pm local time through the Citi Entertainment program. For complete presale details visit  www.citientertainment.com . 

Tickets to the general public will go on sale on Friday, December 16 th  at 10am local time for all shows.

THE WORLD TOUR DATES: 

Saturday, August 5        Syracuse, NY                JMA Wireless Dome

Tuesday, August 8        Columbus, OH              Ohio Stadium

Friday, August 11          Fargo, ND                     Fargodome

Sunday, August 13        Omaha, NE                   Charles Schwab Field Omaha

Wednesday, August 16  Tulsa, OK                     H.A. Chapman Stadium

Friday, August 18          El Paso, TX                  Sun Bowl

CURRENTLY ON-SALE

Fri, Feb 10, 2023           Atlantic City, NJ                          Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena^

Sat, Feb 11, 2023         Atlantic City, NJ                        Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena^

Sat, Feb 18, 2023          Mexico City, Mexico                   Foro Sol

Tue, Feb 21, 2023         Monterrey, Mexico                     Estadio Banorte

Sat, Feb 25, 2023          Bogota, Colombia                      Parque Simon Bolivar

Tue, Feb 28, 2023         Lima, Peru                                Estadio Nacional

Fri, Mar 3, 2023             Santiago, Chile                          Estadio Bicentenario de La Florida

Tue, Mar 7, 2023          Sao Paulo, Brazil                       Allianz Parque

Mon, May 22, 2023        Sheffield, UK                             Bramall Lane

Thu, May 25, 2023         Mönchengladbach, Germany     SparkassenPark

Sat, May 27, 2023        Munich, Germany                      Koenigsplatz

Mon, May 29, 2023        Budapest, Hungary                    MVM Dome

Wed, May 31, 2023       Krakow, Poland                          TAURON Arena Kraków

Fri, Jun 2, 2023              Prague, Czech Republic            Prague Rocks *

Sat, Jun 3, 2023             Hannover, Germany                  Expo Plaza

Wed, Jun 7, 2023          Solvesborg, Sweden                  Sweden Rock Festival *

Fri, Jun 9, 2023              Hyvinkää, Finland                      RockFest *

Sun, Jun 11, 2023         Trondheim, Norway                   Trondheim Rocks *

Wed, Jun 14, 2023       Copenhagen, Denmark              COPENHELL *

Sun, Jun 18, 2023         Dessel, Belgium                         Graspop Metal Meeting *

Tue, Jun 20, 2023         Milan, Italy                                 Ippodromo SNAI San Siro

Fri, Jun 23, 2023           Lisbon, Portugal                         Passeio Maritimo de Alges

Sat, Jun 24, 2023          Rivas-Vaciamadrid, Spain          Auditorio Miguel Ríos

Tue, Jun 27, 2023         Thun, Switzerland                      Stockhorn Arena

Sat, Jul 1, 2023              London, UK                                Wembley Stadium

Sun, Jul 2, 2023             Lytham, UK                                Lytham Festival *

Tue, Jul 4, 2023                         Dublin, Ireland                            Marlay Park

Thu, Jul 6, 2023                         Glasgow, UK                              Hampden Park

^  no Alice Cooper

*  Festival Date

ABOUT THE BANDS:

With more than 110 million albums sold worldwide and two prestigious Diamond Awards in the U.S., 2019 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame® inductees Def Leppard – Joe Elliott (vocals), Phil Collen (guitar), Rick Savage (bass), Vivian Campbell (guitar) and Rick Allen (drums) — continue to be one of the most important forces in rock music. Over the course of their career the band has produced a series of classic ground-breaking albums that set the bar for generations of music fans and artists alike. The group’s spectacular live shows and arsenal of hits have become synonymous with their name, leading Def Leppard to be heralded as the world’s greatest live rock band. Def Leppard’s influential career includes numerous hit singles and ground-breaking multi-platinum albums—including two of the best-selling albums of all time, Pyromania and Hysteria, capturing the group’s legendary tracks, bringing together classic Leppard hits such as “Rock of Ages”, Pour Some Sugar on Me” and “Foolin.” For the first time, in January 2018 Def Leppard debuted their full recording catalogue worldwide via streaming and download platforms. As they did with the original release of their records, Def Leppard dominated the worldwide charts again, which found their albums charting in the iTunes Top 10 in more than 30 countries, including Hysteria at #3 in the US, and #5 in the UK (36 years after the album had charted at No 1 in the Billboard charts). Def Leppard also had the #1, #2 and #3 records on the US catalogue albums chart. The band have gone on to amass a staggering 5.5 billion streams since 2018, reaching a younger 18-44 demographic that now represents 58% of their fanbase. Additionally, the band have garnered an impressive 15 million followers across their social media platforms. In May 2022, Def Leppard released their twelfth studio album Diamond Star Halos. The album debuted at #1 on the Apple and Amazon Music charts. The album also scored a Top 10 debut on North America’s Billboard’s Top 200 Albums chart, marking the band’s eighth Top 10 album of their career, and garnered a #1 debut on Billboard’s Hard Rock chart. Diamond Star Halos had numerous Top 10 chart entries globally including a Top 5 debut in the UK. Following the close of their historic 2018 co-headline stadium and arena run in North America, Def Leppard sold in excess of 1,000,000 tickets and the tour grossed over $100,000,000.00, a massive feat in today’s touring world. Def Leppard & Mötley Crüe topped that number yet again with another sold out North American stadium run in 2022 selling over 1.3 million tickets which grossed a staggering $173,500,000.00. As always, the group keep pushing the boundaries with their electrifying live shows.

Hailing from Los Angeles, CA, the quartet —Vince Neil (vocals), Nikki Sixx (bass), Tommy Lee (drums) and Mick Mars (guitars) —  has commandeered the rock pantheon for 41 years. The band has sold over 100 million albums worldwide, garnered 7 USA platinum and multi-platinum albums, 22 Top 40 mainstream rock hits, 6 Top 20 pop singles, 3  Grammy  nominations, 5  New York Times  best-selling books, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a  Netflix  hit movie. Mötley Crüe continues touring the world with John 5 on guitar as they push the visual limits of live performance. 

Mötley Crüe  have amassed over 5 billion streams across digital platforms and the band has over 8 million followers on social media. Known for their iconic live performances, the band has sold-out countless tours across the globe in front of millions of fans with groundbreaking production highlights such as Tommy Lee’s drum-rollercoaster and Nikki Sixx’s flame-throwing-bass. They  pioneered the Las Vegas rock residency with a sold out run in 2012. Mötley Crüe’s hit songs  such as “Kickstart My Heart” and “Home Sweet Home” are frequently licensed by major brands such as  NASCAR, Dodge, Coldwell Banker, Carl’s Jr. and KIA  to name a few and their music can be heard on TV hit shows such as  Stranger Things  and  Cobra Kai  amongst many others.

The band’s biography “The Dirt: Confessions of the World’s Most Notorious Rock Band” became a New York Times best-seller in 2001 and has sold over 1 million copies worldwide. Members of the band have authored 4 additional  New York Times  best-selling books since. In 2019 Netflix premiered “The Dirt” biopic based on the bestselling book which became a global hit movie scoring a 94% positive audience score on  Rotten Tomatoes . As a result, Mötley Crüe gained an entire new generation of young fans who discovered the band through the movie and further solidified their iconic status, relevance and the timelessness of their songwriting. 

Fans of the band are also able to buy/rent  The Retaliators  movie on VOD platforms now; Nikki Sixx co-wrote the haunting theme song “21 Bullets”and Tommy Lee makes a cameo appearance in the rock-infused thriller movie. For more info go to  www.retaliatorsmovie.com     

Mötley Crüe remains a huge global draw 41 years into their career and, in the summer of 2022 co-headlined a nearly sold out North American stadium tour with Def Leppard. The tour is set to travel to the rest of the world in 2023. 

Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Alice Cooper pioneered a grandly theatrical brand of hard rock that was designed to shock audiences of all ages.  Drawing equally from horror movies, vaudeville, and garage rock, the group created a stage show that featured electric chairs, guillotines, fake blood and boa constrictors. He continues to tour regularly, performing shows worldwide with the dark and horror-themed theatrics that he’s best known for.

His 2021 album “Detroit Stories,” inspired by his hometown’s legacy of rock, debuted on Billboard’s Top Album Sales Chart at #1, and his recent “Live From The Astroturf” video/audio release recently did the same on the UK’s Official Music Video Chart.  

While preparing two new albums for 2023 release, Alice continues to do his nightly “Nights With Alice Cooper” syndicated radio show, and still manages to tour up to six months each year on the road.  Alice Cooper continues to bring his own brand of rock psycho-drama to fans both old and new, enjoying it as much as the audience does. Known as the architect of shock-rock, Cooper (in both the original Alice Cooper band and as a solo artist) has rattled the cages and undermined the authority of generations of guardians of the status quo, continuing to surprise fans and exude danger at every turn, like a great horror movie, even in an era where CNN can present real life shocking images.

BAND WEBSITES:

www.defleppard.com

www.motley.com

www.alicecooper.com

About Live Nation Entertainment

Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world’s leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Sponsorship. For additional information, visit  www.livenationentertainment.com .

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Live Nation Concerts

Monique Sowinski |  [email protected]

Read more about

Def Leppard – The Stadium Tour with Mötley Crüe, Poison & Joan Jett

THE STADIUM TOUR

The world’s most iconic and celebrated rock legends will hit the road together next summer for a co-headlining tour SO MASSIVE that it could only be held in America’s biggest stadiums.

Sign up for Rock Brigade presale access HERE

Rock Brigade pre-sale tickets & VIP packages go on sale Monday, December 9 at 10am local

General tickets & VIP packages go on sale to the public on Friday, December 13 at 10am local

“We’re trying to turn these shows into a mini-festival… we’re all from the same genre. Most people that like that kind of thing saw us day after day on MTV in the Eighties.  Our journeys have gone in different directions since then, but synchronicity pulls us back together once again. It’s a celebration of that whole kind of vibe.” – Joe Elliott

2019 ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES Def Leppard are one of the most important forces in rock music. Over the past year, the icons closed out a sold-out worldwide tour including a North American stadium run & headlining the UK’s Download Festival to 90k screaming fans. Def Leppard’s star continues to rise and prevail. The band have amassed a staggering 2.5 billion streams since releasing their music digitally last year. Def Leppard’s influential career crosses generations and includes numerous hit singles and ground-breaking multi-platinum albums—including two of the best-selling albums of all time, Pyromania and Hysteria, both of which are certified Diamond (10x platinum).

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The Stadium Tour Featuring Mötley Crüe and Def Leppard with Poison and Joan Jett & The Blackhearts Coming to Allegiant Stadium Friday, September 9, 2022

Feb 17 / 2022.

