Tom Werman on Nikki Sixx Not Playing Bass on Motley Crue's Theatre of Pain - 2024 Interview

This is a full in bloom interview with producer Tom Werman. Tom talks about his new book, Turn It Up!: My Time Making Hit Records In The Glory Days Of Rock Music, and Nikki Sixx's bass playing on the Motley Crue albums.
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"It wasn't Nikki (Sixx) playing bass" on Motley Crue's Theatre of Pain Says 'Eye Witness' Greg Leon:
• "It wasn't Nikki (Sixx...
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Intro & Outro by FOOL OF FATE
#motleycrue #nikkisixx #mickmars #tommylee #vinceneil

[@arloroan3168]

I remember an episode of "Driven" on MTV where the producer calls the manager during Shout at the Devil and says "We got the drums and the guitar down, but your singer can't sing and your bass player can't play!" The manager replied "No shit, they never could. That's why we hired you."

[@williamlangeii4012]

How can anybody believe a guy (Nikki) who claims to have remembered everything he did while high (and passed out) on heroin? He says he'd get wasted on it and then start writing everything down that happened. It's interesting that no other heroin addict in the history of the drug was able to do so

[@johnnybradin5112]

Even William Burroughs and Samuel Taylor Coleridge writing was more semi-lucid dreaming.

[@themadmattster9647]

My theory: Nikki played on the first two. He was out of his gourd from drugs on Theater and being strapped for time got a session bassist for a few songs. Absolutely believable

[@icemansify]

Sixx smashed his Porsche into a wall destroying his shoulder, it knocked him out of action from early 83 to 85, his replacement Matthew Trippe played on Shout and Theater

[@chriscampbell9191]

@sify Any idea who played on the demos for Shout then? And if the shoulder put him out of action from 83 to 85, why does it look like Nikki Sixx is playing bass at the US Festival in Devore in 83, three and a half months before Shout came out? Unless you're talking recordings only. Still, the parts on the Shout recordings don't seem to be any more difficult than what's being played live at Devore. But if his shoulder was completely messed up when Shout was recorded.... point taken. Edited for accuracy: Devore was in May 83, Shout came out in September 83. My bad.

[@muziktrkr]

Why wouldn’t Mick have played bass though? It’s probably more likely that happened and a lot of bands have had drummers play an added guitar rhythm or whatever. Just because someone’s the drummer doesn’t mean that’s their only instrument. The Beatles switched off on instruments a lot! David Gilmour’s played bass, drums and keyboards on some Pink Floyd songs. You can’t always believe what is said in interviews either, even from an industry veteran. Tom is pretty much a “straight shooter” from what he’s said and there have been things he said some of the fans haven’t liked,so of course he’s going to be questioned on some of his quotes and diminished down to “ of course he’s lying he’s plugging his book!”

[@likkidixx]

​@@muziktrkrThis would've been the logical thing to do, as he knew the songs in and out and all. Steve Jones played bass on Nevermind the bollocks also.

[@chadmiller4601]

Nikki played on Shout and Theatre...stop with the lies, rumors, urban legends. Everybody has a story about Crue. The producer Tom Werman right here is telling you Nikki played every note.

[@dwade6322]

Hey folks ever heard of a NDA? I'm pretty sure Tom has signed one in the past and therefore can't talk about some things,can't even pretend to hear of certain rumors . 👍 Tom is a legend,and has accomplished a lot.

[@metaldog70x7]

I agree 100%...even as he was saying NO..he was laughing uncomfortably in my opinion..something commonly done when you..well..when maybe you're not telling the whole story.

[@peacefulbliss1]

Exactly. Lawyers are involved and they have to sign all kinds of papers. There's no way he's going to spill the beans.

[@empireoflizards]

Yeah, I started to realize this guy is all business and will say whatever is the best legal footing...even if it is BS. He sort of lost me at being 'shocked' that rock bands sometimes bring in session players. That was common practice in the 60's; and later, the huge revelation that Dick Wagner and Steve Hunter played the iconic solos on Aerosmith Train Kept A Rollin, for example. Surely he heard of that?

[@rondellschuyler7074]

Country singer and guitarist Vince Gill played the solo part for the Alice Cooper song, The Runaway Train. Amazing. Steve Farris guitarist of Mr. Mr. Played the solo for the song Creatures of the night for Kiss. Robben Ford played some in studio for Kiss. Mike Slammer played on the first two albums for Warrant. TOTO as a band together played sessions for other bands they were friends with. All these behind the scenes players helped make the 1980s music a good time. I am glad for it. My music collection contains some great memories.

[@markn3936]

Jeff Pocaro's drums and Steve Lukather's guitar are all over loads of records in the 80's. Top notch studio cats.

[@dantheman4386]

Even singer coatsh ken tamplin participated on "Revenge" by Kiss. As did Tommy Thayer

[@smokeybear5460]

Screw everything about Niki. Especially his corny little heroin diaries. Least favorite “rocker” (yea right) of all time. Prime example of what one would call “fake”

[@johnbyrnes3790]

there's a reason we in the thrash community called them posers

[@shaunclifton5281]

He couldn't even come up with his own name. He had to steal another singer's stage name.

[@wantsome-zs5sq]

@@johnbyrnes3790 You do realize Motley Crue and Metallica had the same producer Bob Rock right?

[@johnbyrnes3790]

i do. and that's when we started calling metallica sellouts and posers. the black album sucks. try again@@wantsome-zs5sq

[@666Musik]

@@wantsome-zs5sq metallica is a poser band that can't play too lol, they have someone like me produce them that can play everything 😂

[@rticle15]

I use to think I wasnt good enough to play in a band. Nikki didnt care. He just joined bands anyway. His writing got him by while he learned how to play.

