Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee sent out a tweet over the weekend making fun of Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich’s notorious inability to keep time during the band’s live performances. The tweet was a parody of the Straight Outta Compton film’s title logo with the space originally occupied by “Compton” replaced with “Tempo” and a photo backdrop of Lars playing the drums.
Just a few hours before Tommy sent out his tweet, Metallica and Motley Crue shared the stage at the Rock In Rio festival in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.
According to Blabbermouth.net, The feud between the bands stems back to an incident nearly two decades ago when Ulrich accused Motley Crue of performing to a tape at the American Music Awards in January 1997. After learning of Ulrich’s allegations, M.C. bassist Nikki Sixx posted an “open letter” to the Metallica drummer on an American Online message board, writing: “Dear, Sweet, Fat, Balding, Larz (love the make-up, babe!) Taking your ever-moronic soapbox position on a subject that’s NONE of your f–king business has made you out to be an a–hole as usual. Considering that me and Tommy know that your live tapes have been re-recorded. And ALL your instruments were repaired in Pro Tools (and had the balls to lie to your fans an call it a ‘live’ album)… People in glass houses should NOT throw rocks!! Considering your bulls–t to the press, we feel it’s only fair to return the punch!!…Your [sic] such a poseur…Thanks for releasing that ‘load’ of s–t CD of yours…you made more room for us!!”
In a 2012 interview with DRUM! magazine, Ulrich stated about his playing ability: “I usually feel like I’ve regressed. [laughs] I’m like, ‘Why can’t I do that anymore?'”
He continued: “I can’t say that I necessarily sit down to practice, like, ‘I’m going to play and practice so I can get better.’ What happens is that I just sit down and kind of play to just more stay in shape.”
37 Responses
Mike,I’ll go with Peart,Bonham (these 2 are in a class of their own),Dave Lombardo (for the whole double bass machine gun thing) and Moonie. Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa are Gods of a different era and genre,without whom none of these aforementioned guys are around….
Buddy Rich is also one of my favorites, as was Ed Shaughnessy from Doc Severinsen’s “The Tonight Show Band” when Carson used to host.
D 🙂
Lee shouldn’t rag Lars about Tempo… not when could go after him for the snare sound on St. Anger and taking the bass out of And Justice for All. Tommy may not be the most technical drummer out there, but his sound is consistently good and he knows how to put on a show.
Mike: I’ll take Rich, Aldridge and Peart as well but add Bozzio and Portnoy
Powell!! 😉
D 🙂
Saw Cozy with Rainbow three times Dana and you’re correct in that the guy was an animal behind the kit. For me to notice that (being a guitarist for 40 some years) whilst Mr. Blackmore was running roughshod on his various Strat’s should tell you all you need to know about Cozy! \m/ Dude could hammer.
You’re lucky Gary,
I never had the chance to see Powell, nor Randy Rhoads, play live. I was too young, unfortunately, and really envy those who have had those experiences.
Cheers,
D 🙂
Well, at least Lars doesn’t tape his drum solos ( granted he doesn’t DO them…) like Tommy does. Tommy frequently uses a drum track during his solos. I guess that’s the trade off for using Barnum & Bailey type attractions.
If true, that is kind of sad, because Tommy can drum.
He doesn’t need all those theatrics to have a good solo. I guess he thinks just having skills isn’t good enough to keep the crowd entertained during a drum solo, and being a percussion enthusiast, he is somewhat correct.
D 🙂
At least Lars didn’t kick his wife in the back while she was holding his baby…
Good lists ,but I don’t know about Baker,and Mitchell blowing crazy moonie away.Moon was a beast!!