Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee is refusing to take part in meet-and-greet sessions on the band’s current tour because he says he doesn’t agree with fans paying $899 for the band’s Kickstart My Heart ticket package.
Lee says, “For those of you that are asking why I am not doing any more meet-and-greets – it’s got nothing to do with me not wanting to meet the fans. I just don’t agree with doing it under the given circumstances. I love you all and I’ll gladly high-five y’all if I see you – and you won’t have to pay me for that.”
Last year Lee released a furious statement slamming fan who tried to take photos in private circumstances, stating, “You wouldn’t want a handshake standing at the pisser in the bathroom next to me, would you? Or when you’re eating a quiet meal with your family, some rude jackass comes up and asks for a picture. Just take a second and think: is this cool?”
He later revealed the outburst came after someone attempted to snap a picture while he was collecting the ashes of his recently-departed mother.
source: classicrockmagazine.com
15 Responses
So…He’s going to be doing it for free?!? Yeah right….most likely not doing it at all and trying to make himself look like he’s standing up for the fans….just an opinion
I’ve been trying to call into the show, but I definitely have an opinion on this and want Eddie Truck to READ this:
I’ve been backstage whether by luck or by paying for VIP meet and greets VERY many times.
I have to say from a fan’s point of view, most of them would respond to Tommy’s latest opinion, to be full of it. Some of these die hard fans only get ONE opportunity perhaps in their lifetime to meet their rockstar idol. Perhaps it’s the rockstar that got them through hard times with the music, or someone that inspired them to play an instrument, and they just want that face to face one on one contact to tell them that or to meet them. And really let’s face it, Music is a business and rockstars know that it IS a business that makes and pulls in money for both them and the fans that want to see them. If these die-hard fans or I’ve seen even parents of little kids, PAY for these meet and greets for their kids. THE members of these bands that do these vip meet and greets should damn well show up at the meet and greets to meet their fans that have paid their hard earned money to have that once in a lifetime opportunity to meet them. In my opinion, it’s a contract between you paying and what you are supposed to get with your meet and greet package. If it says that you are supposed the band, THEN the band members should stick to their end of the bargain and CONTRACT. It may be an unwritten one, but to fans of these bands, it’s common courtesy.
I also think it’s fair to say, in middle America, I don’t think that the common fan is going be able to just meet Tommy Lee walking down the street FREE OF CHARGE. It just isn’t going to happen and I think it’s a cop out from him personally to be that big of himself to think HE really is that accessible to people in that way. Rockstars like him just AREN’T.
And from the fan’s point of view, I can tell you, when we are all backstage usually we think badly of the band or a band member, if they choose not to do a meet and greet, because we can’t help but take it personally or we really think they just aren’t loyal to the fans. Now I know, that this isn’t the case, because many times, the band has no control over circumstances that prevent them sometimes from not showing at a scheduled meet and greet, but from fans point of view, THIS is what true fans of a band think when they are patiently waiting for the band to show after they have shelled out BIG BUCKS to meet the guys.
Again, these meet and greets are voluntary and when people are voluntarily paying $500 and up to get a good seat for a concert, get autographs, pictures, and perhaps meet a band or even ONE band member, it really says alot for and to the fans of that band when they DELIVER everything they say they will!!! And that means, poor Tommy Lee, for your fans, YOU should be bigger than your ego and show up at these meet and greets for YOUR fans that are paying good money to meet you, because THEY PAID for it. When it says “MEET THE BAND”, it means all the band members including YOU!
I think it’s a responsibility that band members should have towards their fans if their fans are willing to shell out the cash!
You are messed up. You pay to meet people This is whats wrong with America. I an meet anyone .. it takes a little effort but by knowing people and being respected by them pretty much anyone is on the table for facetime.
You are so lazy you want to pay for it. Of course I am sure your company is something that indeed you must pay anyone to endure. No one is under contract to meet you. Even if you are willing to pay them.
Seriously you have problems. Paying people to meet them is hilarious. What a shmuck
Good for him! Metallica should take the same stand! Their meet and greets are out of the this world!
$899 ?????? Stick it to the fans and break it off. Didn’t they have a stint in Vegas a while back? Real rock and roll, guys.
Several years ago Mötley Crüe appeared in Des Moines Iowa where we live. My then 13 yr old daughter begged me to take her. After the concert she wanted to wait around to meet Nikki. He did come out & greet the fans who stuck around. My daughter is tiny so Nikki picked her up, took several photos with her & signed the back of her jean jacket. She will never forget that. I think Tommy Lee came out to greet fans too but she only wanted to meet Nikki.
Fast forward to Bon Jovi concert a year later, again with my young daughter. I knew someone in the arena management & my daughter was selected to go onstage with the band…mostly people who had won tickets from local radio stations. Again, because my daughter was the only non-adult in the group, Jon sought her out & sang to her.
Things have changed since those concerts. Now fans have to pay to meet the musicians & in many cases are not allowed to take photos. Instead of paying for the meet & greets, fans should stop buying those “VIP” packages & maybe send a message to the promoter. I agree with Tommy!