[@SJ-ty5rw]

He also somehow was able to take credit for the musical writing credits . Anyone who knows Mick can tell Nikki didn't write those hit riffs . As an example the song Louder than Hell , main riffs , had that Ritchie Blackmore style . Deep Purple was one of Mick's favorite bands . Listen to the last part of the lead solo , on Take Me to the Top . It's from Blackmore's solo on Highway Star . Also the riff for Dr Feelgood , had that catchy hook to it using a chord Hendrix had used . Again Hendrix was one of Mick's favorite players . Nikki wrote the lyrics , but the guy is a fraud as the musical creator in Motley Crue . That's why he hired Bob Rock to produce the new album with John 5 . Without Mick he doesn't know what to do for a hit song musically in their style . He needs Rock to help craft a hit for them

[@elliottstrong686]

Reb Beach and Kip Winger ghosted on tracks and the bands didn't even know they did it. A guy was brought in to play all of the solos on the first Warrant album and they knew about it

[@belfastgypsy1]

The book was one of the most sanctimonious, self loving piles of crap that I have ever had the misfortune to read. Weirdly most who worked with him ended up disliking the man- speaks volumes.

[@sirchromiumdowns2015]

You always bring interesting videos to your viewers. Thanks Full in Bloom. I appreciate your channel.

[@fullinbloom]

I appreciate you. Thank you!

[@richardjcranium]

It was unwritten common knowledge that a lot of people were replaced on records. It's one thing to play live it's another thing to lay down a flawless in time track in a short amount of time. It's a skill a lot of people just don't have. I think it was Lukather that said you don't know how many people don't know they didn't play on their own record. I can't tell you how many times I got a call to come down and save a session and ok here's five grand and a bag of blow and don't say anything.

[@rocknroll6396]

and whats absurd is the notion Werman has NEVER heard of this!! Thatz how you know he is full of sh*t.

[@user-yk4gd1fl4z]

5G and a bag of blow? now THATS a gig. Oh to live in the old days. Oh, and be GOOD!

[@fazole]

Watch the documentary "Hired Guns". It briefly covers session players playing the "star" player's parts on an album. Music is a business! And a hungover, unreliable player is NOT going to cost a record company money!

[@truescotsman4103]

My band decided to do Uncle Tom's Cabin. I started researching and you immediately find album credits show a session player. That's why that music sounds do good. It's actual musicians.

[@thewhiteelephant]

Man, the guitars on that song are killer.

[@truescotsman4103]

@@thewhiteelephant Super fun to play.

[@theblacksquirrel.]

Can't speak to who played bass, but the comment about not knowing about studio musicians during the 80's etc. is just crap... guys like Steve Lukather, Michael Landau, Dann Huff, Tim Pierce were well known and in constant demand.

[@charlesdigennaro4981]

Steve Hunter

[@sbrave]

No surprise. I've heard this since the 80's. Happens more than people think.

[@endtimesprophecybroadcasti2311]

Matt Trippe said he played the bass in the studio on 2 MC albums and was a stand in for Nikki Sixx during the shoulder injury and everybody thought he was crazy. Seems like he was telling the truth.

[@b.m.2434]

Werman still abiding by a expired NDA. Cmon Tom everyone in LA knows Nikki copped his look and clothes from that crazy kid Matt lol.

[@LordVulcan93]

@@b.m.2434 He actually coped it from Blackie Lawless.

[@ThrillingTwo]

​@@b.m.2434or Johnny Thunders

[@cjsutterer4804]

Sounds like if there was a whole bunch of people, he could’ve copped it from then maybe all those people were copying too. Point is, just because you like someone’s look, and that influences how you dress, doesn’t take anything away from it. This is just a stupid argument when people talk about stealing his looks. Jesus, every fucking glam band or hair metal band looked at the same.

[@AceGibson1959]

Wow. My respect for Tom Werman just went down a few notches. Some of the stuff he said was just unbelievable. Just WOW.

[@seanmurphy26]

Dude I really believe that Werman is a scumbag. Took points from every record, but dammit if he hardly did anything to deserve it..

[@machupikachu1085]

@@seanmurphy26 you seriously didn't think Tom did anything? Have you ever recorded an album in a million dollar studio with a world - renowned producer?

[@seanmurphy26]

@machupikachu1085 actually a couple, ever heard of the Scottish outfit, Texas?!

[@rocknroll6396]

​@@machupikachu1085.... you need to hear from some musicians he "produced" who all state he was rarely present and left it up to engineers. why would they ALL lie and he is telling the the truth?!?! Nikki Sixx himself doesnt like Werman. Neither do many others. And the idea he has "NEVER HEARD" of studio musicians being subbed in is a crock of sh*t. He never heard of Bob Ezrin, Bruce Fairbarn, Eddie Kramer, Beau Hill??? All platinum selling rock producers who subbed in studio.musicians on tracks.

[@sira.scottascot8865]

"Shocked" at the idea of a rock band hiring ghost players? Please...

[@hankpikuni7024]

IDK This guy is acting like this is the first he has heard of this. Sketchy.

[@markherring3513]

Agreed...hes never heard of session players on rock alumbs?!?!?! When he was in the heyday of the 80's producing the biggest bands records and highly involved in the community of record producers and he NEVER heard of secret session players on recordings?!?!?

[@itsmebran3805]

Tom Werman's credibility is that of an attorney. He would NOT rat out his own clients. We'll never know the truth.

[@jerrywatt6813]

I saw motley crue often before they got signed mostly at the troubadour and the whiskey he same places my band played and they All played just fine tommy and mick were the standouts of the band in my openion but his bass playing was just fine !!

[@chadmiller4601]

exactly! Nothing wrong with just being solid at bass which for Motley works. It's not Geddy Lee and doesn't have to be.

[@christopherhuff3123]

Kiss was famous for it. They 've admitted it a thousand times. Bob Kulick? Tom's supposedly never heard that before either? Steve Lukather? Dan Huff? He's never heard of them? They did sessions for rock bands who's guitar players suck too . This is unheard of? Really?

[@rticle15]

Neither guitar player played on the first two Warrant album. And Fred Coury, who was a good drummer, didnt play on most Cinderella albums. The lead guitarist in Vixen didnt play on their biggest hit. Kiss played their own stuff until Ace and Peter became unreliable. Then they brought in ghost guitarists and Anton Fig to play drums. It's for sure common.