After two summers of delays it is FINALLY happening!! The world’s most iconic and celebrated rock legends will hit the road together this summer for a coheadlining tour SO MASSIVE that it could only be held in North America’s biggest stadiums. THE STADIUM TOUR featuring, MÖTLEY CRÜE, DEF LEPPARD with POISON and JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS will hit select cities in the U.S. and Canada where each band will bring their electrifying stage shows while promising to perform their stadium sized anthems. Produced by Live Nation, the summer tour will make a Las Vegas stop at Allegiant Stadium Friday, Sept. 9, 2022.

Citi is the official card of The Stadium Tour . Citi cardmembers will have access to purchase presale tickets for the Las Vegas show beginning Tuesday, Feb. 22 at 10 a.m. PT until Thursday, Feb. 24 at 10 p.m. PT through the Citi Entertainment program. For complete presale details visit  www.citientertainment.com .

Artist fan presales begin Friday, Feb. 18 at 10 a.m. PT. Live Nation and Allegiant Stadium customers will have access to a presale beginning Thursday, Feb. 24 at 10 a.m. PT. All presales will end Thursday, Feb. 24 at 10 p.m. PT. Tickets go on sale to the public Friday, Feb. 25 at 10 a.m. PT.

Following the huge success of their NETFLIX biopic THE DIRT, Mötley Crüe has seen a massive surge in new audience with fans around the world demanding the band tour again. This led to the band members reuniting and announcing that "Mötley Crüe is back" in 2019. While The Dirt caused a meteoric 350% increase in streams of Mötley Crüe's music across all platforms and the younger 18-44 demographic now represents 64% of the band’s fanbase most of the new fans have never seen any of the band's legendary live shows that Crüeheads have relished for 4 decades. In 2021, Mötley Crüe celebrated their 40th band anniversary, as well as the 40th birthday of their iconic debut album, TOO FAST FOR LOVE. The 35th anniversary of their GIRLS, GIRLS, GIRLS hit album is coming up on May 15. Mötley Crüe have sold over 100 million albums worldwide, achieving 7 platinum and multi-platinum albums, 9 Top 10 albums, 22 Top 40 Mainstream Rock hits, 6 Top 20 Pop singles and 3 GRAMMY nominations. The band have amassed close to 5 billion streams across digital platforms. They have over 15 million social media followers, a New York Times best-seller and a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. The band is ready to deliver an over the top stage show packed full of hit songs.   "It's on!  We don't think we've ever looked forward more to kicking off a tour than this one. We can't wait to finally see all the fans across North America again. Get ready for a wild ride this summer!" Mötley Crüe said in a joint statement.

ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES Def Leppard are one of the most important forces in rock music. In 2019, the icons closed out a sold-out worldwide tour including a North American stadium run & headlining the UK’s Download Festival to 90k screaming fans. Def Leppard’s star continues to rise and prevail. The band have amassed a staggering 5.5 billion streams since 2018, reaching a younger 18-44 demographic that now represents 58% of their fanbase. Additionally, the band have garnered an impressive 15 million followers across their social media platforms. Def Leppard also celebrates the landmark 45 th anniversary of their formation this year, marking 45 years of legendary rock ‘n’ roll history making. Def Leppard’s influential career crosses generations and includes 110 million records sold, numerous hit singles and ground-breaking multi-platinum albums—including two of the best-selling albums of all time, Pyromania and Hysteria, both of which are certified Diamond (10x platinum).

“On behalf of the band, we’re beyond thrilled that the stadium tour is finally happening this summer … it’s been a while coming and we can’t wait to get back on stage again & we can’t wait to see you in one of the many stadiums soon!” said Joe Elliott.

POISON will be bringing a rocking real and relevant no holds barred thunderous live show to the Stadium tour this summer with the all original lineup of Bret Michaels, C.C. DeVille, Bobby Dall and Rikki Rockett. POISON will be unleashing an onslaught of hit after hit songs in its set. The humanitarian of the year, two years running, Michaels along with POISON is known to bring a unique style of passionate high energy, sincere gratitude and a positive attitude.  Michaels engages all the fans and makes it an absolute epic ride of true live music. Together With C.C.Deville on guitar, Bobby Dall on bass, and Rikki Rockett on drums POISON will rock the stadium with a chemistry that will bring a big summer mega party vibe and Michaels promises to give 1000 % on the stage as the hotter it gets the harder POISON promises to rock!!!

Poison’s Bret Michaels also added: “There are not enough words to thank the three generations of fans for making this such an exciting, record breaking, historical tour with the fastest sell outs in history at these stadiums.”

Joan Jett grew up during a time when rock ‘n’ roll was off limits to girls and women, but as a teenager, she promptly blew the door to the boys’ club right off its hinges. After forming her band the Blackhearts in 1979, with whom Jett has become a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, she has had eight platinum and gold albums and nine Top 40 singles, including the classics "Bad Reputation," "I Love Rock 'N' Roll," "I Hate Myself For Loving You," and "Crimson and Clover." With a career that has spanned music, film, television, Broadway, and humanitarianism, Joan Jett remains a potent force and inspiration to generations of fans worldwide. As a producer, she has overseen seminal albums by Bikini Kill, and the Germs' LA punk masterpiece ‘GI.’ Jett and Kenny Laguna (her longtime producer and music partner) co-founded Blackheart Records from the trunk of Kenny’s Cadillac after rejections from no less than 23 labels. 40 years later, Blackheart is a thriving entertainment company producing music, film and television, and continues to champion emerging bands. Joan Jett and the Blackhearts continue touring the globe with headlining shows alongside fellow rock legends like The Who, Green Day, Heart, and Foo Fighters. After two COVID-19 postponements, the group will return to the road in summer 2022 for The Stadium Tour with Def Leppard, Motley Crue and Poison. 'Bad Reputation,' a documentary about Jett's life, premiered to critical acclaim at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival and is now available for streaming.

“We are so excited to be back out on the road! We missed doing what we love most and can’t wait to see the fans out there again!” said Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.

Emerging rock band Classless Act, signed to Better Noise Music, is set to open the tour. With the release of their single “Give It To Me” in 2021, the band has already received critical praise from the likes of rock media including SPIN, Loudwire, and more. Mötley Crüe’s Tommy Lee was an early follower of the band and is excited to have them join him and his bandmates on the road, saying,  "I remember when we went out with Ozzy in 1984 and how it was an insane game changer!! We literally blew up after having that opportunity to play live in front of 20,000 people every f***ing night! Since then, we’ve always felt it was important to help new bands; whether it was Guns N Roses, Skid Row or so many others. This summer we’re gonna help out Classless Act."

Mötley Crüe and Def Leppard - The Stadium Tour

Def leppard and motley crue will perform at allegiant stadium on friday, september 9, 2022. they will be joined by special guests poison and joan jett and the blackhearts., allegiant stadium, event starts 4:00 pm.

Def Leppard, Mötley Crüe Reunite for More Co-Headlining Stadium Shows This Summer

• By Daniel Kreps

Daniel Kreps

After finally embarking on their pandemic-postponed trek earlier this year, Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe will bring their co-headlining tour back to North American stadiums next summer. 

The two rock giants will be joined by Alice Cooper on the “The World Tour,” which — after a pair of Atlantic City shows in Feb. 2023 and a run of South American and European shows in the first half of the year — comes back stateside in August. 

HELLO AMERICA! Just Announced – New USA dates for The World Tour 2023🤘 Fri, 12/9 10am local – Rock Brigade Presale Tues, 12/13 10am local – Citi Presale Thurs, 12/15 10am – LN/Local/Venue Presale Fri, 12/16 10am local – Onsale Hit https://t.co/ZYjhEkG1YT for tix & info! pic.twitter.com/3vOMiUGhBX — Def Leppard (@DefLeppard) December 8, 2022

So far, the bands have only announced six dates, beginning Aug. 5 at Syracuse, New York’s JMA Wireless Dome and currently running through Aug. 18 at El Paso, Texas. Along the way, the tour will stop for the first-ever concert at Tulsa, Oklahoma’s new H.A. Chapman Stadium.

Mötley Crüe recently announced that longtime guitarist Mick Mars had retired from touring due to his continued battle with the debilitating disease ankylosing spondylitis; Rob Zombie guitarist John 5 joined the band as its new touring member.

“While change is never easy, we accept Mick’s decision to retire from the band due to the challenges with his health,” Mars’ former bandmates — Vince Neil, Nikki Sixx, and Tommy Lee — said in a joint statement in Oct. 

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Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe Tour Dates

August 5 – Syracuse, NY @ JMA Wireless Dome August 8 – Columbus, OH @ Ohio Stadium August 11 – Fargo, ND @ Fargodome August 13 – Omaha, NE @ Charles Schwab Field Omaha August 16 – Tulsa, OK @ H.A. Chapman Stadium August 18 – El Paso, TX @ Sun Bowl Stadium 

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Motley Crue + Def Leppard Will Tour the World Together in 2023

International fans of  Motley Crue and Def Leppard will get their chance to see the two bands together when the rock groups' joint 2022 North American "The Stadium Tour" becomes "The World Tour" for 2023.

The Stadium Tour kicked off in June  after being postponed twice  due to the COVID-19 pandemic . The trek featured supporting acts in  Poison ,  Joan Jett and the Blackhearts  and Classless Act .

Now, the world stage is calling the Crue and the Leppard.

Motley Crue said in a statement, "We had an incredible time playing The Stadium Tour in North America this summer and we truly can't wait to take the show around the globe with The World Tour in 2023. Crueheads in Latin America and Europe: Get ready! We're coming for you next and can't wait to finally see all of you out there again next year!"

Def Leppard singer Joe Elliott added, "After finally getting back on the road and having a monumental summer tour in the U.S. and Canada this year, we’re beyond thrilled to be bringing this massive stadium tour to major cities all over the world. … We're looking to forward to seeing you out there, somewhere soon!"

According to Billboard , The Stadium Tour  sold 1.3 million tickets this summer, earning a whopping $173.5 million. Read a young millennial's experience going to the concert .

Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee revealed at the first gig in June that he'd broken his ribs and would perform as much as he could, a fill-in subbing in for him. However, he played his first full set  later that month. Weeks later, the drummer exposed himself in a nude photo that was subsequently removed from social media. Lee later  poked fun at the situation .

See the upcoming tour dates below.

