Elektra Records decided to sign the band shortly thereafter, reissuing their debut in 1982. Mötley Crüe quickly built a strong fan base and they released their debut album, Too Fast for Love in 1981, on their own independent label (Leathür Records). Mötley Crüe from left to right: Nikki Sixx, Lee, Mick Mars, and Vince Neil. Mars recommended a singer Tommy had met while in high school, Vince Neil, who soon joined the group, and Mötley Crüe was formed.
Shortly afterward, guitarist Mick Mars joined the band. At this time, he changed his name to Tommy Lee and earned the nickname "T-bone" due to his 6′ 2½″ height and his skinny physique. Casually, Sixx was forming a theatrical band that would specialize in anthemic heavy metal, and was impressed by Lee's drumming. At this time he met future bandmate, Nikki Sixx. His first successful band Suite 19 played the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles during the late 70s. After transferring from South Hills High School (West Covina, California) he joined the marching band at Royal Oak High School (now Royal Oak Middle School) in Covina, California, but dropped out of school in his senior year to focus on his musical career. After listening to Kiss, his main drum influence became Peter Criss. 1964), who was married to James Kottak, the drummer for the band Scorpions and she was also the drummer of his solo band KrunK.Īs a teen he listened to Queen, Kiss, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin and Judas Priest. Lee has one younger sister, Athena Lee (Athena Michelle Bass, b. He received his first drum when he was four and his first drum kit when he was a teenager. His family moved to West Covina, California one year after his birth. Lee was born on October 3, in Athens, Greece, as Thomas Lee Bass, the son of David Oliver Bass, a US Army serviceman of Welsh descent, and Vassiliki Papadimitriou, a former Miss Greece.
Pamela Anderson & Tommy Lee San Manuel Amphitheater