Most rock bands spark, flash and then gradually fizzle out, like a music industry roman candle. Mötley Crüe isn't one of them. With one of the most enviable life spans (and revenue sheets) in the music business and a solid reputation to boot, the band has proven itself time and again that it's no flash in the hard metal pan. Some fans would even argue that they were part of the movement that helped make the pan in the first place.

Mötley Crüe: The Metal Men

"We're not faking; we're just us."

Most rock bands spark, flash and then gradually fizzle out, like a music industry roman candle. Mötley Crüe isn't one of them. With one of the most enviable life spans (and revenue sheets) in the music business and a solid reputation to boot, the band has proven itself time and again that it's no flash in the hard metal pan. Some fans would even argue that they were part of the movement that helped make the pan in the first place.

Mötley Crüe: Motley No More

Like any aspiring musical group, the band's formation was gradual, requiring some two years in all. In 1981, bassist Nikki Sixx (previously of London) began to jam with drum man Tommy Lee and guitarist Greg Leon (both previously of Suite 19). When Leon left the lineup, the remaining duo began to look for a new member.

They were quick to hire Bob Deal - more popularly known as Mick Mars - but took longer to find a name for the new trio. Upon Mars' suggestion, the band called itself Motley, after which they set out to find a vocalist. Although Lee's high school friend Vince Neil was still a part of Rock Candy at the time, he jumped boat to the new band when his other band mates began pursuing other projects. The band was complete.

Not long after making Allan Coffman their manager, they released their first single, Stick to Your Guns backed with Toast of the Town. Their 1981 debut album, Too Fast for Love, followed quickly afterwards. It sold well, helping to leverage them for a Canadian tour and a deal with Elektra Records in 1982. With the help of several staged PR stunts during the tour, the band became known worldwide for the members' rock and roll lifestyles.

Mötley Crüe Makes the Big Stage

Thanks to several American festival performances and MTV, the group's reputation also began to grow across the border. With their newfound name as glamorous, hard-rocking musicians, the 80's was marked by a string of hits that included Shout at the Devil, Theatre of Pain and Girls, Girls, Girls.

Rock and roll lifestyles, however, also proved harmful to the band. Throughout the 80's, several of the members had gotten into life-threatening situations due to substance abuse. Thaler and McGhee, their new managers, opted to pull an intervention, which in turn prompted all the members to clean up. All but one entered rehab.

Cleaning up their act seemed to do the band good; their biggest hit, 1989's Dr. Feelgood, was released right after their stints in rehab. Several award nominations followed. Doc McGhee, however, was fired, prior to the release of well-selling Decade of Decadence.

The 1990's was a tumultuous time for the group. Neil's departure in 1992 was the first of several lineup changes, which only ended when their new manager forced him, Lee and Sixx to reunite in 1997. Although the band gained total control with the expiry of their Elektra contract in 1998, Lee took a hiatus to focus on his solo career. After the death of replacement drummer Randy Castillo in 1992, the band itself went on hiatus.

After each member went his separate way, an English promoter's stunt in 2004 prompted the band to reunite. This culminated with a 2004 tour and a 2005 compilation album, Red, White & Crüe. Their latest record and ninth studio album is 2008's Saints of Los Angeles.

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