Def Leppard + Motley Crue 2023 World Tour Dates

Feb. 18, 2023 – Mexico City, Mexico @ Foro Sol Feb. 21, 2023 – Monterrey, Mexico @ Estadio Banorte Feb. 25, 2023 – Bogota, Colombia @ Parque Simon Bolivar Feb. 28, 2023 – Lima, Peru @ Estadio Nacional March 3, 2023 – Santiago, Chile @ Estadio Bicentenario March 7, 2023 – Sao Paulo, Brazil @ Allianz Parque March 9, 2023 – Curitiba, Brazil @ Estadio Couto Pereira March 11, 2023 – Porto Alegre, Brazil @ Arena do Gremio May 22, 2023 – Sheffield, England @ Bramall Lane May 25, 2023 – Monchengladbach, Germany @ Sparkassen May 27, 2023 – Munich, Germany @ Koenigsplatz May 29, 2023 – Budapest, Hungary @ MVM Dome May 31, 2023 – Krakow, Poland @ Tauron Arena June 2, 2023 – Prague, Czech Republic @ Prague Rocks June 3, 2023 – Hannover, Germany @ Expo Plaza June 7, 2023 – Solvesborg, Sweden @ Sweden Rock June 9, 2023 – Hyvinkaa, Finland @ RockFest June 11, 2023 – Trondheim, Norway @ Trondheim Rocks June 14, 2023 – Copenhagen, Denmark @ Copenhell June 18, 2023 – Dessel, Belgium @ Graspop June 20, 2023 – Milan, Italy @ Ippodromo June 23, 2023 – Lisbon, Portugal @ Passeio Maritimo June 24, 2023 – Rivas-Vaciamadrid, Spain @ Auditorio Rios June 27, 2023 – Thun, Switzerland @ Stockhorn Arena July 1, 2023 – London, England @ Wembley Stadium July 2, 2023 – Lytham, England @ Lytham Festival July 4, 2023 – Dublin, Ireland @ Marlay Park July 6, 2023 – Glasgow, Scotland @ Hampden Park

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Mötley Crüe, Def Leppard, and Alice Cooper Announce 2023 U.S. Tour Dates

By Jazz Monroe

After wrapping up a huge North American tour, Mötley Crüe and Def Leppard are extending their jaunt with a string of U.S. dates. Alice Cooper will support the dates. (Original support acts Joan Jett and Poison have bowed out.) Check out the dates below.

Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott said in a press release, “After finally getting back on the road this past summer, we’re beyond thrilled to bring this massive tour to a global audience including some special dates in America!”

Mötley Crüe added, “We had an incredible time playing The Stadium Tour in North America this summer and we truly can't wait to take the show around the globe with The World Tour in 2023. Crüeheads get ready because we have a few amazing U.S. dates set for you!”

In 2019, the year the tour was first announced, Def Leppard were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Read Pitchfork’s review of Mötley Crüe’s Netflix biopic, The Dirt .

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Def Leppard & Mötley Crüe:

08-05 Syracuse, NY - JMA Wireless Dome ^ 08-08 Columbus, OH - Ohio Stadium ^ 08-11 Fargo, ND - Fargodome ^ 08-13 Omaha, NE - Charles Schwab Field Omaha ^ 08-16 Tulsa, OK - H.A. Chapman Stadium ^ 08-18 El Paso, TX - Sun Bowl Stadium ^ 02-10 Atlantic City, NJ - Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena ^ 02-11 Atlantic City, NJ - Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena ^ 02-18 Mexico City, Mexico - Foro Sol ^ 02-21 Monterrey, Mexico - Estadio Banorte ^ 02-25 Bogotá, Colombia - Simón Bolívar Metropolitan Park ^ 02-28 Lima, Peru - Estadio Nacional ^ 03-03 Santiago, Chile - Estadio Bicentenario de La Florida ^ 03-07 São Paulo, Brazil - Allianz Parque ^ 05-22 Sheffield, England - Bramall Lane ^ 05-25 Mönchengladbach, Germany - SparkassenPark ^ 05-27 Munich, Germany - Koenigsplatz ^ 05-29 Budapest, Hungary - MVM Dome ^ 05-31 Krakow, Poland - Tauron Arena Kraków ^ 06-02 Prague, Czech Republic - Prague Rocks 06-03 Hannover, Germany - Expo Plaza ^ 06-07 Solvesborg, Sweden - Sweden Rock Festival 06-09 Hyvinkää, Finland - RockFest 06-11 Trondheim, Norway - Trondheim Rocks 06-14 Copenhagen, Denmark - Copenhell 06-18 Dessel, Belgium - Graspop Metal Meeting 06-20 Milan, Italy - Ippodromo SNAI San Siro ^ 06-23 Lisbon, Portugal - Passeio Maritimo de Alges ^ 06-24 Rivas-Vaciamadrid, Spain - Auditorio Miguel Ríos ^ 06-27 Thun, Switzerland - Stockhorn Arena ^ 07-01 London, England - Wembley Stadium ^ 07-02 Lytham, England - Lytham Festival 07-04 Dublin, Ireland - Marlay Park ^ 07-06 Glasgow, Scotland - Hampden Park ^

^ with Alice Cooper

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By Pitchfork

By Matthew Strauss

By Madison Bloom

By Nina Corcoran

Mötley Crüe, Def Leppard, Poison and Joan Jett rock in D.C. despite rain, lightning and broken ribs

WASHINGTON – Shortly after finishing a boisterous set of party-vibe rock anthems, Poison frontman Bret Michaels grinned as he expressed his feelings about the first few dates of The Stadium Tour.

“The fans are having a great time and we’re having a great time,” he said in his small “quick change” tent backstage, his red bandana soaked with sweat and his spirit still high from bouncing around the Nationals Park stage. “I’m letting everything hang out.”

He paused and laughed: “Wait, check that. I’m giving 1,000%. It’s nice to survive and thrive. The expectations (for this tour) were high and it’s exceeded my expectations.”

Three years of planning and two years delayed because of COVID-19, The Stadium Tour showcases the titans of ‘80s-era hard rock. Poison is the sandwich act on this massive rock circus that erupted in Atlanta on June 16 and will crisscross the country until wrapping in Las Vegas in September. Los Angeles-bred Classless Act kick-starts the six-hours of music, followed by the ageless Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, Poison and headliners Mötley Crüe  and Def Leppard , who flip-flop closing slots each show.

Paul McCartney turns 80: So naturally we ranked 80 of his best songs

Wednesday’s D.C. production in front of about 40,000 fans also marked the second of the first four dates disrupted by rain and lightning.

At the close of their stomp-along smash “Pour Some Sugar On Me,” Def Leppard singer Joe Elliott informed the audience that incoming bad weather necessitated a hasty end to their visually dazzling performance (“Pyromania” stingers “Rock of Ages” and “Photograph” remained).

With Mötley Crüe on deck to close the night, the majority of the crowd endured the 90-minute wait until the lightning – but not the rain – ceased and Motley stormed the stage with “Wild Side.” After all, fans hadn’t seen the band perform since 2015, when the quartet announced its clearly-not-binding “cessation of touring agreement.”

The Stadium Tour might be built on nostalgia, but the generations of fans wearing T-shirts of all of the acts indicated that the appeal stretches beyond Gen X-ers bred on MTV.

Here’s how the show unfolded.

Joan Jett and The Blackhearts

The unchanging Jett – still sporting a black shag and ebony attire – sliced through singalongs, including “I Hate Myself for Loving You,” “Bad Reputation” and her harmonious rendition of Tommy James and the Shondells’ “Crimson & Clover.” Backed by the potent Blackhearts, as well as stalwart manager/producer Kenny Laguna in his usual residence behind the keyboards, Jett delivered her songs with ferocity balanced by cool, a smile mixed with a sneer. The lone female on the tour (aside from the dancing girls/backup singers accompanying Motley Crue), Jett ruled her stage with stealth fierceness.

Is there a more genuine frontman in rock than Michaels? Bursting onto the catwalk jutting from the stage for the opening cruncher “Look What the Cat Dragged In,” Michaels employed his side-shimmy move, slapped the shoulders of guitarist C.C. DeVille – hair draped down his back – and engaged the crowd with his aerobic activity. An expert ringleader, Michaels had fans clapping overhead during “Ride the Wind” and frequently dropped to his knees on the wet ramp to smack hands with the faithful pressed against the stage.

DeVille grabbed his Flying V guitar for “Talk Dirty to Me,” its buzzing riff emblematic of Poison’s music – uncomplicated and fun.

As Michaels and DeVille entertained at the front of the stage, Rikki Rockett flipped his drumsticks throughout fan favorite “Fallen Angel,” while bassist Bobby Dall showcased his anchor role on the bottom-heavy “Unskinny Bop.”

Michaels shouted out the military veterans in the crowd before the band’s signature ballad, “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” – the audience singing along heartily - before ending the musical party with “Nothin’ But a Good Time,” a rational closer for this rock ‘n’ roll revelry.

Bret Michaels 'still rocking': Poison frontman talks touring, health and bandanas

Def Leppard

Beneath their visual array of lasers and super-sized video screens, Def Leppard unveiled a set list that tapped deep into their 40-year catalog.

Singer Joe Elliott, a silver fox in his natty jackets, led the quintet through “Animal” and “Foolin’” before springing into the most delectable song on the band’s new “Diamond Star Halos” album, the ultra-catchy “Kick.”

Bassist Rick Savage and guitarists Vivian Campbell and Phil Collen – whose admirable torso still gets its own spotlight – provided the honeyed harmonies on the band’s layered offerings, and drummer Rick Allen, wearing his trademark Union Jack headphones, powered with unrelenting enthusiasm. 

Elliott sounded particularly strong on “Bringin’ on the Heartbreak,” a song that still swoons and soars, and the gliding shuffle that is “Rocket.”

However, it might be time to retire “Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad,” a beautiful ache of a ballad that for years has sounded off-key when performed live.  

Fortunately, Def Leppard squeezed in their epic “Hysteria,” which was accompanied by a video scrapbook of the band’s legacy, including their 2019 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction , and mega-size newspaper headlines underscoring their endurance. Elliott looked very “A Clockwork Orange” in his black bowler hat and red and black-striped jacket, still effortlessly cool as he commanded the stage.

Motley Crue

The curved steel staging was erected long before the band was able to take the stage, giving fans hope through the rain that Motley Crue would indeed appear.

A faux news bulletin intro bled into the opening slammer, “Wild Side,” the stage alight in red as singer Vince Neil, bassist Nikki Sixx , drummer Tommy Lee and guitarist Mick Mars thundered through the menacing hit.

The band – primarily the bass and drums – often overpowered Neil’s vocals, particularly on the rumble-to-a-roar “Shout at the Devil."

