“I told Nikki one night, ‘Man, we’ve gotta be great to fuckin’ follow [the Scorpions],’” says vocalist Vince Neil with a hearty laugh. “They’re no slouches, man—they’re one of my favorite bands!” 

If Vince had any reservations about the ability of his band to generate onstage excitement in the wake of performing following the Scorpions, they were certainly unfounded. Attacking the stage each night with a savage ferocity on the Maximum Rock tour, Mötley Crüe blazed with the reckless abandon of a band determined to wreak rock and roll havoc on their audience. 

1999 proved to be a year of intense transition for Mötley Crüe. Following a return-to-basics Greatest Hits tour in the wake of the underrated, highly experimental Generation Swine disc, drummer Tommy Lee announced his plans to leave the band he helped form in 1981. Determined to rejuvenate his personal life with his family, Tommy also harbored a creative interest in pursuing contemporary rock-infused hip hop music based on more of a rhythmical approach. 

In typical Mötley fashion, controversy raged over the change, as well as speculation as to whom would be a suitable drummer to propel the Crüe. In the end, longtime Ozzy Osbourne drummer Randy Castillo was the logical choice—and, as far as Vince was concerned, the only choice. And, in an unusual twist of irony, it was Tommy Lee who actually recommended Castillo to Ozzy back in the mid-eighties. 

Originally interviewed by Prime Choice during the Spring of 1997, Vince sat down for his third conversation with editor Roger Lotring. Good-natured and a jovial conversationalist, Vince spoke unreservedly about the changes within the band, as well as the forthcoming double-live disc set for release in time for the holiday season. And, more significantly, Vince addressed the opinion of some fans that the “Crucial Crue” series of catalog re-issues is nothing more than a marketing ploy to incite fans to buy new copies of albums that they already have—opinions of which he was not aware, and outwardly shocked to hear. 

Which was the more difficult adjustment for you, Tommy Lee leaving the band, or your own dismissal years ago?

Neither, really. I mean, when I was fired from the band, I just really jumped into my own thing, and it was really exciting. So, actually, that was a good time for me. I learned a lot from that, putting out my solo records.

With Tommy leaving the band...y’know, it’s hard to play with somebody who does not wanna be there—who’s not into the music; who’s into a totally different style of music. So, it was a bit of a beating sometimes. With him gone, with him pursuing what he really wants to do with his rap career, we’re having a good time and moving on.

How have the dynamics of the band changed without Tommy being a part of the equation?

Tommy had a presence—y’know, he was Tommy Lee! Of course that’s missed, but Randy Castillo is such a great rock and roll drummer who played with Ozzy Osbourne for many, many years. And he just fits right in, man! We’re on tour right now, and the fans just really seem to love him. He’s just a pure rock and roll drummer.

Was Randy your first choice to step in, or were other drummers considered as well?

Well, there were some other drummers considered, but Randy was my first choice. It was funny, because, see, Randy actually went on tour with me in my solo career also. I’ve known Randy for many, many years. I was actually away on vacation, and I talked to Nikki on the phone. He said, “Dude, out of everybody, who would you want to drum?” And I just said Randy Castillo. Nikki didn’t really know that much about Randy. And then I guess he talked to Mick also, and Mick’s first choice was Randy...and I think Mick was out of town also. So, this all kind of got thrown in Nikki’s lap. [Vince and Roger both laugh]

So he had a meeting with Randy, and it was great; everything just clicked. Since Randy was not on tour with Ozzy—and he knew a lot of the Mötley tunes—he’s a very cool guy, a good drummer.

Well, it’s a tough gig, y’know? I mean, to know that everyone has their eyes on you...plus, as you said, those are some impressive shoes to have to fill. But that having been said, I saw the show in Hartford—

Oh, cool.

I thought Randy did a really admirable job. At this point, though, do you feel like you’ve settled into a groove, or is it still too early in the tour to tell yet?

It’s still a little early, I think, y’know? I mean, remember, he came in this, like, right out of the blue. Y’know, he’s still just trying to get comfortable with...actually, with playing with Nikki, because, y’know, the drums and the bass have to really gel together. Nikki and Tommy played together for so many years, they could actually read each other’s minds, y’know? I mean, Nikki could move his hand, and Tommy knew exactly what he was going to be doing! And, vice-versa. So, they’re just starting to get feeling good together. Another couple weeks, it’s just going to be really smokin’.

And you’re out there with the Scorpions—

The Scorpions are awesome!

That’s gotta pump you guys up even harder to have to follow that.

[Laughs] Dude, I told Nikki that one night, too. I go, “Man, we’ve gotta be fuckin’ great to fuckin’ follow these guys.” They’re no slouches, man, and they’re like—they’re one of my favorite bands! I mean, I feel so fuckin’ honored for them to just be on the bill. We’ve been friends with them forever. We did a show ten years ago in Russia together, and we played the US Festival together [in] 1983. And we did some shows with them in Europe back in like, ‘85, I think. Yeah, I mean, those guys are like a machine. They have so many good songs, and we can’t go out there and just fuck around, man! [Laughs] It makes us a better band, to have to follow a band like that.