An Open Letter to Tommy Lee (Part Duex)

Dear Tommy Lee Bass (or T-Lee, T-Bone,T-Man),

So, I hear you've quit Motley Crue again. Is it that time of year again, Tommy? Did things get a little rough in your 15 bedroom Los Angeles mansion and state-of-the-art home recording studio, Tommy?

Do I need to remind you again, dear Tommy, that it is fans like me - millions of us strong - that helped you get the mansion, helped you snort a gazillion dollars worth of cocaine, helped you and the rest of Motley buy a private jet, helped you stay in the finest hotels, helped you see the world beyond your wildest imagination?

What am I getting out of this love/hate relationship, dear Tommy? Not much. Granted, the Crue has a pretty darn good back catalog of work and I'll be forever grateful for Shout at the Devil. I mean, it doesn't get much better than that, does it?

A few days ago, you said you were "over" rock music. Nikki Sixx recently said to the press that you listen to rap music hours a day. It's good that you've got widespread music interests, but let's get real.

I did public relations for a professional orchestra, Tommy, and that sure as hell didn't make me Yo-Yo Ma. To this day, I can appreciate the depth a string arrangement gives a heavy metal song but that doesn't mean I'm going to try and wrangle my way backstage at an Itzhak Perlman concert to score an interview.

You can rap all you want Tommy, but you ain't never gonna be Ice T, Ice Cube, Vanilla Ice...or even Kid Rock.

Yeah, I said it.

After the brouhaha at the Video Music Awards, I was on your side. After all, I always thought Kid Rock sucked, but now I realize you suck too.

Maybe "Pebble" should have knocked you upside your head a little harder. Pam Anderson could have soothed your nerves again, you could have gone home and checked the mailbox for another giant Motley royalty check and bought another Porsche.

Whatever.

I just listened to New Tattoo again. You know what? The late Randy Castillo did a pretty damn good job keeping up with the rest of the Crue. No, that album isn't Dr. Feelgood but then not many are. When it all comes down to it, we're all just a big ball of cells - cosmic matter. It's what we do in life and how we treat others that makes us matter. See the distinction?

When I first heard that you'd quit the Crue again, I thought "well, that's that." Now, I'm not so sure. Motley Crue isn't one person, and the rest of the boys can go on, record and tour without you. I hope they do. I hope you see their success and feel like a jackass, because that's what you are.

Tommy, I know you don't give two shits about my opinion - or anyone's opinion for that matter - but you better realize that everything I'm saying here is true. You look like a joke swaying your arm to the beat, wearing your cap sideways. You're not hood, you've never been hood...and you ain't never going to be hood. If you want to turn your back on your one true talent, and please believe that talent is drumming, then so be it. It's your life after all. Just don't bitch when things fall apart.

Remember, Tommy, love and hate's the same to the Black Widow -- and you, my friend, are about as white as they come. Holla!

P.S.

I am waiting for my refund. I demand my $50 back from one of your crappy techno shows with DJ Aero. I didn't know you could get the same kick out of performing in front of 100 people versus 40,000 in a sold out stadium, but what the hell do I know?

I hope Nikki Sixx, Mick Mars and Vince Neil never let you back in Motley Crue. It would serve you right.

Love and kisses,

The glam mistress.

**Suggested reading: An Open Letter to Tommy Lee (May 25, 2007)

Comments

[Mary]

I could agree more with everything you said.

[Mary]

Oops!! Clearly, I made a typo. I just hope he realizes that nobody will ever take him seriously in that genre and his foray into rap/techo will probably, in all likelihood, make him a joke in the eyes of most rock fans now as well.

[aXe mAn]

I also agree. Tommy Lee just tries to go with whatever is "popular" at the time. I do hope the Crue goes on without him and is a big success.

[glam rocker]

i hope crue continues they are a great band and theres many great drummers out there, let tommy become a joke

[Cinnamon]

Total agreement here too. I bought his two solo albums, I bought and found something to like in Methods of Mayhem (not much, but something) but he really has lost the plot. The other three shouldn't have a problem getting a new drummer, and the only time I've seen the Crue Tommy wasn't playing anyway because he had done something to his shoulder. Still, it's his life. Such a shame he's decided it has to be this way.

[Rob Rockitt, Hard Rock Hideout]

Maybe its time to bring in some young blood. This kid that Vince has on tour with him, Zoltan Chaney is an ANIMAL on the drums. He would be an amazing replacement for Tommy Lee. He sure sounds good playing those Crue tunes when I heard him live!

[Jinx]

In response to previous comments: ouch...have you ever thought that maybe he just actually, genuinely *likes* rap music? I don't think you should beat on somebody for expanding his tastes and getting into a new genre. Personally, I don't believe this phase will last forever, but I'm perfectly happy to let him enjoy it.

[Christian Graus]

He can like what he wants. That doesn't mean he has to disrespect his fans, or act as if anyone would actually care about his rapping/DJing if he wasn't the drummer from Motley Crue

[Mike]

I think Crue should just move forward with a new drummer. theres TONS of drummers out there who can probably smoke lee on the drums.

zoltan chaney would be cool. Josh freese, eric singer, etc.

[Vince Neilstein]

Ouch. A little harsh, don't you think? I mean, for one, can't we agree that Motley Crue hasn't released any worthwhile new material in years, so how does it really matter? But more importantly, Tommy Lee, like you and me, has a life with his own personal needs. He doesn't exist solely for his fans. So if he's sick of Motley Crue, then so be it, he can go do something else that will make him happy. I'm not really sure how his quitting the current band affects your enjoyment of past Crue favorites.

