Christmas came early for me this year, boys and girls! I was recently invited to a private star-studded Motley Crue concert down at the Hard Rock Café in Times Square. The event was part of The Hard Rock 35th Anniversary Ambassadors Of Rock Tour to commemorate the Hard Rock’s 35th anniversary. This star- studded event boasted a slew of celebrities like Pantera/Damage Plan drummer and brother of the late, great “Dimebag” Darrell, Vinnie Paul Abbott, Velvet Revolver’s Dave Kushner and Matt Sorum, Anthrax’s Frankie Bello and Scott Ian, Biohazard’s Evan Seinfeld, Cheap Trick’s Rick Neilson, Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Joey Kramer, even the kids from “Rockstar: Supernova” were there, like local girl Jill Gioia. I think you get the picture on how huge this event was.
My buddy, comedian Jim Breuer, kicked off the night by presenting Tom Farley, the brother of late comedian Chris Farley with a check that was being donated to the Chris Farley Foundation, which was what this night was all about. But for me, it was being able to see Motley Crue in an intimate setting like this from the front row because for those of you who know me, I’m a huge Cruehead. Yes, my name is Tim and I’m a Crue-a-holic! Anyway, let me rewind a second. Right when I was getting my press passes to get into this place, I was pushed aside only to see my boys being escorted right past me. I got to shake Tommy Lee’s hand and I got a “What’s up, man” from Nikki Sixx. My night was made and it hadn’t even started yet!
So back to the concert…from the front row! Motley Crue opened the set really heavy and energetic with “Dr. Feelgood” and then went into “Shout At The Devil” and “Looks That Kill”, etc. For those of you who, like me, saw them at PNC Bank Arts Center days before, yes they played almost the exact same set. Only this time they added “Too Fast For Love” where “Helter Skelter” was and “Helter Skelter” was put at the end for the encore where they brought out the legendary Steven Tyler to sing with them. Here’s the thing though, it would’ve been cool if Steven Tyler actually knew the words to “Helter Skelter.” What a mess that was, but it was cool to see Mick Mars and Steven Tyler still jamming away. Mick looked like he was going to collapse, but he didn’t miss a note in his solos. They were perfect! Of course, Vince did his normal thing and let the crowd sing half of the songs for him, but when he did sing he sounded great. He threw the mic out towards us during the chorus on “Home Sweet Home” and Vince actually pointed me out and laughed at me. I didn’t even care! Everyone in our area just started throwing high-fives at me. Tommy Lee sounded great as always, pounding away like the madman that he is. He sounded great on songs like “Louder Than Hell,” “Primal Scream” and “Sick Love Song.” And of course, there was God, I mean Nikki Sixx, who spent most of the night spitting water and blood on the crowd, but as always, quite the performer.
I’ve been seeing this band live for almost 20 years now, with different members and all, but to me, this night went down as one of the best Motley Crue shows I’ve ever been to. I’m sure being in the front row had a lot do with it, but it does make a difference because you actually get to feel what this band is all about!