Lee slammed away at his kit with his usual wild man abandon, so it was no surprise when he reminded fans after three songs about his four broken ribs that prevented him from playing most of the set. Tommy Clufetos, a veteran of Ozzy Osbourne’s band, hopped in starting with the sweeter sounds of “Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away).” He’s a terrific sticksman, but Lee’s personality was missed (as his departing gesture, he tossed spare ribs into the front rows while sharing, with many expletives, how much pain his injury was causing him).

Neil’s voice vacillated between barely discernable (“Too Fast For Love”) and surprisingly supple (“Live Wire”); frenetic strobes, scissoring red and white lights and sheer adrenaline covered for a lot of his vocal shortcomings.

Was it a perfect Crue? No. But there’s a lot of “Dr. Feelgood” when the band is unleashed live.  

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The Lep Report

Indulge in Def Leppard!

Def Leppard Motley Crue Stadium Tour/World Tour (Latest News)

Last updated on April 13, 2024

DEF LEPPARD STADIUM TOUR — LATEST NEWS UPDATES:

Def Leppard & Journey have announced The Summer Stadium Tour 2024 ! Supporting acts will rotate between Heart, Cheap Trick, and Steve Miller Band.

Note: Def Leppard will also have select standalone concert dates during the tour, such as the recently announced shows at the Hard Rock Live (August 9 in Davie, FL), the Spokane Arena (September 6 in Spokane, WA), and the Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre (September 10 in West Valley City, UT).

Stadium Tour 2024 dates and ticket link options are below. (Use coupon code “lepreport10” to get 10% off any Ticket Network order!)

• July 6 – St. Louis, MO (Busch Stadium) w/Cheap Trick Tickets are available right now here: Ticket Network | StubHub
• July 10 – Orlando, FL (Camping World Stadium) w/Cheap Trick Tickets are available right now here: Ticket Network | StubHub
• July 13 – Atlanta, GA (Truist Park) w/Steve Miller Band Tickets are available right now here: Ticket Network | StubHub
• July 15 – Chicago, IL (Wrigley Field) w/Steve Miller Band Tickets are available right now here: Ticket Network | StubHub
• July 18 – Detroit, MI (Comerica Park) w/Steve Miller Band Tickets are available right now here: Ticket Network | StubHub
• July 20 – Nashville, TN (Nissan Stadium) w/Steve Miller Band Tickets are available right now here: Ticket Network | StubHub
• July 23 – Philadelphia, PA (Citizens Bank Park) w/Steve Miller Band Tickets are available right now here: Ticket Network | StubHub
• July 25 – Hershey, PA (Hersheypark Stadium) w/Steve Miller Band Tickets are available right now here: Ticket Network | StubHub
• July 27 – Pittsburgh, PA (PNC Park) w/Steve Miller Band Tickets are available right now here: Ticket Network | StubHub
• July 30 – Cleveland, OH (Progressive Field) w/Heart Tickets are available right now here: Ticket Network | StubHub
• August 2 – Toronto, ON (Rogers Centre) w/Heart Tickets are available right now here: Ticket Network | StubHub
• August 5 – Boston, MA (Fenway Park) w/Heart Tickets are available right now here: Ticket Network | StubHub
• August 7 – Flushing, NY (Citi Field) w/Steve Miller Band Tickets are available right now here: Ticket Network | StubHub
• August 9 – Davie, FL (Hard Rock Live) (Def Leppard only) Tickets are available right now here: Ticket Network | StubHub
• August 12 – Arlington, TX (Globe Life Field) w/Steve Miller Band Tickets are available right now here: Ticket Network | StubHub
• August 14 – Houston, TX (Minute Maid Park) w/Steve Miller Band Tickets are available right now here: Ticket Network | StubHub
• August 16 – San Antonio, TX (Alamodome) w/Steve Miller Band Tickets are available right now here: Ticket Network | StubHub
• August 19 – Minneapolis, MN (Target Field) w/Steve Miller Band Tickets are available right now here: Ticket Network | StubHub
• August 23 – Phoenix, AZ (Chase Field) w/Steve Miller Band Tickets are available right now here: Ticket Network | StubHub
• August 25 – Los Angeles, CA (SoFi Stadium) w/Steve Miller Band Tickets are available right now here: Ticket Network | StubHub
• August 28 – San Francisco, CA (Oracle Park) w/Steve Miller Band Tickets are available right now here: Ticket Network | StubHub
• August 30 – San Diego, CA (Petco Park) w/Steve Miller Band Tickets are available right now here: Ticket Network | StubHub
• September 2 – Portland, OR (Moda Center) Tickets are available now here: Ticket Network | StubHub
• September 4 – Seattle, WA (T-Mobile Park) w/Cheap Trick Tickets are available right now here: Ticket Network | StubHub
• September 6 – Spokane, WA (Spokane Arena) (Def Leppard only, Special guest: JBLZE – Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening) Tickets are available now here: Ticket Network | StubHub
• September 8 – Denver, CO (Coors Field) w/Cheap Trick Tickets are available right now here: Ticket Network | StubHub
• September 10 – West Valley City, UT (Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre) (Def Leppard only, Special guest: JBLZE – Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening) Tickets are available now here: Ticket Network | StubHub

LATEST 2024 STADIUM TOUR UPDATES:

• Def Leppard has a brand new song that will be revealed soon — just in time for the band’s 2024 Stadium Tour (and refreshed concert setlist)! Rick Savage revealed the news tidbit during an interview with Stereogum :

“This is hot off the press, but we have just mastered a one-off single, and playing on it is Tom Morello from Rage Against The Machine, who was a huge fan back in the day when he was growing up. High ‘n’ Dry was like his Bible. He’s playing a solo on our new single, it’s going to be out there pretty soon.”

Sav recently posted on his Instagram account that the band had been working on a new setlist for the 2024 Stadium Tour with Journey, adding that it will include “a brand new song” and, in acknowledgment of Def Leppard’s new 40th anniversary Pyromania release , “we’ll be throwing a few more of those tracks in as well.” He also teased that their updated Stadium Tour setlist would include “a song we’ve never played live before.”

• Celebrate and commemorate Def Leppard, The Stadium Tour & much more: Visit   LiveLoveLep.com or click on a shirt below to check out numerous unique t-shirts, tank tops, mugs, and more!

Read more  news about the Def Leppard/Journey Summer Stadium Tour 2024 here !

Quick links:

• “I GOT SOMETHING TO SAY” book is here ! • Def Leppard’s ‘Definitely’ book is here ! • Def Leppard’s ‘Drastic Symphonies’ album is here ! • Def Leppard merchandise and more gift ideas are  here ! • Ticket links for numerous concert tours (including the Def Leppard/Journey tour) are here !

PREVIOUS DEF LEPPARD/MOTLEY CRUE WORLD TOUR UPDATES:

• The World Tour 2023 has wrapped up — at least until 2024, according to Vince Neil .
• Concert reviews from the World Tour 2023’s final shows in Australia: The Age reviewed the Melbourne show ( “If the Crue have spent their decades living it up, Def Leppard have spent that time practicing…” ), Hot Metal Mag reviewed the Sydney show ( “In contrast with Def Leppard’s breezy, easy going and wide-eyed fun, Mötley Crüe was spiky, jagged and disjointed.” ), TheMusic.com.au reviewed the Brisbane show ( “One of the night’s most powerful moments would easily have been experiencing the raw grit and power of drummer Rick Allen’s solo in the spotlight…” )
• If you REALLY want to indulge in much more Def Leppard, check out this must-read book featuring extensive, in-depth analysis of the band’s studio album and single releases, never-before-told stories ‘from the inside,’ never-before-seen photos, tribute chapters spotlighting Steve Clark, Joe Elliott, and Mutt Lange, and so much more!
• Def Leppard’s setlist remained the same for 2023’s final shows in Japan and Australia:

Take What You Want Let’s Get Rocked Animal Foolin’ Armageddon It Kick Love Bites Promises This Guitar When Love and Hate Collide Rocket Bringin’ On the Heartbreak Switch 625 (w/drum solo) Hysteria Pour Some Sugar on Me Rock of Ages Photograph

PREVIOUS WORLD TOUR UPDATES:

• U.S. World Tour concert reviews: The Columbus Dispatch review (“Motley Crue a bit sluggish, Def Leppard pleases crowd at Ohio Stadium”), InForum.com review (“Def Leppard still ‘Bringin’ on the Heartbreak’ while Mötley Crüe has ‘Looks That Kill’ at Fargodome show”)
• The Guardian posted a concert review of The World Tour’s Bramall Lane, Sheffield show. (Snippet from the review: “On this co-headline tour, Mötley Crüe are crass and limp, and then shown up all the more by the triumphant power of Def Leppard’s homecoming…”)
• If you’re looking for concert tickets, a large list of tour options can be found here . You can also quickly search for tickets in the handy box below:

PREVIOUS — MORE WORLD TOUR UPDATES:

• During Def Leppard’s break from The World Tour, the band released their new album “Def Leppard: Drastic Symphonies (With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra).” Read all about it here .
• Rick Allen discussed Mick Mars’s decision to no longer tour with Motley Crue. Read more about it here . (An interview with drummer Carmine Appice , a good friend of Mick Mars, provides a very different take on the situation. There has also been some back and forth between Carmine and Nikki Sixx about it since then.)
• Mick Mars is suing Motley Crue, alleging the band is trying to “gaslight” and fire him. The lawsuit also alleges Motley Crue members mimed some, if not all, parts during the Def Leppard/Motley Crue 2022 Stadium Tour. Read all the latest updates here .
• Rick Allen was physically assaulted outside the Four Seasons in Florida on March 13, where he had been staying for Def Leppard’s Hollywood, FL show at that Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (the final tour date for The World Tour’s first leg). Read the latest information (and watch the video of his recent appearance on ‘Good Morning America’ discussing the assault) here .
• Joe Elliott discussed Def Leppard’s World Tour setlist in an interview, and whether including several new songs from the band’s Diamond Star Halos album is “overindulgent.” Read about it here .

PREVIOUS STADIUM/WORLD TOUR UPDATES:

• The first leg of the 2023 Def Leppard/Motley Crue World Tour wrapped up on March 12 in Hollywood, Florida. Def Leppard did not change their setlist for the show — it was the same one they’ve used since the start of the World Tour.
• Def Leppard (and Nikki Sixx, etc.) posted on their social media that the Def Leppard/Motley Crue World Tour is heading to Japan fall 2023.
• The Stadium/World Tour will reportedly return to the U.S. in 2024, according to a Las Vegas Review-Journal report/interview with Vince Neil.
• Nikki Sixx has said that 120 more shows are planned and a tour for 2024 was forthcoming. (“…another 120 next year and the year after that.” — ET Online )
• Joe Elliott mentioned The Stadium Tour/The World Tour will travel to Europe and beyond in 2023. Louder
• Read an in-depth write-up about Def Leppard’s latest album ‘Diamond Star Halos,’ The Stadium Tour, and the current state of Def Leppard here .
• Def Leppard fans! If you REALLY want to indulge in Def Leppard, check out the must-read book “I GOT SOMETHING TO SAY! (Collections, Recollections & Personal Reflections About Def Leppard).” It includes extensive write-ups and in-depth analysis of the band’s studio albums and numerous singles, as well as tribute chapters spotlighting Joe Elliott, Steve Clark, and producer “Mutt” Lange. Plus, never-before-told personal stories, never-before-seen pictures, and more!