[@daveg4236]

⁠thats not true. Mike Hammer played solos and a few lead licks on quite a few. The warrant guys played rhythm parts and a few solos. Then Mike taught them what he played for them. Theres an inbloom interview and they go thru track by track

[@ThemFuzzyMonsters]

It seems unlikely “big shot” Tom Werman would discover ghost players in 2024. The ‘80s were competitive, everyone was watching everybody else, he would have known A&R guys, sound engineers or just studio staff that were familiar with it … unless he is playing silly, or did it all himself.

[@rticle15]

@daveg4236 youre right. They did play rhythm guitar. And that wasnt a shot at those guys. They were quality players

[@chriskiefer7493]

This guy is trying to keep the open secret about the music business.

[@alexanders562]

Bless Toms heart for keeping the show biz alive, but it is not uncommon in the industry to bring in players to redo parts at a studio players level for the recording. Live players don't get to focus on the details that studio guys do, just as great studio guys might be boring performers because the showman works on that.

[@henrygvidonas9573]

Kayfabe died years ago, Tom. Decades ago, actually. You're just embarrassing yourself. Session bass players don't need "hours" to learn a song. People like Leland Sklar or Will Lee have described in detail how they work. You can't lie about that stuff anymore, it's out there. Also it's goddamn Motley Crue, not Zappa or King Crimson. It's music made by complete idiots for complete idiots. Nikki Sixx isn't John Entwistle or Steve Harris. You've never heard of members of rock bands being replaced by session players on studio tracks? So you've never heard of bands like Kiss or Cinderella for example? You've never even heard of The Beatles? Guess who plays the drums on "Love Me Do"? Andy White, not Ringo Starr - because producer George Martin ordered to do it that way. Ringo is 83 years old and STILL pissed off that he was replaced by a different drummer on their first EMI single and he only got to play the tambourine on it. That was over 61 years ago - and he still gets angry when he's asked about it.

[@dadolin01]

What's so "crazy" about those "stories" when Nikki himself admitted it to Bob Rock and then Bob Rock spilled the beans publicly? Those "stories" came straight out of the horse's mouth. He had to come clean to Bob Rock before they went in to record Dr. Feelgood because Rock was a serious producer with a respectable reputation. Simple as that.

[@Xarinova]

I have worked on several studio projects where the Producer has totally replaced entire Bass tracks with another player and never even told the original player/performer.

[@hootie297]

If Mick Mars said Nikki played on the albums would anyone on here believe it

[@rickfortine7454]

Sorry, but it is true and Much more common than people think ... I did a grip of no name stuff replacing bad drummers and sometimes it was without the groups knowledge and sometimes it was the members of the group replacing weak crappy tracks in the middle of the night ... We were known as Slingers ... "Drum Slinger" or "Guitar Slinger" as in a hired Gun Slinger !

[@poopsebeb]

Session players could learn an 80’s rock song in 5 minutes

[@hansarneniclasen8665]

It´s well established that the guitarist on the first Warrant records was Mike Slamer, formerly of British band City Boy, and not the guitarist´s in the band. That this is news to Tom Werman is pretty surprising

[@LuisLondonG]

Mike Slamer played solos on the record, but the guitarists form Warrant played on the record.

[@gfgranja]

CC Deville played the solo on Cherry Pie

[@jameshutchinson568]

How is it "well established" when Motley Crue's primary music producer says it's bullshit?? I don't have a dog in this fight, but it's silly to believe in conspiracy theories for no reason.

[@gfgranja]

@@jameshutchinson568 He is talking about Warrant, and Tom said it is news to him, when everybody knows Mike Slammer played.

[@teeoh9192]

Well, at the very least, you can count on Werman to keep a secret. In the face of all these facts, he ABSOLUTELY REFUSES to squeal on Nikki's involvement in the recording process. Not even vague, roundabout hints. Even if he signed an NDA, he could use wording to verify the rumours. AND, I don't think Nikki wants to sue someone over this & be publicly shamed into admitting he didn't play on the records.

[@RolandDeschain1]

Nikki Vanilli.

[@markherring3513]

I was interested in getting the book until iheard this interview...hes actually saying hes never heard of secret session players on rock albums?!?!?! There is NO WAY he could have not heard of it being as deep he was in the producing world. If hes gonna lie about that (or not remember) then how can i believe anything in the book!?!?!?

[@BillMcGirr]

All he said was that was unheard of on the albums he produced. By the bands he produced. Why would he care about what other producers do? Unless they’re friends. Werman has more platinum records under his belt than most producers could dream of. Period. But he’s going to lie and sully his reputation? For what? Nikki Sixx WROTE THE F’ING SONGS. You don’t think he could play the bass lines to the songs HE WROTE?🤯 Are you high?🤷‍♂️

[@rocknroll6396]

agreed 💯

[@rocknroll6396]

​@BillMcGirr ....Ummm thats not what he said. He said he had never HEARD of that. Thats a crock of shit. Werman never heard of BOB EZRIN? Come on thats BS. Werman is full of it. Supposedly Nikki writes everything (ever heard of DJ Ashba) but the idea when he was in his "admitted" multiple rehab trips and broken shoulder that Doc McGhee wouldnt get a fill in especially in the studio for such basic mundane bass parts is also quite preposterous. DEF could have happened. Werman also didnt engineer shit and left it up to other people. He has admitted he wasnt in the studio all the time with the artists he produced. Some claim they hardly saw him.

[@markherring3513]

@@rocknroll6396 Yeah..i recall him saying that too. $hit was going down when he wasnt around for sure....and Tommy's friend he brought to the studio is flat out saying he spoke to Tom IN THE STUDIO asking wheres Nikki?!?!

[@markherring3513]

@@BillMcGirr I know Nikki was MAIN song writer and lyrics and yes he could play the bass BUT playing in the studio on an album is an entirely different beast...som musicians can wrote a song and can play live no problem but have trouble in recording studio...fear, nervousness, intimidation.etc..etc..for a number of reasons. Maybe Nikki is one of those guys. Its possible.

