Motley Crue: The Dirt - Confessions of the World's Most Notorious Rock Band [Paperback]

Tommy Lee (Author), Vince Neil (Author), Mick Mars (Author), Nikki Sixx (Author), Neil Strauss (Author)

Book Description

Release date: July 9, 2002

Celebrate thirty years of the world’s most notorious rockband with the deluxe collectors’ edition of The Dirt—the outrageous, legendary,no-holds-barred autobiography of Mötley Crüe. Fans have gotten glimpses into the band’s crazy worldof backstage scandals, celebrity love affairs, rollercoaster drug addictions,and immortal music in Mötley Crüebooks like Tommyland and TheHeroin Diaries, but now the full spectrum of sin and success by Tommy Lee,Nikki Sixx, Vince Neil, and Mick Mars is an open bookin The Dirt. Even fans alreadyfamiliar with earlier editions of the bestselling exposé will treasure this gorgeous deluxe edition.  Joe Levy at Rolling Stone calls The Dirt“without a doubt . . . the most detailedaccount of the awesome pleasures and perils of rock & roll stardom I haveever read. It is completely compelling and utterly revolting.”

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In the beginning there was the Motley House, crawling with cockroaches and rats, beer cans piled on the porch so high they threatened to spill into the house every time you opened the door. "That place gave birth to Motley Crue," the band recalls in The Dirt: The Autobiography of Motley Crue. After the record contract, they write, "like a pack of mad dogs we abandoned the bitch, leaving with enough reckless, aggravated testosterone to spawn a million bastard embryo metal bands." Crue members Tommy Lee, Mick Mars, Vince Neil and Nikki Sixx also team up with New York Times music writer Neil Strauss to tell the story of their band's rise to phenomenal success: their tours, friendships, alcohol and drug problems, music, influence and, above all, girls. No heavy metal fan will want to be without this crude, honest chronicle.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

The most influential, enduring, and iconic metal band of the 1980's reveals everything a tell-all of epic proportions.

This unbelievable autobiography explores the rebellious lives of four of the most influential icons in American rock history.

Motley Crue was the voice of a barely pubescent Generation X, the anointed high priests of backward-masking pentagram rock, pioneers of Hollywood glam, and the creators of MTV's first "power ballad." Their sex lives claimed celebrities from Heather Locklear to Pamela Anderson to Donna D'Errico. Their scuffles involved everyone from Axl Rose to 2LiveCrew. Their hobbies have included collecting automatic weapons, cultivating long arrest records, pushing the envelope of conceivable drug abuse, and dreaming up backstage antics that would make Ozzy Osbourne blanch with modesty.

Provocatively written and brilliantly designed, this book includes over 100 photos, many never before published, for the most exciting and insightful look ever into the Crue.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers; First Edition edition (July 9, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060989157
• ISBN-13: 978-0060989156
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 1.3 x 9.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (500 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,910 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #9 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > History & Criticism
  • #19 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Musical Genres > Rock
  • #41 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Arts & Literature > Composers & Musicians

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

108 of 114 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Lewd, Crude, Rude, and -(what?)- Sensitive! July 31, 2001

By doomsdayer520 HALL OF FAME

Format:Hardcover

This autobiography strongly resembles the Aerosmith book "Walk This Way" from a few years ago. You start out with the band's early days of non-stop partying, drugs, and chicks, and it's like the fun never stops. Then the story gets darker as the drugs take their toll and everyone loses their friends, money, and careers (at least temporarily). This pattern is clearly evident in the Motley Crue book, and to an even more extreme level than Aerosmith. The debauchery of the early years is truly excessive and explosive. If you love to act that way yourself, or do it vicariously by reading about the exploits of others, then you'll love those portions of this book. The only drawback is lurid descriptions of degrading things being done to women.