PREVIOUS STADIUM TOUR UPDATES:

• If you would like to read a Stadium Tour 2022 concert review, here’s one from the Chicago Tribune which not only sums up the show nicely but also ties in well with the original post below. (On a related note, Phil Soussan — who is a member of Vivian Campbell’s side band Last In Line — criticized Motley Crue’s Stadium Tour Las Vegas performance on social media (“never seen a place empty out so fast after only a few songs”) after praising Poison (“nothing but a good time”) and Def Leppard (“spectacular and pristine”)…but quickly took it back and apologized to Nikki Sixx). Here’s a review of the tour’s Los Angeles show . More Stadium Tour concert reviews: Cleveland , Arizona , and another one for Los Angeles .

FYI: The thoughts & opinions critiquing The Stadium Tour in the post below were written soon after the tour was originally announced in late 2019. Enjoy!

After weeks of rumors, it’s finally official: Def Leppard, Mötley Crüe, Poison, and Joan Jett & The Blackhearts are going on tour together.

“The Stadium Tour” (as it’s officially called) will be traveling across the U.S. and parts of Canada. (Tour dates and ticket information can be found here .)

I’d like to add another word: Why?

Questioning this tour — specifically, a Def Leppard, Motley Crue tour — may be unpopular, but from a Def Leppard fan perspective, I ask again: Why?

I’m sure some can easily come up with financially motivated reasons, but I digress.

Let’s really dig deep and delve into this tour event!

Def Leppard, Motley Crue Stadium Tour: Do You Really, Really Want To Do This Tour?

Even though this site is Def Leppard-centric (obviously), that’s not to say yours truly has anything against Mötley Crüe’s catalog of music.

But why pair up Def Leppard with Mötley Crüe, and why do it now?

No doubt a Def Leppard, Motley Crue tour package is a concert promoter’s dream. Well-known acts, each with large fan bases who will happily pay to take part in the concert event.

And though I’m not here to speak for Mötley Crüe fans, let’s take a look at their band’s “return” to touring.

Cessation From The Cessation

If Mötley Crüe hadn’t made such an extravaganza of their “Cessation of Touring” contract — a publicity stunt in hindsight — it might be a bit easier to buy into their return, let alone for this new tour.

Just a bit.

Press conferences with gravestones, posing with their signed “Cessation of Touring” contract, etc., etc., etc.

That’s NOT to say many aren’t genuinely surprised their farewell tour was for not, but that doesn’t mean some of their fans don’t feel duped, sadly, at the expense of their own band.

And who can blame them, especially when Mötley Crüe’s members REPEATEDLY assured everyone that their farewell tour was truly their last?

Some notable quotes from Nikki Sixx:

“There are people in this band who will refuse to ever do it again, and you’re talking to one of them.”

“There is no amount of money that would ever make me do it again because I have such pride in how we’re ending it.”

“We want to have some dignity.” (during the “Cessation of Touring” contract signing)

“If we did agree [to another tour] , the way we’ve set it up…we’d have so much egg on our face. We have so much pride that that alone would stop it.”

And just a quick counterpoint to those quotes from Def Leppard’s Phil Collen (from earlier this year):

“We are having an Indian summer and it’s because we have this integrity. We never stopped, actually, in the 40-odd years that the band’s been together. We just keep going through thick and thin, all the bad stuff, good stuff. And I think that shows, and we’re just enjoying this Indian summer.”

Moving right along.

The Dirt on… The Dirt

This article is ultimately about Def Leppard (we’ll get there, I promise), but I need to revisit one of the marketing angles Mötley Crüe has been using to validate their return to touring, in addition to comments made by Mötley Crüe’s manager.

Mötley Crüe has been saying as a result of the MASSIVE success of the band’s Netflix movie The Dirt , a whole new “generation” of Mötley Crüe fans — who missed out on seeing the band live — are demanding their return.

Ok, let’s go with that for a moment.

How long had it been since Mötley Crüe’s last “farewell” tour date?

Less than four years.

47 months, give or take a few days.

A little over 34,000 hours.

No wonder that iron-clad agreement was blown up — a “generation” of fans missed out on seeing the band’s last tour in…2015!

But let’s put that aside.

Was this supposed newfound demand for Mötley Crüe’s return really due to The Dirt ‘s “massive” success (and new tracks added to the film’s soundtrack), which they said resulted in the band becoming “more popular than ever”?

Maybe Mötley Crüe’s cover of Madonna’s “Like A Virgin” will make it onto their Stadium Tour setlist for the “legion of new fans” who only know them from The Dirt — after all, it is on the soundtrack .

Maybe, maybe not.

There’s absolutely no doubt a large portion of Mötley Crüe fans — new and old — are ecstatic that their band is coming back to tour.

But mixed feelings are understandable, too.

And while some question Vince Neil’s vocal abilities, if Mötley Crüe truly feels their return is due to overwhelming fan demand, it’s absolutely their decision and prerogative.

More power to them. Let Mötley Crüe be Mötley Crüe.

But why pull Def Leppard into this tour scenario?

But would a stadium tour have been warranted if Mötley Crüe went out on their own reunion tour?

Maybe that gargantuan legion of new fans from The Dirt isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. (Discussing The Dirt during an interview , Mötley Crüe’s manager Allen Kovac touted “tens of millions of people saw the film,” adding “I think the data is equal to [Martin Scorsese’s movie] The Irishman. ” Yet The Dirt wasn’t even included in Netflix’s Top 10 most popular movies of 2019 , which included The Irishman at #5.)

Separately, Poison’s Bret Michaels said in an interview that he worked on making a Def Leppard, Mötley Crüe tour happen “for years.” If true, that also doesn’t mesh with the narrative that Mötley Crüe reconsidered their “Cessation of Touring” only after The Dirt ‘s success.

I think some Mötley Crüe fans would have been more accepting if the band was more on the level about why they were returning.

Why not go back out on the road with their own “Nevermind!” tour?

Some honesty and levity would probably go a long way.

Def Leppard Motley Crue Stadium Tour: Who’s REALLY Headlining?

A rumor that floated around the web prior to the official tour announcement was that Mötley Crüe would be headlining “The Stadium Tour.”

Since then, it’s been announced that it will be a “co-headlining tour” with Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe switching off on who closes the show in certain cities.

“Headlining” is a subjective term though — realistically, it’s the bands’ paydays (among other things) that will ultimately determine which band is TRULY considered and rewarded as the headliner.

Based on the information that made the rounds online prior to the tour’s announcement, it was revealed that the concert payday will allegedly be 2-to-1 in favor of Mötley Crüe over Def Leppard . Put another way, Mötley Crüe is being paid twice as much — double! — what Def Leppard is earning.

It’s interesting (and not surprising) to see how a more balanced approach is being taken publicly, alternating each band’s logo placement in marketing materials.

For example, Def Leppard’s official newsletter announcement features top placement for Def Leppard!

Just a minute.

Did you notice which band is listed first in the Stadium Tour official press release announcement? It’s Mötley Crüe.

How about the poster art which was included with the Stadium Tour’s press release?

The top left priority placement went to Mötley Crüe.

Ok, how about having a “neutral” party be the deciding factor? Live Nation (the concert’s promoter) sent out an e-mail about the tour announcement.

Which band received priority (top left) placement in Live Nation’s e-mail graphic and messaging? Mötley Crüe.

All of these materials are extensively thought through, legally decided, and approved.

So what does this mean?

Frankly, it means that Mötley Crüe and their management are marketing geniuses: their non-farewell “farewell” tour worked out splendidly and to their advantage. They monetized their farewell to the hilt and generated a whole new level of interest to exploit “reuniting” merely a few years later.

They even made sure to time “The Stadium Tour” announcement with a newly created social media “Mötley Crüe is Back” hashtag (presented in the form of an image ) to encourage fans to utilize the hashtag and get it trending.

The Real Dirt on The Dirt

It’s quite interesting that Mötley Crüe’s manager had been touting his band’s successes in the months prior to The Stadium Tour announcement, calling out bands from the ’80s era — and specifically Def Leppard and Poison — saying they were no longer on the radio charts . He also went on to say that only a few select bands from that earlier era still have the ability to accomplish that feat, namely Metallica and, of course, Mötley Crüe.

So let’s really take a look at the recent success Mötley Crüe has enjoyed, and whether that popularity is potentially inflated.

The Dirt soundtrack (an album mostly comprised of the band’s greatest hits) debuted on Billboard ‘s top albums chart at #10. (It was the band’s first top 10 album in more than a decade.)

In its first week, 15,000 albums of the soundtrack were sold, and after mixing in digital sales, the total came out to a little less than 30,000 units in equivalent album sales.

For sake of comparison, Def Leppard’s 2015 studio album (the self-titled Def Leppard ) sold 30,000 copies in its first week. It was also a top 10 album but was comprised of all-new music (not a greatest hits release).

Following The Dirt Netflix premiere, there was boasting that the band’s catalog album sales soared 683% (according to Billboard ), but let’s put that in perspective by calling out another data point that is conveniently overlooked: Billboard also noted that the band’s album sales the week prior to the premiere totaled only 2,000 units.

So a catalog sales increase of nearly 700% is quite impressive, but much less so when it’s calculated off of a base amount that’s practically non-existent.

Gotta love marketing and PR spin!

The movie’s title song “The Dirt (Est. 1981)” ended up reaching the top 10 on Billboard ‘s niche Mainstream Rock Songs chart. (Mötley Crüe last appeared on that chart’s Top 10 with “ Saints of Los Angeles ,” which achieved an even higher rank, reaching #5 in 2008.)

I’m going to stop there in terms of chart analysis even though further points can be made to dispute Mötley Crüe’s stance about them being “more popular than ever” as a result of The Dirt .

In the end, Mötley Crüe can do as they please, and they can go about their reunion with whatever storyline they feel suits them best, but from a Def Leppard perspective, it is so unnecessary for the boys from Sheffield to partake in the spectacle.

Def Leppard: Welcome To The Carnival

Def Leppard practically tours yearly (pre-pandemic), riding the wave of a resurgence that’s elevated the band to a whole new level of notoriety four decades into their career.