[@screamallyouwant]

Great interview. Very interesting. Thanks!

[@Rowen170]

Im sure Tom Werman is lying. He has reasons to lie. One being money, and two being to save face.

[@PlayerToBeNamedLater1973]

You want to believe it , so you assume he's lying. If you saw a video of him playing and recording the album, you'd convince yourself that it was an AI produced fake. You have no real idea if he played on it or not.

[@davidkanengieter]

I strongly think that Nikki did play bass for the album... And it stunk, so they had someone redo some things and fill in all the blanks without telling Nikki or his ego.

[@danmeek928]

Have you seen Nikki played live? I stopped going to see them when saw Nikki with his hands in the air and the baseline was playing. He wasn’t playing live so what makes you think he was playing on the album?

[@joe5516]

Listen to his bass solos live..Its straight eighth notes on one string..Sixx is a novice bass player at best.. Anyone who has seen him live and actually heard the bass in concert understands perfectly...He had every opportunity to become a great player. He just chose not to practice.. He was not in love with the bass/guitar he was in love with rock star life.. An interviewer was trying to pry this out of Mick, but he has too much class to walk in the mud..I absolutely love Motley and think Mick never got the credit he deserved but he definitely reaped all the financial rewards..

[@MykeLewisMusic]

Nikki is the Lars Ulrich of bass guitar.

[@motleydude73]

​@@MykeLewisMusicYea, both very good at their craft.

[@themadmattster9647]

nah, I think considering what Mick has brought to light as of late he would've admitted that Nikki didn't record those albums, especially since he admitted to the tapes being used live. Mick seems like he'd tell the truth if Nikki didn't record those albums

[@donnyramay2635]

It makes a lot of sense why the heavier thrash bands hated the hair metal Sunset strip scene. It was all about image. Heard the story of Warrant bringing in a studio musician to teach and record guitar solos on their debut album. This probably was common with pop rock and glam rock stars, with the exception of a few bands. If it wasn't for Mick Mars Motley Crue would have faded into obscurity in the 1980s.

[@chrisbr1969]

Not true for a lot of those bands who were amazing musicians and could outplay a lot of those thrash bands. Kip Winger said it best when he said Metallica hated him because his band could easily play Metallica songs but Metallica couldn’t play Winger. And it’s true.

[@donnyramay2635]

@chrisbranco1969 I stated with exceptions of a few bands. Winger was a talented band, and so was Dokken and Ratt. Van Halen was the king of that style. However it got oversaturated with all these other knock off bands from around 1986 to 1990.

[@chrisbr1969]

@@donnyramay2635 I agree on that.

[@chrisbrooks5501]

But..metallica DID start to sound like some artsy fartsy prog metal band ..the irony...when Dave left metallica..so did their Musical complexity..

[@DouglasSnodgrass]

Yeah. I have the utmost respect for Mick. All my guitar friends after dr. Feelgood were like wow! Have you heard micks guitar playing? On dr. Feelgood. It was very phenomenal and made them huge. I remember interviewer asking Mick about Nikki's writing on feelgood. He was like yeah he came in with a few chords that he had to actually structure into a song. Nikki is sooo high on himself. Fakest rock star ever!

[@cheatershandbook-tv2xs]

It wouldn't take hours for a pro to come in and learn a Motley Crue song. They did it all the time. I find it hard to believe Tom had never heard of it. Not that Nikki didn't play on it, but it definitely wouldn't have been unheard of to pull in a ringer.

[@ThundersMcCoy]

I don't know what he played or didn't play on what record, what I *DO* know is that there is a significant difference in the bass playing on Too Fast For Love than there is on any other Motley record.

[@harrykenyon9262]

Jesus Christ session players play on stuff all the time when something just doesn’t work.

[@loscrimefighter1899]

Tom Werman never tires of hearing himself talk.

[@fromalongtimeago]

It was talked about throughout the Sunset scene that Nikki couldn't play.

[@markn3936]

But he wrote all the music and lyrics for some kick ass Crue records. It was never about his bass playing chops

[@lobotomyscam1051]

​@@markn3936We're not talking about his song writing ability, though.

[@gavinvl06]

I mean he did his job as a bassist. Crue songs don’t need intricate bass lines like Rush. Most bassists in the 80s hair metal/rock scene had the easiest jobs playing root notes

[@bubbatha]

People sign NDA's all the time. The current Bon Jovi Bass player is a perfect example. He was asked in an interview if it was actually him that played on all the early Bon Jovi records (not just the initial single) and instead of answering yes or no he said "ask Jon about that". Way too many musicians have come forward to spill the beans on Motley Crue. Werman probably signed a NDA which is why he won't say anything.

[@eternity8811]

The current Bon Jovi bassist wasn't IN the band back then anyway. It was Alec Jon Such who quit maybe a decade or so ago. Although I believe the single you're referring to is "runaway" and apparently yes JBJ got a bunch of pros to play (and maybe even write) that song to get him through the record label doors. He just sang over the top of what all the session guys played and then when he had gotten label interest enlisted the guys who became the "members" of the band. I think they were all pretty much contract employees except for RS, who was given a bigger stake.

[@bubbatha]

@ty8811 No. What I said is true. Go look at the credits. Hugh may have only been credited on a few songs on each album before he was officially in the band, but he actually recorded all the Bass on the records. He was basically Bon Jovi's studio Bassist and Alec was the live Bassist.

[@eternity8811]

@@bubbatha wow. I didn't know that. I'm gonna trust your word and not bother looking it up, mostly because it's bon Jovi and therefore not really up my musical alley except for a couple of tunes off 7800° when I'm in the mood for 80s nostalgia. Maybe that situation with Hugh had something to do with AJS quitting. From what you're saying it sounds like he had no creative role in the band at all which was probably frustrating. Idk... But the machinations of bj behind the scenes when compared to the image projected by JBJ thru their videos, like some band of brothers are kind of cynically interesting, so thanks for the info.

