Digest

Tommy Lee, the drummer for Motley Crew, takes listeners on a wild ride through his life and career in this podcast episode. He discusses his love for bonsai, revealing his collection of 43 trees and how it helps him relax. He opens up about his struggles with addiction, including his experiences with cocaine and LSD, and his journey to sobriety. Tommy Lee also shares his memories of touring with Motley Crew, including his experiences with other bands like Stone Temple Pilots and festivals where they all came together. He reflects on the challenges of maintaining success as a band, balancing individual and group needs, and navigating the complexities of fame. The podcast delves into Tommy Lee's personal life, including his marriages and relationships, his experiences as a father, and his encounters with iconic figures like Michael Landon and Michael Jackson. He recounts humorous and embarrassing stories about his first kiss, his first sexual experience, and his first attempt at receiving a BJ. He also shares a wild and disgusting story about Aussie, involving snorting ants and licking up piss. Tommy Lee reflects on the evolution of music, comparing the "industrial era" of music making to the current era of programmed sounds. He expresses his longing for the mystery surrounding musicians in the past and reminisces about the golden age of rock and roll, highlighting the excitement and intensity of the era. He concludes the podcast by expressing his desire to continue making music and sharing stories, emphasizing the importance of staying connected to his roots and preserving the memories of the past.

Outlines

00:00:00

Tommy Lee's Life and Career: From Bonsai to Rock and Roll

Tommy Lee, drummer for Motley Crew, shares stories about his life, career, and personal experiences, including his love for bonsai, struggles with addiction, and reflections on the golden age of rock and roll.

00:00:34

Tommy Lee's Passion for Bonsai

Tommy Lee discusses his love for bonsai and how it helps him relax. He shares his experience with bonsai, including his collection of 43 trees.

00:01:16

Tommy Lee's Hearing Loss and Dreams

Tommy Lee reveals his hearing loss in one ear and discusses his unusual recurring dreams. He reflects on his life and expresses gratitude for his experiences.

00:01:32

Tommy Lee's Perspective on Success and Challenges

Tommy Lee talks about the challenges of maintaining success as a band, balancing individual and group needs, and navigating the complexities of fame.

00:01:51

Tommy Lee's Memories of Other Bands and Festivals

Tommy Lee shares his memories of other bands like Stone Temple Pilots and festivals where they all came together. He discusses the unique dynamics of touring and the importance of festivals for connecting with other musicians.

00:19:43

Tommy Lee's Struggles with Addiction and Sobriety

Tommy Lee opens up about his past struggles with drug addiction, including his experiences with cocaine and hiding it from himself. He shares his journey to sobriety and the importance of having a support system.

00:24:07

Tommy Lee's First Experiences with Drugs

Tommy Lee discusses his first experience with cocaine and LSD, sharing vivid memories and reflections on the impact of these drugs on his life.

00:29:48

Tommy Lee's Early Life and Experiences

Tommy Lee recounts his first LSD experience at age 13, including his reaction to a classic Pherophosite poster. He discusses the impact of fame on his life and his experiences with women.

00:32:59

Tommy Lee's First Kiss and Early Relationships

Tommy Lee shares a unique and romantic story about his first kiss, involving a red berry. He discusses his early relationships and his love for music and drumming.

00:36:04

Tommy Lee's Early Encounters with Women

Tommy Lee talks about his first time seeing a girl and the impact it had on him. He shares stories about his early encounters with women and his experiences with his babysitter.

00:38:40

Tommy Lee's First Kiss and Early Experiences with Women

Tommy Lee recounts his first kiss, which involved being locked in a room with a girl. He discusses his early experiences with women and the challenges of navigating relationships in his fast-paced life.

00:40:14

Tommy Lee's Marriages and Relationships

Tommy Lee discusses his marriages and relationships, including the challenges of long-distance love and the importance of finding a balance in life.

00:41:43

Tommy Lee's Relationship with His Parents and Fame

Tommy Lee talks about his supportive parents and the complexities of fame, including the feeling of not belonging to anyone.

00:43:34

Tommy Lee's Artistic Pursuits and Societal Expectations

Tommy Lee shares his experience with tap dancing and ballet, including his decision to quit due to peer pressure. He reflects on the impact of societal expectations on artistic pursuits.

00:46:19

Tommy Lee's Audition and Early Sexual Experiences

Tommy Lee recounts an audition where he sang a Shirley Temple song, highlighting the absurdity of the situation. He discusses his attraction to women and his first sexual experience.

00:47:53

Tommy Lee's First Sexual Experience

Tommy Lee shares a humorous and embarrassing story about his first sexual experience, involving his next-door neighbor and his sister's intervention.