[Chey]

Hey, their last few songs they've released are really good. Tommy just needs to get the stick out of his ass. I can't stand Rap music and i can't believe that he does. Hes the one that got me started on all this so im not gonna say anything but i still can't believe he would do something like that.

[Mike]

tommy is overrated. I think zoltan would be a great drummer. have you seen him drum? he puts tommy to shame.

sign the petition to keep crue alive

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/KeepCruealive/index.html

[MC]

I've had so much respect for Tommy over the years, now I have two words, ZOLTAN CHANEY. Sickest drummer I've ever seen. Maybe now we won't have to sit through anymore bullshit techno drum solos at a crue show, good ridden's.

[FP Girl]

I personally loved Tommy's solo albums, thought they were refreshing and upbeat and DIFFERENT! I love the Crue also but I hate the new songs that were out, (the umph was gone.. had no rhythm or soul!) they sound so commercial! I love Nikki's new stuff, sounds way better than rocketdog or rocketship or whatever song they wrote BEFORE sixx am.. New Tattoo was it? Some of the new songs Motley had sounded like they might make it to a cheesy old pepsi commercial that no one wants to watch!
and Vince (bless his heart I am sure he is the nicest of the guys besides Mick nowadays) but he made me miss Corabi! Cause Corabi is not a sloppy singer/reality plastic surgery star(not knocking surgery or improving yourself but Motley Crue's vocalist doesn't have to do it on tv!) I am sure Vince improved but some of their Live stuff I don't think he remembers the SONGS that made them the Millions! (I do think Vince is the nicer of the guys nowadays) Nikki and Tommy have changed! the whole fame and money thing went to their heads.. unless we caught them on a bad day lately, he doesn't even meet and greet 27 fans that stayed to chat with him he's too good to even wave to you! the rest of the guys' were nice enough to wave behind guards and barriers.. oh no the 27 fans that were there might crush them?? PLEASE!!!! come on now! (never scared them before..)
Times change, people change, music evolves, when it dies its alright to do something different!
Motley will come back again when Tommy is ready, in the meantime Sixx AM is WAAAAY better and more intense than the cheesy Motley tunes they released a little before.. glitter... and Afraid? wtf?
I look forward to the Crue coming back again, but if its going to be cheesy campy songs then wait till the 'CRUE' comes back for REAL... bring on the new stuff till then!
ps... Tommy have some pride and backbone and forget soon to be Mrs. rick soloman or whatever his name is.. there's millions of beautiful women out there Tommy have some pride will ya!!!!?!?!?

[Suzy]

I've seen Tommy with Motley Crue live and I've seen Zoltan live. Zoltan kicks Tommy's ass in every way!!! I will admit I might be biased because I know Zoltan from his days in the 80's when he was in a band here in Memphis. I took a few people to see him who were amazed at how good he is. And he is a genuinely nice guy. Even when he took me out to eat for my birthday and I spilled a full glass of Coke on him he was a gentleman. Wait, that's probably not good for his image if he's going to be in Motley Crue!!! I could change it and say he's a complete bad ass and a jerk which might be better for his image. The only way Zoltan is a BAD ASS is on those drums of his!

If anyone wonders what his real name is like I did - it IS Zoltan (middle name Cord), His mother is Hungarian just like Mariska Hargitay from Law and Order: SVU who has a brother by the same name.

Tommy had loads of talent and I wish him well.

I always wish Zoltan well. He's one of the nicest people I know. I love you, Zoltan!!! I hope I get a chance to bring my husband to see you.

[trent]

I saw Zoltan Chaney with Vince Neil last friday. Holy crap. Motley Crue has found their new drummer.

[Marijke]

Hello,

There's some truth in that letter. But every man is free of doing what he wants to do, SO WHY BOTHER?
Relax, peoples and don't have a cow.

Rock is about doing what you want to do, as long you don't hurt someone.

Take this message from a woman from 'Down to earth' Belgium.

Greetings and keep rocking
LAMF
Marijke

[Friend]

tommy lee is awesome no matter what but rap just isnt him. but i also believe he has a right to do his own thing.

[tommy fan forever]

well glam mistress, it is 2008 and tommy is still with the crue, they just put out the "Saints of Los Angeles" album and video , and it kicks ass! Eat your words bitch! I think Tommy should be applauded for trying new things,, I mean Nikki has sixx am, so why is it okay for him to foray into another area and not tommy? tommy does not give a shit about what you or I say, does not even know we exist, just who are you to slam him? He has the courage of his convictions, and the best thing he could do is keep on doing what he wants in life, get over the skank Pam and explore his many talents, which are,, drumming, singing, playing guitar, playing keyboards, playing piano,, ohhhh, did not not know that? He is multi talented can can play many instruments as well as write his own music. take your shit talk somewhere else.

[LMAO]

I laugh at this nonsense.. The Crue sucked since the 90's. The only thing that held this band together was the fans. Lee is over rated, Neil sux at vocals since he hit his 30's, Six is so fucking wasted he can barley make it through a set anymore. So truly what's the point? Try new avenues, and let him be who he is. I respect that, even though I don't respect the Crue or their wanna be playboy shows.. Get back to your hardcore mis 80's music or just give it up!! Old men!!