[@Pauric84]

Yes! It's been rumoured for years Hugh was the studio bass player since the first Album!

[@bubbatha]

@@eternity8811 In the new documentary that was just released about Bon Jovi, Jon admits it was Hugh on the records.

[@lucasdavis3600]

I saw Motley last summer, super obvious (as a guitar player myself) Nikki was not playing bass.

[@darkstar92772]

Did you hear Vince Meal singing “Shout at the Deli?” 😂

[@paulthompson8642]

Thanks again

[@MikeBoardley]

I know Randy Jackson was called in to play bass on Stryper's cover of Shinning Star on Tom Weman produced Against The Law because they didn't feel like Tim Gaines playing was good enough.

[@kevinkaatz883]

I love this show, wish the interviews were longer

[@fu2201]

go to his website

[@brianmcquillan6664]

A producer says he "did not even know any session bass players." That is ridiculous, he most certainly met several by just being in a studio. It is possible he might not know "a session bass player" well, but he certainly knows a bass player to come in and ghost, just like he knows a guitarist, drummer, keyboardist, and vocalist to come in and ghost. At that time studios cost huge money, and a producer was there to get things done, get the tracks down for the record company. Furthermore, the matter is as simple as the NDA people signed with the record company. NDAs are rock solid in civil court, that is why nobody, not even people that run their mouth all the time, break them.

[@TheLordGoat]

He didn't want to start trouble. I don't think Nikki laid a note down.

[@adamphillips6747]

“Would have took hours to learn the songs…” uh, no. Any session guy would be able to nail any motley tune in less than a half hour.

[@stevee231]

Right!!! They are the best of the best players that are nameless to people that aren't like major music fans. They go in and play jazz charts and track them in a day....I think they can handle Motley Crue songs.

[@sivadcal]

Theatre of Pain as a whole is pretty terrible...If I were the producer I certainly wouldn't be reminding anyone of my involvement!

[@goodcruisin1]

That album was terrible after shout at the devil

[@likkidixx]

I can't believe how they messed up the production on that one, it's a disaster.

[@RandyFricke]

The live drummer for Cinderella, Fred Coury never played on any of the Cinderella albums. It was all a studio drummer. So I hear.

[@sagedrummer]

Cozy Powell played drums on the first Cinderella album

[@teeoh9192]

@@sagedrummer AND, the 2nd one.

[@DouglasSnodgrass]

That's a shame cause Fred was actually a good drummer

[@teeoh9192]

@@DouglasSnodgrass Maybe, he just couldn't play to a click? I saw them on the "Long Cold Winter" tour, & he seemed fine to MY ears.

[@DouglasSnodgrass]

@@teeoh9192 I think the click is overrated. Things start sounding mechanical and calculated. This is not classical orchestra music, sometimes a flaw gives it a bit more depth and feeling. A metronome is fine. But it's just ridiculous when you go into different time signatures and key changes. Rock music was never designed to be perfect but is a state of mind. Am not knocking bands that are meticulously perfect. But I feel most lose passion and emotion

[@Love-Fist]

Nikki Sixx is just a liar anyway

[@paulhabrelewicz7749]

I agree! Tommy lee is average or below average drummer! The only talent in that band was mick mars!!!!

[@river2352]

@@paulhabrelewicz7749nah, totally disagree, Tommy is a brilliant drummer. He’s lost it now but in his prime he was a beast

[@MrGrand2000]

Many people didn’t realize Def Leppard was using drum machines instead of a one armed drummer in the studio

[@MykeLewisMusic]

He played the cymbals on Pyromania with two arms, and Hysteria with one.

[@gavinvl06]

They also did this on pyromania. But it’s still impressive considering he had to learn to play it live with one arm

[@user-yx8bv1fs8y]

Nicky Suxx

[@mattdylan664]

totally , i mean he _only_ wrote 90% of all the Crue's best music ..but apart from that yeah he's never gonna be cool like you 🤡🤡🤡 Too Fast For Love All tracks written by Nikki Sixx, except where noted Side one 1. "Live Wire" 3:14 2. "Public Enemy #1" Sixx, Lizzie Grey 4:22 3. "Take Me to the Top" 3:43 4. "Merry-Go-Round" 3:22 5. "Piece of Your Action" Lyrics: Sixx, Vince Neil / Music: Sixx 4:39 Side two 6. "Starry Eyes" 4:28 7. "Stick to Your Guns" 4:20 8. "Come On and Dance" 3:11 9. "Too Fast for Love" 4:11 10. "On with the Show" Lyrics: Sixx, Neil / Music: Sixx 4:07 Shout At The Devil All lyrics and music written by Nikki Sixx, except where noted. Side one 1. "In the Beginning" Geoff Workman 1:13 2. "Shout at the Devil" 3:16 3. "Looks That Kill" 4:07 4. "Bastard" 2:54 5. "God Bless the Children of the Beast" (Instrumental) Mick Mars 1:33 6. "Helter Skelter" John Lennon, Paul McCartney Lennon-McCartney 3:09 Side two 1. "Red Hot" Sixx, Mars, Vince Neil 3:20 2. "Too Young to Fall in Love" 3:34 3. "Knock 'Em Dead, Kid" Neil, Sixx 3:43 4. "Ten Seconds to Love" Sixx, Neil 4:17 5. "Danger" Mars, Sixx, Neil 3:51 Theater Of Pain All lyrics are written by Nikki Sixx except where noted Side one 1. "City Boy Blues" Sixx, Mick Mars, Vince Neil 4:10 2. "Smokin' in the Boys Room" (Brownsville Station cover) Cub Koda, Lutz 3:27 3. "Louder Than Hell" Sixx 2:32 4. "Keep Your Eye on the Money" Sixx 4:40 5. "Home Sweet Home" Sixx, Tommy Lee 3:59 Side two 6. "Tonight (We Need a Lover)" Sixx, Neil 3:37 7. "Use It or Lose It" Sixx, Mars, Neil, Lee 2:39 8. "Save Our Souls" Sixx, Neil 4:13 9. "Raise Your Hands to Rock" Sixx 2:48 10. "Fight for Your Rights" Sixx, Mars 3:50 Girls Girls Girls All lyrics are written by Nikki Sixx except "Jailhouse Rock" by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller Side one 1. "Wild Side" Sixx, Tommy Lee 4:41 2. "Girls, Girls, Girls" Sixx, Lee, Mick Mars 4:30 3. "Dancing on Glass" Sixx, Mars 4:18 4. "Bad Boy Boogie" Sixx, Lee, Mars 3:27 5. "Nona" Sixx 1:27 Side two 6. "Five Years Dead" Sixx 3:50 7. "All in the Name Of..." Sixx, Vince Neil 3:39 8. "Sumthin' for Nuthin'" Sixx, Neil 4:49 9. "You're All I Need" Lee, Sixx 4:32 10. "Jailhouse Rock (live)" (Elvis Presley cover) Leiber, Stoller 4:39