One of the most thrilling aspects of their “Sin City” Las Vegas residency was that they shook up — or, at the least, began to shake up — their concert setlist. (You can read all about it here .)

This helped refresh the band’s live show, especially for fans who frequently see them on tour.

Now, a Def Leppard, Motley Crue tour (“co-headlining” or not) puts limitations on the band’s setlist once again, as they’ll have a shorter timeslot (likely 90 minutes or less) to work from — regardless of which band closes out the show.

That’s a shame.

Joe Elliott confirmed this in an interview with RollingStone.com :

“We’re not going to be digging into deep tracks, album cuts, and obscure B-sides like we tended to do when we did the Vegas residencies.”

He also went on to describe The Stadium Tour this way:

“We’re trying to turn these shows into a mini-festival… we’re all from the same genre. Most people that like that kind of thing saw us day after day on MTV in the Eighties.  Our journeys have gone in different directions since then, but synchronicity pulls us back together once again.”

The word “synchronicity” really stands out in Joe’s comment, and therein lies another point worth making.

There’s no doubt Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe have crossover fans, but I wouldn’t call putting these two bands on tour together a match made in heaven.

Other bands would have meshed much better with Def Leppard and their fanbase, all the while creating a high-profile tour attraction.

So without further ado, let’s have some fun…and imagine what could have been better 2020 Def Leppard tour options.

An Open Letter To Def Leppard & Their Management

Here are several other 2020 proposed tour packages that would have been just as, if not more, appealing to Def Leppard fans .

1) Def Leppard and Bon Jovi

I know many passionate fans take sides in a Def Leppard vs. Bon Jovi matchup , and there is a spirited, friendly competition between the two bands, but there’s no denying touring together would have complemented one another’s body of work and their fanbases.

It would be newsworthy, memorable, and definitely provide a lot of excitement…and synchronicity!

2) Def Leppard and Whitesnake

It’s been done internationally, so why not a full-fledged U.S. tour?

Pairing up the two bands would not only be a powerhouse concert lineup, but it would also be a must-see tour for both bands’ collective fanbases.

By the way, I have no issue with Poison (or Joan Jett & The Blackhearts) being part of next year’s summer tour. That said, I would also have no issue with including other bands in their place to make this type of hypothetical tour event even more special.

There are plenty of noteworthy bands to choose from that concertgoers would love to see be part of a Def Leppard/Whitesnake (or Bon Jovi) tour: Cinderella, Skid Row (with Sebastian Bach returning, of course), L.A. Guns, Tesla, etc.

Take your pick!

A tour package overflowing with “synchronicity.”

3) Def Leppard, Queen, and The Struts

Def Leppard has spoken countless times about Queen’s musical influence. To have Queen be part of a Def Leppard tour, performing the songs beloved by so many fans (including Def Leppard) would be a wonderful, celebratory event in and of itself.

That’s why it would also be so fitting if The Struts — a band Joe Elliott has sung the praises of countless times — was the opening act.

Unique, unforgettable, crackling with glam rock energy, and something many fans would thoroughly enjoy being a part of.

“We Will, We Will Rock You…Till You Drop!”

4) Def Leppard and Scorpions

How fitting would it have been if Def Leppard — who once opened for Scorpions in 1980 in support of their On Through The Night album — returned the favor?

“Synchronicity” galore!

Call it the “ The Rhythm of Love Bites ” tour.” How about the “ Rocket Like A Hurricane ” tour?

Ok, kidding aside, the point is there would be great synergy — from the music to the bands, to the fans in attendance. All would complementary.

Now let’s change gears for just a moment…

Def Leppard and… Journey?

Def Leppard and Journey already hooked up for a very successful “stadium tour.”

Their 2018 tour grossed nearly $100 million and sold over 1 million tickets .

How about Journey reuniting with Steve Perry and going out on tour with Def Leppard? Now that would be a completely different type of Def Leppard and Journey tour!

But, wait, you know what? A Journey/Steve Perry reunion tour wouldn’t necessarily need Def Leppard on the bill: Steve Perry reuniting with Journey could survive — and thrive! — touring on their own.

The same goes for why Def Leppard isn’t touring with KISS ( on their latest farewell tour ) again, or a reunited Guns ‘n’ Roses for their “Not In This Lifetime…” tour .

Because, frankly, neither band needs “a Def Leppard” on their bill.

This brings us full circle: Mötley Crüe should not have to be on a shared bill with Def Leppard. They should be able to go at it alone — after all, they’re “more popular than ever,” right?

That being said, the same applies to Def Leppard: They can go it alone, too.

This brings us to the fifth and final proposed tour, and it’s in response to those that have called the Def Leppard, Mötley Crüe, Poison, and Joan Jett tour a welcomed “nostalgia act.”

There’s a much better nostalgic option for Def Leppard fans.

5) Def Leppard: In-The-Round In-Your-Face Again

So many concertgoers who experienced it decades ago loved it, while newer generations of fans missed out and never had the chance to witness it themselves.

Well, this would be their chance.

While we’re at it, bring back any number of the bands that were originally part of Def Leppard’s Hysteria tour to be part of the extravaganza: Tesla, Cinderella, L.A. Guns, Europe.

That would be quite a must-see event.

Granted, an in-the-round concert is physically challenging for Def Leppard — it was even a workout back in their Hysteria tour days — but this proposed in-the-round return is not based around a massive 200+ date tour that lasts years.

It could be treated as a limited-time event, spaced out to provide the band with adequate rest between dates and arenas — that’s right, arenas, not stadiums. Arenas will allow the band to reach more cities (and fans) who can partake in the special event.

I can go on about some of the exciting, jaw-dropping, nostalgic things Def Leppard could do to really amplify this type of in-the-round event, but I’ll leave it at that for now.

In the end, no matter the age of Def Leppard’s concertgoers, an in-the-round stage show would be worth experiencing at least one last time.

Def Leppard, Motley Crue Stadium Tour: Final Thoughts

If you’ve read any number of posts on this site, you’re used to seeing Def Leppard’s “brand” and promotional strategies over the decades analyzed and even scrutinized .

I assure you that any and all critiques come from a good place. (By the way, if you really want to go in-depth and indulge in Def Leppard, check out this must-read book !)

That being said, I believe any of the proposed tours listed above would reward and benefit Def Leppard and its legacy, not to mention the band’s fans.

With all due respect, this “co-headlining” tour potentially tarnishes Def Leppard’s brand a bit and doesn’t allow the band to shine to its full potential, especially at this point in its stellar career.

But it didn’t have to be done this way.

Mötley Crüe should have known better, from the narrative they fed their fans about never ever touring again, to the reasoning they chose to use to reunite so quickly .

And Def Leppard could have done better for themselves and for their fans.

There were better touring options worth exploring.

Much, much better.

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Here Is The First Official Photo Of MÖTLEY CRÜE's New Lineup

John 5 has taken to social media to share the first official photo of MÖTLEY CRÜE 's new lineup, taken by legendary rock photographer Ross Halfin . Check out his post below.

MÖTLEY CRÜE held its first rehearsal with the former ROB ZOMBIE and MARILYN MANSON guitarist on January 23 in preparation for the band's upcoming shows with DEF LEPPARD . A short time later, MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx took to his Twitter to write: "Well that was fucking epic.

"@john5guitarist walks into rehearsal and we just rip the set from top to bottom seamlessly. That took 90 minute's and then the next few hours we just laughed and told dumb rockstar war stories.

"@MotleyCrue DAY 1".

He followed that up with an Instagram Story post thanking the band's crew and gushing that "today sounded insane."

John 5 joined CRÜE as the replacement for founding guitarist Mick Mars , who announced last October he would no longer tour with the legendary rock act because of his long struggles with degenerative disease ankylosing spondylitis. Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that causes inflammation in the spine joints and ligaments and can lead to stiffness over time, according to the National Institute Of Arthritis And Musculoskeletal And Skin Diseases.

In October, Sixx praised John 5 , saying he "checks all the boxes" as Mars 's replacement following the latter's decision to retire from touring. Sixx commented on John 5 's addition to CRÜE while answering fan questions on Twitter . Asked why the band chose John 5 , who is one of the credited co-writers on the three original songs on CRÜE 's "The Dirt" soundtrack, Sixx said: "He checks all the boxes. He's a insane player. Has respect for our music, is funny as fuck and has history with us and we've written some pretty big hits together."

Sixx also addressed Mars 's announcement that he was retiring from touring, saying: "He's been a soldier along with us for 4 decades. We will continue to carrying our legacy to Generations of fans and honor Mick s request for us to keep touring as Motley Crue ."

In addition to co-writing the three songs on "The Dirt" , John 5 collaborated with Sixx and Desmond Child on Meat Loaf 's "The Monster Is Loose" . In 2021, Sixx and John 5 launched the L.A. RATS supergroup in which they were joined by Rob Zombie and drummer Tommy Clufetos .

The 71-year-old Mars — whose real name is Robert Alan Deal — served as MÖTLEY CRÜE 's lead guitarist since the band's inception in 1981.

In his statement, Mick said that he had decided to step back from live shows due to his "ongoing painful struggle" with ankylosing spondylitis and while he will continue to be a member of the band, he cannot "handle the rigors" of touring life.

Speculation about John 5 replacing Mars gained strength after the longtime ROB ZOMBIE guitarist failed to appear with the shock rocker at last year's Aftershock festival in Sacramento. Rob was instead joined on stage by returning guitarist Mike Riggs for the first time since 2006.

MÖTLEY CRÜE 's "The Stadium Tour" with DEF LEPPARD , POISON and JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS was originally scheduled to take place in the summer of 2020 but ended up being pushed back to 2021, and then to 2022, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

After selling more than 1.3 million tickets in 2022, MÖTLEY CRÜE and DEF LEPPARD and are going global in 2023 with their co-headline "The World Tour" along with special guest Alice Cooper . After the launch of European and Latin American dates, the U.S. dates will take place in August.

Produced by Live Nation , the U.S. leg of the world tour kicks off on August 5 in Syracuse, New York. The bands will bring their electrifying stage shows across America throughout the month of August including being the first-ever show at the H.A. Chapman Stadium in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

In November, MÖTLEY CRÜE and DEF LEPPARD announced two U.S. shows for February 2023. The two bands will play at the 7,000-capacity Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena in Atlantic City, New Jersey on February 10 and February 11.

The Atlantic City shows will mark MÖTLEY CRÜE 's first U.S. live appearances since Mick 's retirement announcement.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by john5official (@john5official)

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Related tags, here’s the first look at the new mötley crüe lineup, featuring john 5.

