Motley Crue finish their fourth LP
by Ben Liemer

Even in a relatively quiet year like 1986, in which Motley Crue did not release an album, California's craziest still forced their way into the hot glare of media attention. Nikki Sixx, Vince Neil, Tommy Lee and Mick Mars actually tried to maintain a low profile as they commenced work on their fourth album. Pause for a moment and consider that fact - their fourth LP. Think back to when Elektra Records' Tom Zutaut signed a band that he knew possessed undeniable star quality. The talent scout was uneasy, however - the Crue's formidable reputation, if it stayed true to prior form, might find them broken up, dead, arrested or too burned out to survive the tour-and-record grind. Motley Crue have proved the cynics wrong. In January, 1987, they are legitimate veterans; on the 17th, they celebrated their sixth anniversary as a band. Their forthcoming longplayer, Girls, Girls, Girls, scheduled for March release, is expected to be their most mature musical effort to date. As Circus Magazine went to press, Sixx and Lee had completed all rhythm tracks and Mars was recording guitar parts under the guidance of their returning studio team of producer Tom Werman and engineer Duane Baron. Group co-manager Doug Thaler noted that the glam 'n' damn rockers were using "a new method of working in the studio for this album." New tracks slated to appear will be the title tune, "Dancing on Glass," "All in the Name of Rock and Roll" and "Five Years Dead." In addition, the "Motleyized" version of "Jailhouse Rock" will finally appear on Girls, Girls, Girls. Naturally, the new release will coincide with new costumes, a new stage show and another extended tour. The international trek in support of Theatre of Pain lasted some eight months before the Crue took their final bows in front of an Italian audience on March 7, 1986. The return to live action is music to Motley fans' ears - the black 'n' blonde-haired rockers haven't blasteda U.S. arena since a December 21,1985 date in Florida. For Nikki, the past year remained as busy as ever. In addition to writing songs for his LP, Sixx found time to collaborate with Gene Simmons on some numbers. Both artists expressed optimism at this short initial meeting and hope to write soundtrack material together in the future. Nikki also worked with his ex-girlfriend Lita Ford on a tune or two. Sixx's Crue-mate Tommy Lee was made an honest man by T.V. star Heather Locklear on May 10. The newlyweds set up shop in Heather's home and were eagerly snapped by celebrity photographers during their 1986 public appearances. Married or not, Lee's wildman ways continued. In the early summer, Tommy took a spill while performing a wheelie on his dirtbike. Lee's ankle was placed in a cast, but its fiberglass composition itched him badly. Pronouncing himself healed, Dr. Lee cut the cast off well ahead of schedule. Fortunately, the drummer seems to have been a quick healer. For Vince Neil, 1986 was literally a sobering year, a year of unpleasant responsibilities and maturation. In June, the peroxided singer entered Gardena City jail to fulfill the 30-day sentence stemming from his December, 1984 car accident. Reportedly, Neil made the mistake of watching Sean Penn's violent reform-school movie, Bad Boys, shortly before doing his time. Vince's initial unease soon ended, though, as his sentence was reduced to 18 days with time off for good behavior. As always, guitarist Mick Mars continued his publicity-shy ways this year. He moved from his former residence in California's Marina del Rey to a new home further up the peninsula, continuing to work on the bluesy rock riffs that garnered him the 1985 Circus Magazine Readers' Poll Best Guitarist award. On the home video front, Motley Crue's Uncensored video compilation was unveiled in time to stuff many a Christmas stocking. Featuring everything from Nikki being interviewed as he had a new tattoo applied to Vince splashing it up with a bevy of beauties in the unique "swimming-pool-onwheels" ultra-stretch limousine, Uncensored should keep metal-hungry Motley fans satiated until the arrival of Girls.