[@user-yx8bv1fs8y]

@@mattdylan664 get a life

[@sgt.grinch3299]

WTF? Mick is the real musician of Mostly Crud!

[@glengoodwin]

Even I could play the bass on Theater of Pain. 😅 Tom Werman was obviously snorting as much gear as the rest of the band.

[@keithsa41]

Lol, motley crue music, especially bass is rudimentary playing. It's simple. Hearing what Bob rock stated about sixx and Bob making him play, I believe Bob rock

[@scoobemail66]

Nothing rudimentary about having good meter.

[@peterk.rosenthal1417]

Every person in the whole world has good enough meter to play the bass on Theatre of Pain.

[@scoobemail66]

@@peterk.rosenthal1417 you obviously dont know what youre talking about.

[@blueberrypie8691]

Nikki is a great song writer, Mick is a great music writer & musician, Tommy was a great drummer & Vince just plain worked for the band, they were great together until they kicked Vince out after their most successful tour to date, stupid move & they have never been the same. Still Love Motleys first 5 Albums.

[@davidrice3337]

Mick is the only one with a lick of sense

[@Kouign1718]

Werman never heard of Tim Pierce? He was the guitarist on Bon Jovi's debut single Runaway... He can keep his book, I'm not buying.

[@user-or4hs7xq9u]

Hi, I was interested in buying the book as I have a gift token but yes, you're spot on, not buying the book if the author can't be up front about session players

[@kevinmaillet4712]

I always heard it was Aldo Nova who played on Runaway. Is that not correct?

[@lukebrown3929]

I just looked that up Jon Bon Jovi recorded "Runaway" with studio musicians because he didn't have a band yet. On guitar was Tim Pierce, whose work can be heard on albums by Rod Stewart, Demi Lovato, Joe Cocker and many others. Roy Bittan of Bruce Springsteen's E Street band played keyboards and Frankie La Rocka on drums.

[@MoneyGrip70]

Steve Lukather & John Sykes are another great example this guys full of shi*

[@b.m.2434]

Since Bongiovi did not have a band at time of runaway, he had to use a studio guy. That’s different than bringing in hired guns.

[@ericbaylies9980]

Even joe perry of aerosmith had session guys replace him on early records

[@smandez2023]

haha, good! Perhaps one of THE sloppiest and overrated guitarists ever.

[@teeoh9192]

Brad Whitford also played/created a lot of the solos people thought Joe played on records.

[@PlayerToBeNamedLater1973]

​@@smandez2023sloppy guitar players who can write will ALWAYS go further than more precise and technique driven players who have no creativity.

[@tshkrel]

Whatever the case may be with Warrant and their first album in the studio, I saw them live on that tour in a very small club in Boston (The Channel) and the lead guitarist was fantastic. He even expanded on the solos from the album! The players were all great in fact

[@JJ-oe9wc]

The guitarist they brought in ended up giving the guy's in Warrant guitar lessons

[@ThundersMcCoy]

@@JJ-oe9wc That was Mike Slamer.

[@TranzparentMethods]

I CANNOT WAIT TO READ THIS BOOK!!!!

[@chriskiefer7493]

Yeahhhhhhhhh and the don't play to tracks during shows either. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤡

[@OperationEndGame]

It was well known that Frankie Serrafino wanted to live the rock lifestyle before he even picked up the bass…. He was pretty much the MGK of the 80’s Sunset Strip….

[@jpaul3080]

I don’t really believe the rumors but Nikki just comes of as a dbag... don’t think it be cool to have a beer with him

[@RolandDeschain1]

I enjoyed the book. I found the A&R stuff more interesting than the production anecdotes.

[@CrueLoaf]

Sixx just wrote the entire album!

[@CrueLoaf]

@ThePedophileExposingHunter no he just writes their songs. Try writing 9 albums?!

[@worldsheaviestjamband93]

Man this guy sounds like Saul Goodman. (Not in the sleezy way, he just has the same voice)

[@RS-ol8or]

No, in the sleazy way too. 😂

[@lailer1975]

Same tribe.

[@montanausa329]

Who cares, session musicians are used a lot more than you think

[@jameshutchinson568]

This sounds like a really good book. I haven't read many books about rock n' roll, but I'm going to have read this one.

[@Pauric84]

A Good book to read is Andy Taylor's

[@teeoh9192]

If you haven't read Motley Crue's "The Dirt", then you're really missing out! The gold standard of gonzo rock n roll debauchery!

[@jameshutchinson568]

@@teeoh9192 I've read it! Easily the best book about the music industry that I've read.

[@jackih9682]

@teeoh9192 and full of lies.

[@jameshutchinson568]

@@teeoh9192 I have read it. Definitely entertaining!

[@davidaustin6271]

Mike Slamer did 2 albums with Kansas singer/keyboardist Steve Walsh in a band called Streets. Their first in 1983 is an absolute hidden gem. Always an unsung favorite of mine, Paul Gilbert called it out as the same for him a couple of years ago. Start with "If Love Should Go" and take it from there. Slamer is a beautifully skilled player, and Steve Walsh is... Steve Walsh.

