Motley Crue, Poison & The New York Dolls Show Preview: at the Hollywood Bowl in Hollywood, CA – June 14, 2011

This summer’s most controversial package tour comes to the greater Los Angeles area just in time to kick off the summer season at the Hollywood Bowl. The sunset strips most notorious bad boys (Motley Crue) gone sober are stopping by at the bowl with their ex rivals Poison with opening support by the legendary New York Dolls.

Motley Crue formed in 1981 at a time when LA’s infamous sunset strip was a hotbed for emerging metal and punk acts. Their outlandish looks fused with their unique sound helped propel them to become a stand out band in America and beyond. Album after album and hit after hit, The Crue became one of the largest bands of the decade and became known for so much more, mainly their excesses. Going from playing venues like the roxy to playing the US festival secured their place in rock history, yes the band had its down to earth roots, but were able to play to the masses as well. Platinum record sales, sold out concerts and run ins with the law summed up their decadent lifestyles, this band wrote the book on how to cheat death time after time and maintain a career in music. The Albums Too Fast For Love, Girls Girls Girls and Dr. Feelgood are regarded as classic sleaze albums and continue to sell greatly to this day. The band is on tour this summer celebrating their 30th anniversary. With 80 million records sold under their collective snake skin belts, The Crue remain one of the most successful acts to hail from Hollywood.

The band known as Poison came from the great state of Pennsylvania to Los Angeles mid way thru the 80’s in search of a record deal. They found that deal with Enigma Records (home of TSOL, 45 Grave, Devo) and went on to become one of the hottest transplant bands on the scene. Their nearly identical look and sound to Motley Crue created a riff in the press and on the streets, often causing fans to choose which side they were on. Their feel good pop metal hits define 80’s Glam Metal and has been a phrase the band has tried to shake since the 90’s. Classic Poison hits have gone on to be included in many movies, and even on broadways Rock Of Ages musical. Nowadays the band’s lead vocalist Brett Michaels is best known for his reality TV work on the program Rock Of Love and The Celebrity Apprentice. Poison is celebrating their 25th year as a band this summer.

The New York Dolls are placed first on the bill and serve as openers, though have a career that has influenced the following headliners. Formed over 35 years ago in New York, The Dolls forever changed the landscape of rock music; their influence is responsible for many of punk rock, heavy metal and hard rocks leading bands of the last 3 decades. With 2 surviving members still in the band (David Johansen on vocals, and Sylvain Sylvain on guitar) the Dolls have enlisted David Bowie’s legendary guitar player Earl Slick as Steve Conte’s replacement along with their low profile drummer and bassist. The Dolls are on tour in support of their latest album Dancing Backward in High Heels which is a terrific release and certainly their finest post reunion work. Make sure to show up early and not miss one of the most influential bands of all time.

Its likely sales of Aquanet Hairspray are going to sky rocket this summer; you can thank Motley Crue, Poison and The New York dolls for that. Expect to see Glam rockers, Glitter Punks, Metal heads, teased hair, black leather, lipstick and plenty of eyeliner adorned men at the gig. This show will bring out the oldest fans and a new generation of fans catching these bands for the first time. One could also expect real life scenes out of heavy metal parking lot coming to life before your very eyes, it’s gonna be a hoot!
Show starts at 7:00 pm.

 

-Louie B.-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

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