Motley Crue on the Rock Hall: “We’ll probably be dead when they induct us”
Vince Neil and Tommy Lee of Mötley Crüe checked in with Radio Sara on 93.3 WMMR Philadelphia to talk about their new song “Dogs of War,” their current band lineup and their shows coming up this weekend at the Hard Rock in Atlantic City. With the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announcing their Class of 2024 recently, we had to ask: could the Hall ever induct the World’s Most Notorious Band?
This year, the Rock Hall will induct Ozzy Osbourne, Cher, Peter Frampton, Foreigner and about a dozen other acts. Sara points out in the conversation that a few years ago, this up because a few years ago, the Hall’s museum in Cleveland installed this fan vote mechanism that allowed fans to vote on artists they’d like to see inducted. Motley Crue quickly climbed to the top of that list. It doesn’t count towards any official vote, but it does give insight into the bands who have yet to be recognized by that institution.
When asked about how they might react if Motley Crue were to be welcomed into the Rock Hall in the future, Vince Neil said: “I think it’d be pretty cool to be inducted,” but he cheekily added, “but we’ll probably be dead when they induct us.”
Tommy Lee said he would be in favor of the band’s induction, but questioned if they would fit in, given the Rock Hall’s expanding definition of rock n’ roll in recent years. He explains: “It’s weird, it’s one of those things where you’re like, ‘Oh, that would be so f***ing rad.’ …it’s a weird double-edged thing, because at one point it was like (in awe) ‘whoa, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.’ And then over the years, there’s been a bunch of people getting inducted into it that, I don’t know, sometimes you’re like, ‘how’s that possible? I’m not sure if this quite fits’ or whatever. So then you go, ‘maybe it’s not that cool’. But you know, if the fans think it’s cool, then it’s cool.”
Though he didn’t specify in this interview, the “double-edged thing” that Lee mentioned could refer to one of several changes the Hall has made over the past few years. There’s been shifts in board with the ousting of Jann Wenner, a stronger focus on diversity among inductees in terms of gender and race, combined with the ever-evolving sound of rock music and its influence on adjacent genres like hip-hop. Crüe have been eligible for induction since 2007, but have never received a nomination.
Mötley Crüe are touring the festival circuit in North America this summer, and they’re kicking off a tour with a double-header in our area. They’ll be in Atlantic City at the Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena this weekend, Friday May 3rd and Saturday May 4th. Vince Neil confirmed that at the first gig, fans will be treated to the live debut of their new song “Dogs of War,” telling Sara in the interview “Oh yeah, it’s there!”
MMR’s own Jacky Bam Bam will host our VIP pre-party and meet-and-greet with the band on the second night. Get tickets in info on MMR’s Official Concert Calendar.
Watch the full interview below, where Vince and Tommy revealed the deep Crüe cut that they miss playing live. Plus, they talk about welcoming John 5 into the fold, and the end of the conversation, they comment on the most controversial topic of all…
FYI: Video contains NSFW language.
Watch the interview with Vince Neil and Tommy Lee of Motley Crue:
Watch the video for the new Motley Crue song “Dogs of War”
Follow Radio Sara on Instagram for more interviews, rock updates and behind-the-scenes footage at WMMR Philadelphia.