[@darkstar92772]

That sounds interesting. I’m going to check it out. Thanks for the tip.

[@motleyfan7558]

Werman was there. He is responsible for some of the greatest albums of all time. I need to get this book.

[@TheLordGoat]

Its old news and an industry standard to have session players, weird Tom is acting like he never heard of it. Kiss did it early on etc I think he knows Nikki didn't really play on the albums he's being nice and not starting trouble,

[@jeffmcpeek2526]

I've seen videos of Mick playing bass in 94.

[@timwhite5562]

This whole thing about Nikki not playing on albums is absurd. Have those who believe this actually listened to the bass on the albums? A person with a few months of playing could play it, why they hell would they need to get someone else to play it? If it sounded like they went from what you heard on Shout, and then it suddenly sounded like Billy Sheehan on Theater, then i could see it. But this?

[@rocknroll6396]

Your very logic goes against Wermans. He claims it would take any bass player "a few days" to learn a Motley Crue song to lay down bass. So who is right and who is wrong?

[@unclerog]

He has no business playing a bass!!!!!

[@timwhite5562]

@@rocknroll6396 I've been playing for 30+ years. It would not take days to play what Nikki plays, It's very basic. Sessions players don't need days to play anything. As long as it's transcribed, any sessions player worth their salt could sit down with the sheet music for a song they've never heard and play it right away. Even without the charts they would be able to play it after hearing the click track. There's a drumming channel that's whole thing is getting sessions drummers: they pick a song they've never heard and the drummer listens to the song with the drum track removed; chart it out on the spot, then lay down their own drum part on the fly. That's not exclusive to drummers, it's what sessions players do. But the third album, even if he had never played on the first two albums he would have picked up enough by osmosis to be able to play the bass parts.

[@Acemechanicalservices]

@@rocknroll6396 It would take someone that has never played bass a few days to learn those songs, if they had a bit of musical inclination. A studio level player could put something down that’s ten times better than what’s on the album in one take after looking at the key of the song and the song structure.

[@rocknroll6396]

@@Acemechanicalservices ... so you agree Werman is full of shit. He claims studio musicians could not have been used as they wouldnt know the song!! hahaha such a crock!!!

[@bubbatha]

Keep in mind that it wasn't until a few month's ago that we found out that Mick Mars didn't play on the last Motley record except for a couple of solos. Yet when the record came out Mick was credited with playing the guitar. He should have only been credited for playing a couple solos (and which ones they were) while DJ Ashba should have been credited with the guitar work. People sign NDA's all the time. Too many musicians have spilled the beans on what goes on in Motley Crue in both the studio and on the road.

[@evenspot637]

How can he said he never heard of people being replaced by studio musicians. Bob Ezrin did it all the time.

[@WayneBarroncffcs]

Yeah, I'm gonna say he just doesn't want to cause a stir with anyone since his book has come out.

[@earld158]

all the time? He did it once on one song on Kiss Destroyer

[@evenspot637]

​@@earld158 Alice Cooper that I know of as well as Kiss. Also producer of Aerosmith song Train kept a Rollin was Steve Hunter. It's a common thing.

[@mattpatterson9128]

Nikki's a Poser? Who Would've guessed, Oh yeah the Guys in London said he Couldn't play.🤣

[@wj74]

I’ve been suspicious for years about Warrant’s guitar tracks. Uncle Tom’s Cabin all the way thru and especially guitar solo is top notch stuff. The guitar player in the band would’ve been celebrated for his work but instead it was ignored by the press. Tall tell sign of studio player work. Goes unnoticed.

[@amarino6355]

Wait a second - Tom says that he's never heard of a rock band using session players?!?! YOU PREFACED THE QUESTIONS WITH 2 EXAMPLES !!! The bass parts in Crue songs are pretty basic. So there's a good chance that it's Nikki, but some of Tom's comments/answers sound like a load of crap.

[@brianphillips9152]

Why do we need Nikki to have been a good bass player? We don't. So many of these guys were showman first. A more capable musician would be in the studio. Happened more than we all know.

[@rocknroll6396]

I am calling BullSh*t on Werman! Like he has never heard of studio musicians?!? Kiss was using them in the 70s with multiple diff producers. And many other bands did to. Apparently Werman never heard of thd Beach Boys? Come on!! The way he overly scoffs at the notion reeks of BS. More and more I think MATTHEW TRIPPE was telling the truth. While Nikki was screwed up from car accident and rehab trips old Matt got the call to "fill in".

[@sw-mg3xy]

Carol Kaye played a lot of the beach boys music seems like she came up with Good Vibrations Bass line, also glen campbell if i'm not mistaken

[@rocknroll6396]

@@sw-mg3xy yup 100%

[@bsb1975]

I prefer it when bands play their own music, but I never expected Nikki to be a virtuoso bass guitarist. He's more like a guitar player they got to play bass. I think his talent was helping to write the guitar parts. It wasn't just Mick Mars. A business professor once told me that there are three key elements you are looking for in an employee. Talent, experience and fit. You can make up for shortcomings in the first two, but you'll never be successful if you don't mesh with the team. Nikki may be short on the first two, but he was able to bond with the other band members. That's why Nikki was in the band.

[@rocknroll6396]

@@bsb1975 ...I personally think Nikki did and does have talent, a knack for riffs, vision for his band/brand etc etc. So I dont find it out of the ballpark that behind the scenes once the Motley machine was on tour and making $$$ that if Nikki was unable temporarily to fullfill his duties either in studio or live that McGhee would hatch a plan to keep the business going. Kiss did it. Others have. Its just funny how Werman exposes himself with his own response.

[@andyhayes7828]

NOTHING that was played by a studio guy in the '70's was significant to Kiss's LEGACY. I think there was a ONE or 2 guitar solo on DESTROYER that wasn't played by Ace ( 'Sweet Pain' ?) . INSIGNIFICANT in the scheme of things. On side 4 (studio side) of ALIVE2 the agreement was that each member bring at least 1 song. Ace brought the BEST song ( ROCKET RIDE) and none of the other guys played on that track. Ace did his part, so the other guy's did too, by bringing in other guy's to help them track thier songs. Bob Kulick played real well on a couple of those songs ( 'Larger than Life' and 'All American Man'). Paul actually started soloing as much as Ace by 'Unmasked'.

