It had been about 35-years, countless scandals, rehab sessions and multiple celebrity ex-marriages since Mötley Crüe first pulled on their spandex trousers and took to the stage.
But the end is in sight, with Friday's Abu Dhabi show part of their Farewell Tour. The band were never the biggest of the punk-influenced exponents of 1980s LA hair rock, but they were undeniably one of the first. Their 1981 debut album, Too Fast for Love, predating the likes of Guns n' Roses' multi-platinum selling Appetite for Destruction by six years.
Although the relatively cosy crowd at du Arena was testament to the fact the Crüe never challenged the likes of 1980s metal peers such as G n’R or Bon Jovi in terms of sales, their cult status meant every member of the audience was a devotee, singing along to every song, revelling in every exhortation from frontman Vince Neil, and loving every explosion and fire-burst that erupted on Crüe’s notoriously busy stage.
Opening with a pair of classics – Girls, Girls, Girls and Wild Side – the momentum rarely slipped. All the favourites were dusted off, from early mainstays such as Shout at the Devil and Smokin' in the Boys Room to their biggest hit, Dr Feelgood, and the bluesy feel-good rocker Same Old Situation.
What was, perhaps, most impressive about the gig was not so much the songs as the sheer level of camaraderie and enjoyment that still exuded from the band. The Crüe have always been known as showmen and, remarkably, considering their hard-living history, that remains true to this day.
Sure, the heydays when drummer Tommy Lee could reasonably demand revolving drum cages or taking his kit on a rollercoaster ride over the heads of the audience from obedient promoters may be behind them, but they still put heart and soul into the performance, and the obvious bond between the members onstage was clear throughout.
The stage show was as bombastic as ever – most of the set was on fire at one point or another, and Nikki Sixx’s flame-throwing bass guitar was in full effect, to the delight of fans.
I've seen Mötley Crüe several times over the years – something a would-be serious music critic possibly shouldn't admit – and although traditional set-closer Home Sweet Home has always given a strangely emotional twist to the end of an otherwise outrageous gig, there was an added poignancy last night.
Perhaps a little bit of youth died in all of us, knowing that these perennial festival favourites will soon be retire from the stage forever.
cnewbould@thenational.ae