The former Rob Zombie guitarist has also shown off the guitars he will be using for the band’s upcoming live performances.

Image: Ross Halfin

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Mötley Crüe have taken to social media to share the first official photograph of their new lineup – featuring John 5 as the replacement for original guitarist, Mick Mars .

• READ MORE: Zakk Wylde addresses Pantera gig cancellations: “There’s nothing I can do about that”

The image was posted to Instagram by the band’s bassist Nikki Sixx on Saturday (4 February) – providing fans with a glimpse at the newly-assembled Mötley Crüe lineup.

“Ready to hit the road… The World Tour 2023,” the caption read, also tagging the members and giving credit to their photographer, Ross Halfin.

This is the first time that the band have been photographed together with John 5 as the new member.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nikki Sixx (@nikkisixxpixx)

The former Rob Zombie guitarist was enlisted as the replacement for Mick Mars, following his departure from the band last year.

Mars, who co-founded the band in 1981, announced that he would be retiring from touring in October, following numerous health reasons. Suffering from degenerative disease Ankylosing Spondylitis for many years, the seventy-one-year-old is still regarded as a member of Mötley Crüe, but simply no longer performing with the band.

Following the announcement, John 5 made an official statement , confirming that he was “honoured to carry on Mick’s legacy” and would be joining the band for their upcoming worldwide tour.

The stint of live performances will kick off this Friday (10 February) in New Jersey, find a full list of dates on the band’s website .

Last week (31 January), the guitarist also took to social media to showcase the gear he will be taking with him for the live shows.

For the most part, the rig consisted of various Floyd Rose-equipped Telecasters – often seen in his weekly Mötley Crüe covers – and a range of Boss pedals and Marshall cabinets.

Find the full list of gear mentioned in the video below.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by john5official (@john5official)

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Mötley Crüe’s Vince Neil reveals plans for 2024 tour and third Vegas residency

"We're far from being over", the frontman said of the band's recently finalised Stadium Tour

Mötley Crüe frontman Vince Neil has revealed that the band is planning a 2024 tour, and has intentions of completing a third residency at Las Vegas.

Neil – who last week (September 9) wrapped up this year’s stretch of the group’s Stadium Tour alongside bandmates Tommy Lee , Nikki Sixx and Mick Mars – revealed the band’s future schedule in an interview with Las Vegas Review-Journal .

“I am kind of sad, because it’s been so much fun,” Neil said of The Stadium Tour’s completion, “[but] we’re far from being over. When we come back in ’24, we’re going to do it all over again.”

The Stadium Tour,  which has thus far  taken Mötley Crüe across the US and Canada from June through to September, will re-commence in February of next year. The band is expected to again enlist tourmates Def Leppard , Poison and Joan Jett for the 2023 run of shows, which will take place across Mexico, South America, Europe and more.

Nothing as big as this comes from any one person alone. Yes, you see us onstage and sometimes it seems as if it’s all… Posted by Motley Crue on  Saturday, September 10, 2022

Earlier this year, Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen revealed similar long-term intentions for the tour, telling Chile’s Radio Futuro that The Stadium Tour would run for “at least three years”.

“Definitely next summer is gonna be Europe, and then South America, Australia [and] Japan. Next year, hopefully at some point, we’ll be playing all of those markets,” Collen said (as per Noise 11 ). Sixx echoed similar intentions in August.

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While Neil didn’t reveal specifics of the prospective 2024 tour, he did say that he intends for Mötley Crüe’s return to include a residency in Las Vegas. Should it come to fruition, the residency would mark Mötley Crüe’s third stint on the strip, having completed runs of Vegas shows at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in 2012 and 2013.

“We have definitely talked about doing [another Vegas residency], and everybody loves to do the residencies. So I say, ‘Yeah, we’re gonna do it.’ We just have to look at sometime in ‘24, to be back in Vegas, but we will be back,” Neil said.

Elsewhere in the interview, Neil confirmed that despite their plans to continue touring, a new Mötley Crüe album is not on the cards. “We are strictly a touring band,” he said “there are a lot of cool special effects [on the tour], and we’re just a cool band putting on a rock show.”

Mötley Crüe’s Stadium Tour, which began in June and marks their first tour since officially reuniting in 2018, has been rife with complications. In June, Lee left and later rejoined the tour after an injury left the drummer with broken ribs . Last month, a man attending the band’s tour date in Indianapolis was injured after falling from the upper level of the Lucas Oil Stadium.

Earlier this week, Lee revealed to crowds at one of the final Vegas shows that he’d joined OnlyFans . The drummer referenced the full-frontal nude photo he’d posted to Instagram last month, which he said came off the back of “a motherfucking bender.”

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Def Leppard & Mötley Crüe review – from the pathetic to the sublime

Bramall Lane, Sheffield On this co-headline tour, Mötley Crüe are crass and limp, and then shown up all the more by the triumphant power of Def Leppard’s homecoming

“D o you wanna get rocked?” Joe Elliott asks, engaging 23,000 partisan fans with a mischievous glint in his eyes. It’s entirely rhetorical. Introducing Let’s Get Rocked, Def Leppard are so bone-shakingly loud that the football stadium’s hospitality staff are scrambling around to source more earplugs for their flummoxed VIP guests.

This Steel City rendezvous kicks off the European leg of the Sheffield band’s co-headline tour with Mötley Crüe . Leppard’s infamous Los Angeles glam metal tourmates retired eight years ago, having concocted an apparently legally binding agreement preventing them from touring beyond New Year’s Eve in 2015. 2019’s Netflix biopic The Dirt dragged them back in the public eye, and in true rock’n’roll panto fashion, they swiftly announced their return regardless.

On this showing, it’s a calamity that said cessation contract wasn’t irrevocable. In 2023, Mötley Crüe’s live fare is a relic in real time. There’s no denying Dr Feelgood’s propulsive stomp, or Kickstart My Heart’s high-octane riffage, but both Vince Neil’s range and ability to project his voice have all but abandoned him, and the singer struggles to keep up from the get-go. But it’s drummer Tommy Lee – a married, 60-year-old father of two – who best encapsulates the vibe. “Where are the titties? I don’t see one pair of titties,” Lee laments, lingering at the front of the stage. “Shall we pull our dicks out?” Mercifully, he marches back to his kit.

Three days earlier, Def Leppard played an intimate warm-up gig at the city’s illustrious Leadmill venue. That performance harked back to the band’s early, metallic edge at the forefront of the new wave of British heavy metal movement. Tonight, at the home of newly promoted Sheffield United, the approach is a stadium show masterclass, packed with hits from rock’s Premier League. Fittingly, Elliott is donning a red, white and black Union Jack jacket for the occasion – the colours of his beloved Blades.

Hackney-born lead guitarist (and “honorary Yorkshireman”) Phil Collen permeates Animal and Promises with his crisp, electrifying licks, while Rick Allen is inspiration personified. The one-armed drummer – owing to a car crash in 1984 – blasts through an inexplicable solo on Switch 625. Overwhelmed by the response, he leans into his stool and seems to tear up.

Hysteria remains a quintessential rock ballad, as countless smartphones light up the field. Signature song Pour Some Sugar on Me raises the volume another notch with its hook-laden, bottom-heavy rumble. “Sheffield will always be Def Leppard land!” Elliott declares. Having sold 100m albums across five decades – and now doing big streaming business – Leppard have the metrics on their side. This blockbuster homecoming confirms the band’s status as Sheffield’s most eminent musical export.

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Mötley Crüe Announce New Single, ‘Dogs of War’: ‘Fans Are Really Gonna Like It’

The veteran hard rockers have signed with Nashville's Big Machine Records for their first new music since 2019.

By Gary Graff

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Mötley Crüe promises there’s more where its brand new song “Dogs of War” came from.

The track and video, both out Friday (April 26), are the first releases under a new deal with Nashville’s Big Machine Records. It’s also the Crüe’s first new song since the Machine Gun Kelly collab “The Dirt (Est. 1981)” from the soundtrack for the 2019 Netflix biopic of the same name and the band’s first recording with new member John5 (Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie), who replaced original guitarist Mick Mars last year.

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John5 confirms that “there’s gonna be more music to come out, that’s for sure. [Bassist] Nikki (Sixx) calls me all the time and says, ‘Hey dude, check this out’ and it sounds like it could be a demo from, like, the Too Fast For Love album or the Shout at the Devil album. He just has that inside him; he’s created this music and it sounds just like that era because that’s who the guy is.”

Neil describes the fiery-tempoed “Dogs of War” as “like old school meets new school. It’s got that old school vibe about it, but it’s new music. Nikki came up with it and he sent me the music and I thought it was really cool. So I started singing it and we got in the studio and it turned into the song I think the fans are really gonna like it.” The song was produced by frequent Crüe collaborator Bob Rock , which Neil says was a source of comfort for the band.

“He’s great,” the singer explains. “He’s  a lot of fun. He’s smart. He’s creative. He knows what the wants. He knows what to get from each guy to make them be their best. That’s what a good producer does, takes what you have and makes it better – and that’s what (Rock ) does to Mötley Crüe. That’s what we love about him. We know he’s not gonna change and we didn’t want any change. We wanted to do it just the way we always recorded with him.”

In making the new label deal announcement, Big Machine Chairman and CEO Scott Borchetta — the driving force behind the 2014 Nashville Outlaws: A Tribute to Mötley Crüe compilation — says that, “Growing up in Southern California, I was in Hollywood when these new sheriffs showed up and took over the city. It was loud. It was powerful. It was game changing. (The band has) reignited the flame with ferocious new Crüe Music.”

Neil, who resides in Nashville, calls Borchetta “a good friend … and a good friend of the band’s. They’re just a smart company that knows how to market songs and how to get them on the radio and do all the stuff you gotta do. They’re perfect for us.”

BMG remains the band’s home for catalog releases, however. This year it’s already released a Dolby Atmos remaster of The Dirt Soundtrack to celebrate its fifth anniversary as well as a Record Store Day re-release of the rarities compilation Supersonic and Demonic Relics on vinyl for the first time. Since this year is the 25th anniversary of the band’s legendary Dr. Feelgood album, fans have been speculating about some sort of release to commemorate that later in the year.

Back in 2014, of course, Mötley Crüe famously signed a “binding” contract for its The Final Tour farewell trek stipulating that support act Alice Cooper could cut their heads off if they broke it. Then, however, came The Dirt, which despite overwhelmingly negative reviews was a rating success, while the soundtrack hit No. 10 on the Billboard 200 and Top 5 on the Top Rock Albums and Soundtrack Albums charts. “The Dirt (Est. 1981)” single was also a Top 10 Mainstream Rock hit. 

