Motley Crue Week: Wednesday

I originally wrote about this on February 19, 2011. A true piece of Motley Crue history. The band preforms the Beatles hit "Paperback Writer" at the Starwood in 1981. This isn't a polished Beatles cover - but it does give us a glimpse of what Motley became! Just think - this performance is 38 years old and the band became huge beyond their wildest dreams. I thought this look in the vault was worth another peek - especially since we're praising all things old Crue this week!

Comments

[Him]

A fun little flashback, though not a particularly good one. I have to assume that song idea was Mick's. "Helter Skelter" was a better song for them to nick considering their overall sound.

The Sirius/XM fun continues today. Heard "Danger" a few minutes ago. And they can't stop playing "Like A Virgin." I dunno. Smart move, I guess. But I think the chorus is way too slow for how they punk up the rest of the song. That's probably just me though.

[Metalboy!]

This Starwood ‘81 video captures their first show ever performed in public and was filmed by nine other than our long lost friend, Ace Steele, a former frequent commentor on this site.

As HIM has also remarked, Ace is a wealth of knowledge about the Sunset Strip in the 80’s, having lived while he played in the Glam Metal band, Actress, performing on the Strip regularly for years. Hopefully, we will see him commenting again on BBG! soon!

Crüe also performed a killer cover of The Raspberries’ “Tonight” during the show and also miraculously documented by Ace.

p.s. HIM, while their current cover of “Like A Virgin” is awesome, I contend the title track from the upcoming soundtrack “The Dirt” is even better! Only 2 more days to go!

[Shawn]

Father Zakk Wylde posted a cover of him doing Randy's solo to over the mountain yesterday and i thought of Ace. Hope he is doing well..

[Gary]

@Shawn. Can’t believe Randy was taken away 37 years ago yesterday. That’s hard to fathom for me,considering there’s still people profiting from their association with him in bands. (I’m not speaking of Mr.. Wylde, who’s “Bringing Metal To The Children”) 🤘As for Ace, when I decide to come to Vegas, I’m gonna hound dog you out to get you nice and liquored up, my treat. Hope you’re alive and grinding along 😎

[Bkallday]

It's hard to believe Vince was ever that skinny. When is he due, btw? Does anyone have any clue? Boy or girl? Details!!!!

[Dj]

Very cool to see footage of them in the early early days, although I do agree the cover of Helter Skelter was a better choice given their style and the attitude of Shout At The Devil. This would've been a cool studio cover for Too Fast For Love, especially if they played it in a similar style of Tonight.

[Bob]

Metalboy!, my good sir, excellent call on "tonight" by the Raspberries. On one of the re-releases of TFFL, I forget which one, there is an excellent studio version of "tonight" that the Crue did in '81. If you haven't heard it, try to track it down. they do a great job with it, (Even Vince's vocal harmonies are spot on." Gary, if you come out to Vegas, maybe I can try to get there as well for a mini BBG hangout. Vegas is only a five-hour drive from San Diego, and my lovely wife is always up for a road trip. Speaking of randy, let's not forget that, only a few days ago, we lost Bernie Torme who did a very admirable job filling in at the very last minute after Randy passed. According to Dee snider, who knew Bernie quite well, Bernie had never done hammer-on solos before he had to do them in Ozzy's band in front of thousands of people. Pretty amazing stuff.

[Shawn]

@Bob yes I was shocked to see Bernie had passed another one gone way to soon. I picked up a couple of new to me guitars recently and a new amp courtesy of work. I have been fumbling around with Randy's work but he was just in another class all unto himself. Gary you gotta
teach me how to rip that diminished arpeggio ...