[@polishmasterjay]

Wow, no one knows how NDA’s work apparently…🤓👍😒🤨

[@OperationEndGame]

Was there any NDA signed by the parties back then?

[@RS-ol8or]

@@OperationEndGamethey’ve always been in use

[@canadiandrummer]

Lots of guys in bands were replaced in the studio. Just ask Fred Coury of Cinderella, or Gene Simmons. Nikki Sixx has hardly improved since the day he stole his first guitar. Tom Werman’s book sounds like a work of fiction.

[@ceetruth7419]

This is common in the music industry! Now everyone knows the Matthew trippe story is true! I say kick mars comes out and tells the story!

[@danalarose846]

Nikki had a broken shoulder during this time.

[@Mad_Axe_Man125]

that was shout at the devil

[@richietaylor453]

I played drums 🥁 for poison on many song's i got paid which tracks i don't know, but 5 thousand dollars i was happy, it happens all the time especially im left handed played for metal church also 3500 hundred dollars watch the children pray and megadeth wake up dead i was a hired gun paid the bills, now playing for Taylor swift 200 hundred thousand dollars did 3 songs 🎵 so I'm good 😂

[@CallforthePriest]

Hilarious to see these clowns still in denial about Sixx not playing...

[@carloslozada470]

Sixx LIES about everything

[@phyllisgoodson9865]

Nikki doesn't lie about a thing. True he did a lot of bad things screwed up his life with Heroin, but he still the most gorgeous man and he is a good bass player now and he's a good singer. I love Nikki Sixx and I don't care if he really played or not. He plays now Angie's really good I think all of you guys talking bad about Nikki should just shut up and find something else to screw up

[@jackih9682]

@phyllisgoodson9865 Just because he’s good looking and you have a school girl crush on him doesn’t mean he’s not a liar. Many people who know him personally say he’s a liar and a fraud.

[@phyllisgoodson9865]

Number one I know Nikki didn't play bass in the beginning. But I do know that he took lessons and he does now very good. And by the way I don't have a schoolgirl crush on Nikki Sixx. He still is and always was a good-looking guy. And a good singer. And just because I think he's a good-looking guy and I appreciate all the above doesn't mean I have a schoolgirl crush. You should be ashamed of yourself. You of course don't have a crush on him but you obviously have a couple of screws loose. And don't know as much about the c r u e. Why do you listen to all that crap that's out there and is put on KZbin and anybody else is dumb enough to listen to it? And as for the rest of these stupid comments he is not a liar and his books were very good and very helpful. Why don't you find something else to do with your spare time

[@phyllisgoodson9865]

I think I already answered this but I'll do it again. I do not have a schoolgirl crush on Nikki Sixx I respect him for who he is and what he's done. I went through some of the problems he did and I found his book yes the heroin Diaries very very helpful. I'm sorry you're so short minded and listen to all the crap that's been put out there get a life and leave Motley Crue alone

[@frankrichards3089]

Hours to learn a gd Crue song??? Lmfao. For who? A 3 yr old??

[@MoneyGrip70]

This guys full of poo poo. I said the same thing. Hours for a garage band?

[@rickfortine7454]

Some of these high dollar producers and engineers may be under a non disclosure contract in some cases !

[@AceGibson1959]

Session players back then also kept quiet. Nobody wasn't under an NDA, but it was kind of an unwritten code that you didn't tell anyone. If you did, you wouldn't get anymore work. You just went in, did the session, got paid and went on to the next gig.

[@rickfortine7454]

Absolutely, right on point !!! @@AceGibson1959

[@jimmycampbell78]

Of course. You are correct.

[@fu2201]

hmmm this was quite common then. I heard they used a studio musician with Cinderella recordings too. Maybe Tom is trying to protect the integrity of his albums by trying to make it seem like HE got those great performances out of the artists.

[@teeoh9192]

It's now a known fact that Cozy Powell played the drums on the 1st two Cinderella albums.

[@johnmcmahonBXLA]

“It would’ve taken a bass player hours to learn one Motley song” What a BS artist

[@furyiiiplate]

In the 60's it was very common. Brian Wilson didn't even let his own brothers play on Beach Boys studio songs. Monkees had hit songs and they couldn't even play a tambourine.

[@PlayerToBeNamedLater1973]

Peter Tork and Nesmith were both guitarists with chops as good as a lot of artists of that era. Just because they didn't play on those early records doesn't mean they were unable. They played live shows in front of huge crowds. Do you think they were miming? Dolenz also played drums at all those concerts. At least do some research before you comment

[@UncleDickeysRandomLife]

Nikki paid this guy off

[@shaunclifton5281]

Nikki couldn't even come up with his own fake Rockstar name. He had to steal it from another singer.

[@Odyss-d2p]

Everything they did was ripped off what do you expect. The name came from the comics the symbol from rush the make up from kiss it was all just one big scam.

[@gavinvl06]

@@Odyss-d2pPentagram was around long before Rush, they didn’t make it. And the difference between Motley and Kiss is that motley actually makes good music.

[@DjBobbySteels]

Nikki stole from Blackie

[@shaunclifton5281]

@@DjBobbySteels Definitely

[@internetmoney221]

Lippi Synxx

[@RolandDeschain1]

After the Godsmack beef I dubbed him Sukki Dixx.

[@michaelwills1926]

The wrecking crew played on many records, and werman knows it

[@dave4632]

If Werman gave his word at the time, nda or not, gotta respect his loyalty and honor. I think he’s lying, but it’s either lie or go back on your word.

[@EerieVonIII8574]

Hey nikki vanilli, when is the next "farewell scam" tour??

[@LordVulcan93]

Right after he plugs in his bass and learns how to play the open E.