“John brings a lot,” Neil says. “He’s an amazing, creative guitar player. He hears stuff us normal people don’t hear. He brings a lot to the song and a lot to the band, and we’re just so happy to have him.” The feeling is mutual according to John5, who collaborated with Sixx on Sixx A.M. projects and co-wrote the three new songs on The Dirt Soundtrack .

“I love Motley and I’ve known Mick, Tommy (Lee) and Nikki for so long, it’s just like playing with your friends,” the guitarist says. “Their music is something I care about. I care about the history and I care about the future of this band, so I want to do things with the utmost respect and make sure everything is done right and execute it to the ability it deserves.”

Mötley Crüe will play selected shows this year starting May 3-4 at Hard Rock Live in Atlantic City, N.J. and including several festival dates.

Check out the full tour itinerary below:

May 3-4 — Atlantic City, NJ @ Hard Rock Live

May 9 — Daytona Beach, FL @ Welcome to Rockville

June 22 — Milwaukee, WI @ Summerfest

June 23 — Mt. Pleasant, MI @ Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort

July 11 — Calgary, Canada @ Calgary Stampede

July 13 — Ottawa, Canada @ Ottawa Bluesfest

July 14 — Quebec, Canada @ Festival d’Ete de Quebec

July 19 — Minot, ND @ North Dakota State Fair

August 14 — Des Moines, IA @ Iowa State Fair

August 17 — Thackerville, OK @ Winstar Casino

August 29 — St. Paul, MN @ Minnesota State Fair

August 31 — Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun

Sept. 26 — Hollywood, FL @ Hard Rock Live

Sept. 28 — Louisville, KY @ Louder Than Life Festival 

Oct. 13 — Sacramento, CA @ Aftershock Fest

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Headlined by a blistering solo from John 5, Dogs of War is the band's first new single since 2019, and the first to be released since their split with former guitarist Mick Mars

Mötley Crüe have shared Dogs of War – the band’s first official single to feature John 5 following the electric guitar star’s appointment.

The track presumably paves the way for the long-awaited upcoming Crüe album – again, the first to feature the former Rob Zombie guitarist – which John 5 himself hinted would be “heavy and aggressive” . 

Such teases seem to have been fully justified: Dogs of War sounds exactly how you’d imagine a Mötley Crüe/John 5 collaboration would. 

A cameo of the guitarist’s virtuosity is immediately apparent in the intricate opening, which is followed by a crushing main riff and – of course – a blistering solo crammed with two-hand taps and lightning-fast alternate-picking runs.

Some unsettling off-kilter action occurs in the verse, but this merely emphasizes the pummeling chorus progression and its bold declaration: “ Don’t let those bastards get you down .” A nod to Mötley’s recent off-stage troubles, perhaps?

After all, Dogs of War is also marks “the start of a brand new chapter” following the departure of Crüe’s former guitarist Mick Mars, who departed during a rather public and acrimonious split that spanned across ‘22 and ‘23.

Mars initially announced his retirement from touring as a result of his struggle with ankylosing spondylitis but, despite insisting he would remain a member of the band, he was later formally replaced by John 5 .

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The situation soon took an ugly turn when Mars filed a lawsuit against his former bandmates , alleging they conspired to fire him. He also accused bassist Nikki Sixx of gaslighting him, and miming his parts on stage.

In a response, the claims were denied by Crüe’s reps , who asserted retiring from touring was equal to “resigning from the band”.

Despite the conflict between Mötley Crüe and Mick Mars, John 5 has entered the fray with both the support of his new bandmates and the blessing of his predecessor . It's a strong start from John 5 and his new band, and we imagine the as-yet-unannounced album will follow suit.

Mars – who has a few new solo singles of his own under his belt – recently stated that a reconciliation with Mötley Crüe was off the table , saying it would be “impossible” to hash things out with his former bandmates.

Dogs of War is the band’s first release on new label Big Machine Records. For more information on upcoming tour dates and album news, visit Mötley Crüe's website .

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Matt is a Senior Staff Writer, writing for Guitar World , Guitarist and Total Guitar . He has a Masters in the guitar, a degree in history, and has spent the last 16 years playing everything from blues and jazz to indie and pop. When he’s not combining his passion for writing and music during his day job, Matt records for a number of UK-based bands and songwriters as a session musician.

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"We're the bastards": listen to Mötley Crüe's spidery comeback single Dogs Of War

Exclusive: Vince Neil tells us all about Mötley Crüe’s first single since 2015

Having announced their new deal with Nashville’s Big Machine Records earlier this week, Mötley Crüe have shared their first single in nine years, Dogs Of War . Kicking off with a spidery riff, the uptempo rocker spirals through an eerie verse, before a bulldozer chorus finds frontman Vince Neil on defiant form, singing ‘I will stand my ground/I will not back down ’, and urging ‘ Don’t let those bastards get you down ’.

“I think it’s classic Crüe, if you go back and listen to the first record [1981’s Too Fast For Love ],” Neil tells Louder. “To me, it goes back to our roots. I think the fans are going to dig it. It’s a rock‘n’roll tune for partying, screamin’ and yellin’ along. That’s what Mötley Crüe is about anyway. It doesn’t seem like any time has passed. We’re still just a good rock ‘n’ roll band.”

So who does the song title refer to? 

“We’re the Dogs Of War ,” nods Neil. “We’re the bastards. We’re in battle with everybody, all the time.”

Recorded remotely last year with producer Bob Rock – and heard as a snippet on social media when Crüe played London's Camden Underworld last year billed as Dögs Of War – the track is the first single from the Los Angeles veterans since 2015’s apparent swansong, All Bad Things . While Neil recalls that he “just wanted my voice to sound rough and tough”, the track is notable as the first studio showcase for John 5, who replaced long-standing guitarist Mick Mars in 2022 and announces his presence with a scalded virtuoso shred solo. 

“Wow,” enthuses Neil, clearly impressed by the band’s new blood. “John is such a great guitar player. People love him. The band loves him. He basically made me a better singer. I get to focus on just my singing. He knew all the songs before we even hired him. He can play anything. He’s an exciting, creative guitar player and he’ll definitely be involved in the new music. It'll be really neat to listen to his ideas.”       

On the subject of new music, Neil hints that a three-track EP is in the works for release later this year, while the Crüe’s first full studio album since 2008’s Saints Of Los Angeles will remain on the drawing board until the band clear their live diary. 

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“What stage are we at?” muses the singer. “We’re at no stage right now. We gotta start writing new songs, but we leave in two weeks and you can’t write an album on tour. We’ll get back in the studio at some point – maybe next year.” 

While further new material remains under wraps, all signs suggests Crüe will keep flying the flag. “I don’t like the state of music these days,” says Neil. “You get Taylor Swift and Beyoncé now, and that’s it. I’m a classic rock kind of guy. I like the old stuff. We want to show a new generation of fans what rock ‘n’ roll is all about.” 

Henry Yates has been a freelance journalist since 2002 and written about music for titles including The Guardian, The Telegraph, NME, Classic Rock, Guitarist, Total Guitar and Metal Hammer . He is the author of Walter Trout's official biography, Rescued From Reality , a music pundit on Times Radio and BBC TV, and an interviewer who has spoken to Brian May, Jimmy Page, Ozzy Osbourne, Ronnie Wood, Dave Grohl, Marilyn Manson, Kiefer Sutherland and many more. 

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Motley Crue Announce First Song Since Split With Mick Mars, ‘Dogs of War’

Motley Crue have just announced “the start of a brand new chapter” with the impending release of their new song “Dogs of War.” It will be the first piece of new music from legendary band since Mick Mars stepped down from touring in 2022.

When Does Motley Crue’s New Song Come Out?

“Dogs of War” will be released on Friday (April 26). Fans can pre-save the track now on all streaming platforms .

In a promotional post on social media, Motley Crue shared an image of a post-apocalyptic setting inhabited by the band. From left to right, John 5 , Nikki Sixx , Tommy Lee and Vince Neil are depicted as four zombie-like figures standing on a long, straight stretch of road as smoke billows in the distance.

A sickly yellow hue bathes the photo, which is stamped along the bottom with the group’s name and the new song title.

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It’s NOT Motley Crue’s First Song With John 5

While “Dogs of War” is Motley Crue’s first new song since announcing John 5 as their new guitarist, it’s not the first track he’s written with the band.

John 5, a longtime close friend of Sixx and Motley Crue, co-wrote three songs on The Dirt biopic soundtrack companion — “The Dirt,” “Ride With the Devil” and “Crash and Burn.” The soundtrack was released in 2019 and also featured outside writer Sahaj Ticotin of Ra and Meytal as well as one songwriting contribution from Machine Gun Kelly .

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Motley crue’s first new single in years is a quick bestseller.

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UNSPECIFIED - CIRCA 1970: Photo of Motley Crue (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Mötley Crüe has returned, and their fans have responded by showing the rock band some love. On Friday (April 26), the group dropped their first new single in years, and it only needed a few hours to become an initial sales hit in America.

“Dogs of War” is the latest single from Mötley Crüe, and it’s off to a solid start in the U.S. As of the time of writing, the tune appears inside the top 10 on iTunes’ ranking of the bestselling songs in the country. It’s risen to No. 9, and it could continue to climb in the coming hours or days.

If the tune can continue to sell well, it stands a chance at bringing Mötley Crüe back to the Billboard charts in a week or so. The track could reach a number of the rock-specific lists, such as the Rock Digital Song Sales, Hard Rock Digital Song Sales, as well as the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs or Hot Hard Rock Songs tallies, depending on how the title is classified.

“Dogs of War” marks Mötley Crüe’s first single as a lead artist in half a decade. They last released music for the soundtrack that accompanied the film The Dirt , which tells the band’s story. They joined with rocker Machine Gun Kelly for that project and scored a chart win with "The Dirt (Est. 1981)."

Mötley Crüe did appear on a ranking just two years ago, but that was in a featured role. The band joined with several other well-known figures in the rock world, including Asking Alexandria, Ice Nine Kills, and From Ashes to New, on the track "The Retaliators (21 Bullets)," which was a top 20 win on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay tally.

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“Dogs of War” appears to be the first taste of a new chapter for Mötley Crüe. The legendary rockers just signed a new record deal with Big Machine Records, which was announced recently. Not too much is known about what’s next for them, but it’s safe to say more new music is coming soon.

At the time of writing, “Dogs of War” appears as the fourth-loftiest debut on the U.S. iTunes chart. The rockers come in behind fellow new releases by the likes of JT from City Girls (“OKAY,” No. 2), the cast of a musical (of sorts) called EPIC (“The Underworld,” No. 4), and Normani and Gunna (“1:59,” No. 8).

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