A Piece of Motley's Past...

Two great videos here: clips of Motley Crue rehearsing for their 1994 tour with John Corabi. The clips focus mainly on Nikki Sixx and Tommy Lee. Apparently there are more clips - but the owner hasn't yet uploaded for lack of views. If you all click the links and watch the clips, maybe the owner will upload the rest of these videos and we can see more of Motley's history.

Even in turmoil, I'm always amazed at how happy Nikki seemed during this period. Perhaps he was truly optimistic at the possibility of a new singer. The chance for change. A new direction. Whatever the case, Nikki's spirits are clearly high in this clip - and Tommy Lee and Mick Mars are jovial as well.

We don't see too much of John Corabi in these clips. I suppose throughout his tenure with Motley Crue, Corabi intrinsically knew that was the fifth wheel. Vince was physically gone, but his ghost remained. The nineties were tough for Glam bands. Even tougher for a band that had just kicked out a very loved and famous lead singer.

John Corabi is immensely talented - and Motley Crue's self-titled 1994 release is an amazing album. Those people that say it sucks simply can't get past the notion that it is Motley Crue without Vince. Regardless of whether this is right or wrong, Nikki Sixx owns the Motley machine and - at one time - decreed Corabi the new Vince. I consider Motley Crue among the best of their canon - and consistently rank the release within the top three efforts by the band.

Here is part one of the rehearsal footage:

Here is part two. Of the two clips, this is my favorite.

The best thing about YouTube is rediscovering a band's personal history. Fans get to live the ups and downs through moving clips. The bands themselves get to hide from the evidence!