They took the expression 'Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll' very seriously they've diced with death, jail time and copious amounts of women and drugs (sometimes even at the same time with regards to the latter) and yet Mötley Crüe are still alive today currently touring with their 9th studio album Saints Of Los Angeles which was inspired by their autobiography The Dirt which was released back in 2001.
The Dirt is written by all four members of the band (Vince Neil vocals, Mick Mars guitar, Nikki Sixx bass guitar and Tommy Lee drums) as well as contributions from managers past and present and former lead singer John Corabi the book gives a detailed account of life before Mötley Crüe and during it.
The Dirt is an entertaining read, every chapter has at least three interesting tales to tell. While some of the tales are funny such as Nikki Sixx trying to outdo Ozzy Osbourne, others are cautionary tales of Rock & Roll excess. There are some conflicting stories in the book especially surrounding the events that led to Tommy Lee leaving the band, both versions of the tale (one told from Tommy's POV the other told from Vince) however it just makes the book feel human and it leaves the audience wondering which story is true.
While the contributions from the band members aren't equal it's the insight into their personalities while Mick Mars' has the least amount of page space the others do it fits him because he is the quiet man of the group but in reading Mick's chapters you feel sorry for the guitarist who not only put up with the rest of the band's outrageous antics but also suffering from a back condition called ankylosing spondylitis. In contrast bassist and chief songwriter Nikki Sixx contributes the most to The Dirt like he does to the band's sound and image.
There are times when reading The Dirt where you feel sorry for members of the band, especially one moment in the book that left a lump in the throat as a worst nightmare comes to life for Vince Neil as he loses his four year old daughter to cancer. The way it is described in the book is heartbreaking yet slightly horrific to read and makes it a hard chapter to get through emotionaly. To some extent every member of the band has moments in the book where readers can't help but feel sorry for them, as well as times when the exact opposite occurs.
The Dirt is definitely an essential autobiography for fans of the metal genre
, especially Mötley Crüe it's also a cautionary tale to those who think that the Rock and Roll lifestyle is just all about the fame, money and women, The Dirt examines both the personal and professional side of being a rock star, it's a brutal and honest truth about how the rock stars on the road to ruin get treated by tour managers, record label executives and their peers.
After finishing the book you have to wonder how a band could go through drug addictions, terrible relationships, jail time and in-fighting and yet still be together and out touring, and yet Mötley Crüe are doing exactly that.
The Dirt is written by all four members of the band (Vince Neil vocals, Mick Mars guitar, Nikki Sixx bass guitar and Tommy Lee drums) as well as contributions from managers past and present and former lead singer John Corabi the book gives a detailed account of life before Mötley Crüe and during it.
The Dirt is an entertaining read, every chapter has at least three interesting tales to tell. While some of the tales are funny such as Nikki Sixx trying to outdo Ozzy Osbourne, others are cautionary tales of Rock & Roll excess. There are some conflicting stories in the book especially surrounding the events that led to Tommy Lee leaving the band, both versions of the tale (one told from Tommy's POV the other told from Vince) however it just makes the book feel human and it leaves the audience wondering which story is true.
While the contributions from the band members aren't equal it's the insight into their personalities while Mick Mars' has the least amount of page space the others do it fits him because he is the quiet man of the group but in reading Mick's chapters you feel sorry for the guitarist who not only put up with the rest of the band's outrageous antics but also suffering from a back condition called ankylosing spondylitis. In contrast bassist and chief songwriter Nikki Sixx contributes the most to The Dirt like he does to the band's sound and image.
There are times when reading The Dirt where you feel sorry for members of the band, especially one moment in the book that left a lump in the throat as a worst nightmare comes to life for Vince Neil as he loses his four year old daughter to cancer. The way it is described in the book is heartbreaking yet slightly horrific to read and makes it a hard chapter to get through emotionaly. To some extent every member of the band has moments in the book where readers can't help but feel sorry for them, as well as times when the exact opposite occurs.
The Dirt is definitely an essential autobiography for fans of the metal genre
, especially Mötley Crüe it's also a cautionary tale to those who think that the Rock and Roll lifestyle is just all about the fame, money and women, The Dirt examines both the personal and professional side of being a rock star, it's a brutal and honest truth about how the rock stars on the road to ruin get treated by tour managers, record label executives and their peers.After finishing the book you have to wonder how a band could go through drug addictions, terrible relationships, jail time and in-fighting and yet still be together and out touring, and yet Mötley Crüe are doing exactly that.
