How a heavy metal breakthrough was nearly derailed by a crane
In short: In 1984, Mötley Crüe’s reputation for chaos was so extreme that festival promoters resorted to a bizarre solution: using a massive crane to lift the band's trailer into the air, physically preventing them from escaping their performance.
Released on September 23, 1983, Mötley Crüe's second album, Shout at the Devil, was a commercial juggernaut. The record sold 200,000 copies in just its first two weeks and eventually reached 4x Platinum status by May 1997. While the album established the band as a heavy metal powerhouse, the era was defined by intense controversy and erratic behavior that nearly cost them their place on major festival bills.
The band's antics during the 1984 Monsters of Rock festival—which featured headliners AC/DC and Van Halen—led to a standoff with promoters. Following incidents where drummer Tommy Lee bit Malcolm Young and vocalist Vince Neil bit guitarist Eddie Van Halen, as well as a hotel expulsion involving a fight with David Lee Roth, the band was essentially placed under 'house arrest.' To ensure the band stayed put and didn't cause further trouble before their set, promoters used a crane to hoist their trailer several meters off the ground.
The album's imagery also sparked cultural friction. Bassist Nikki Sixx utilized pentagram symbols borrowed from his previous theatrical band, Sister. This led to scrutiny from Christian groups, a sentiment echoed by an ABC news piece regarding Satanism. Even the track 'Bastard' faced scrutiny from Tipper Gore and the PMCRC. Despite the backlash, the album's impact was undeniable; it is credited with setting the standard for the L.A. glam metal scene and significantly expanding the heavy metal audience to include female fans.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Shout at the Devil
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