Tommy Lee Initially Declined Mötley Crüe Reunion Offer: 'We Were Done'

Press Conference For THE STADIUM TOUR DEF LEPPARD - MOTLEY CRUE - POISON At SiriusXM's Hollywood Studios

Photo: Getty Images North America

Drummer Tommy Lee was the last member of Mötley Crüe to agree to the 'Stadium Tour' reunion.

The four members of Crüe signed a "cessation of touring" contract in 2014, declaring their intention to end live performances by the band. But as work on The Dirt rekindled their friendships, and as fan excitement around the movie led to handsome offers for a reunion, the members had to at least discuss the idea of getting back onstage together.

Bassist Nikki Sixx tells ET Online that he wasn't receptive to the reunion idea at first either. It was only when he began to think about the scope of the shows that he reconsidered — Mötley Crüe had never headlined in stadiums before.

Sixx called Lee to convey the offer.

"I was like, 'Hey, dude, they're talking about us touring,' and he's like, 'No.' Because we wanted to ... stand by what we said ... [T]hen it was 16 and 36 [stadium shows] ... there's, what, about another 120 next year and the year after that; so, we're grateful we said yes."

"We were done," Lee added, regarding the band's intention before its 2014-15 tour.

But the appeal of the 'Stadium Tour' came down to the idea of doing something new for the Crüe so many years later: headlining stadiums. But Lee wasn't interested in a one-off or a limited engagement. His ears perked up when the offer expanded to 36 dates — a real tour.

"How can you say no to stadiums? ... It's some pretty crazy stuff, man," the drummer said. "Name a band who's got the same original members that's been doing it this long — good luck."

Crüe just wrapped up the first leg of the 'Stadium Tour.' The band is expected to announce dates overseas within the coming months.


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