When the darkness sets in, I was surprised by the senstive and emotional writing of the guys in the band. Mick Mars (an extremly funny guy) discusses his painful bone disease that will probably lead to his early demise, Nikki Sixx (who's more intelligent than I imagined) talks about his traumatic childhood and family life, and Tommy Lee (a real sweetheart) includes his letters to Pamela from prison and shows a deep love for his sons. The most moving part of the book is when Vince Neil (who I don't think is a very cool person otherwise) discusses the death of his four-year old daughter from cancer, and how it changed his entire outlook on life.

This book also avoids the pitfalls of many biographies (and history books) by covering all time periods equally, instead of ignoring recent history at the expense of the glorified good old days. There's good coverage of the band's years with temporary singer John Corabi, and their recent not-so-glamorous struggles with the changing musical landscape. The only problem in this regard is the lack of dates and specific historical information, if you're the type that wants to know exactly when things happened. Otherwise, this was an extremely entertaining book, covering the expected rock star excesses with a surprising amount of realism and sensitivity. Good for both Crue fans and general rock fans alike.

105 of 126 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars THEATRE OF PAIN...INDEED! February 9, 2002

By M. Grant VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

I'm not a fan of Motley Crue (the people or their music) but this book came to my attention through all of the stories I have heard over the years. As far as rock biographies go, it's a fast paced read. Motley Crue epitomizes the message of "Sex, Drugs, and Rock N' Roll!" So since there are so many other reviews I think I'll just share what I have learned about the band members through their 430 page opus.

Vince Neil has the most penultimate tear-jerker in the chapter that deals with the death of his daughter. In a book made to shock and astonish, this was as touching a moment as anything I have read. Beyond his love and loss, he comes off like a stand-up guy who enjoys the life style and isn't making excuses.

Nikki Sixx had a rough childhood and has so many father-son issues it's not even funny. While I respect the fact that he's been through more turmoil than I'll ever know...get over it. There's nothing more pathetic than listening to rock star millionaires pining away about how sad they are. I guess money can't buy happiness.

Mick Mars has the least to say in this book and this left me the most intrigued. He has battled rough times from personal illness to divorce to just plain being the victim of emotional abuse. I'm amazed he stayed with the band as long as he has. His is the true sad story in The Dirt.

Tommy Lee...moron. Here is the epitome of a millionaire jerk who just never learns. How a guy like this managed to bag babes like Heather Locklear, Pamela Anderson, and Carmen Electra...is beyond me. Don't expect to learn anything from his chapters except to see a spoiled baby who is used to getting anything he wants, and if he doesn't then the tantrums start...then and now.

It's a testament to this book that I enjoyed reading it. The chapters flow quickly telling each band member's story and author Neil Strauss never slows down. And unlike biographies by other rock groups, these characters actually have some bizarre stories to tell...and how they survived is beyond me. While I may not be racing out to buy any Crue music, I'm very happy that I read this biography.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow! Man, be prepared to be blown away! May 22, 2001

By PJ

Format:Hardcover

Most people know that Motley Crue was/is a crazy band. We know the stories of them dating playboy playmates, getting crazy with Ozzy Osbourne and doing crazy drugs. But, in The Dirt, you get all the nasty, gutrenching information on one of the greatest Rock N Roll bands to ever walk this earth. The book covers each of the band members childhood. To the suprising story of Vince Neil growing up on Compton, CA and already getting hot chicks at age 16, to Nikki's very strange and sad childhood. The book covers the Crue's early days of partying, which should warn people to be get ready to be shocked, amused, grossed out, stunned and freaked out. The book also captures each of the band members honesty. Neil Strauss not only did a great job of writing, but also getting each band member to open up. The chapater on Vince losing his daughter was very tough to read. I must admit, I got emotional. The stories about all the girls is crazy and fun to read. It makes you feel want to be one of the guy's so much, but then you read about how these guys have sufferd in life as well. Not just with heavy drug use, but losing money and family. At the end of the book, you will most likely take a deep breath and say...Wow! I cannot believe these guys lived through all this. Weather your a Motley Crue fan or even a Rock N Roll fan for that matter, this book is a must read. I always thought only a movie and not a book could blow me away, but I was very wrong after I read "The Dirt"