00:51:02

Tommy Lee's Hilarious and Awkward Encounters

Tommy Lee recounts a hilarious and awkward story about his first attempt at receiving a BJ, involving a girl's mom and a narrow tree.

00:54:38

Tommy Lee's First Time Having Sex and Societal Expectations

Tommy Lee shares the story of his first time having sex and the bowling alley where it happened. He discusses the impact of societal expectations and the challenges of navigating relationships.

00:58:25

Tommy Lee's Experience as a Male Escort

Tommy Lee reveals his experience as a male escort in Los Angeles, discussing the dynamics of the situation and his feelings about it.

01:02:29

Tommy Lee's Drug Use and Sex

Tommy Lee discusses the challenges of having sex while on drugs, sharing his preference for solo experiences and his aversion to lying to others while under the influence.

01:04:50

Tommy Lee's Addiction and Rehab

Tommy Lee talks about the impact of addiction on his band and his decision to go to rehab with his bandmates. He shares his experience at Cottonwood rehab in Tucson, Arizona.

01:09:34

Tommy Lee's Touring and Performance

Tommy Lee discusses the challenges of performing while under the influence and the importance of maintaining a high level of energy for drumming. He reflects on the intensity of their performances and the importance of staying sober.

01:11:22

Tommy Lee's Thoughts on "The Dirt" Movie

Tommy Lee shares his thoughts on the "The Dirt" movie, praising the actor who played him and the authenticity of the film. He discusses the challenges of condensing a complex story into a short timeframe.

01:13:41

Tommy Lee's Memories and "The Dirt" Book

Tommy Lee discusses the challenges of remembering details from his past and the importance of having others to help him recall events. He reflects on the process of writing the "The Dirt" book and the value of shared memories.

01:15:39

Tommy Lee's Touring Life and Dreams

Tommy Lee talks about the repetitive nature of touring and his desire to experience the world differently. He shares his dream of traveling in a camper with his wife and seeing places he's already visited.

01:17:14

Tommy Lee's Perspective on Being Busy and Missing Himself

Tommy Lee discusses the challenges of being so busy that he misses being himself. He reflects on the importance of self-awareness and the unique experiences that come with fame.

01:18:02

Tommy Lee's Decision to Start a Family

Tommy Lee talks about his decision to start a family and his love for his two sons. He discusses the importance of having a support system and the joy of sharing his passion for music with his children.

01:20:22

Tommy Lee's Experience as a Father

Tommy Lee expresses his love for being a father and the joy of sharing music with his sons. He discusses the unique bond he has with his children and the importance of family.

01:22:38

Tommy Lee's Story of Aussie's Piss Incident

Tommy Lee recounts a wild and disgusting story about Aussie, involving snorting ants and licking up piss. He shares details about the incident and the aftermath, highlighting the absurdity of their rockstar lifestyle.

01:26:50

Tommy Lee's Perspective on Love and Best Friends

Tommy Lee discusses his perspective on love and the importance of having a best friend. He reflects on the challenges of navigating relationships and the importance of finding a balance between friendship and romance.

01:28:54

Tommy Lee's Current Marriage and Relationships

Tommy Lee talks about his current marriage to comedian Brittany Furlin and the importance of having a best friend in a relationship. He discusses the challenges of maintaining relationships in a busy lifestyle.

01:32:52

Tommy Lee's Encounters with Iconic Figures

Tommy Lee shares his encounters with Michael Landon and Michael Jackson, discussing his memories of these iconic figures and the impact of fame on his life.

01:34:01

Tommy Lee's Geographic Challenges and Conclusion

Tommy Lee discusses his struggles with geography and his tendency to get lost. He concludes the podcast with a reflection on the importance of self-awareness and the unique experiences that come with fame.

01:34:36

The Challenges of Being a Rock Star

Tommy Lee discusses the unique challenges of being a rock star, including the lack of personal responsibility and the constant pressure to be "on." He shares anecdotes about his own experiences, such as learning basic life skills like sending a FedEx package later in life.

01:36:47

Tommy Lee's Travel Habits and Home Life

Tommy Lee talks about his wife's fear of traveling and how they've decided to build a dream home that will eliminate the need for vacations. He also mentions his love for dogs and shares a funny story about his wife's tiny chihuahua.

01:40:02

A Wild Night in Vietnam

Tommy Lee recounts a bizarre experience in Vietnam where he and his friends were taken to a pet shop that doubled as a brothel. He describes the chaotic scene and his nervousness as one of his friends received a blowjob in the same room with animals.

01:42:23

Tommy Lee's First Pet: A Monkey

Tommy Lee shares a story about his first pet, a monkey his father brought back from Thailand. He describes how the monkey lived in a cage and would roam the house in diapers. He also reveals the tragic story of the monkey's death due to a power outage and freezing temperatures.

01:44:14

Encounters with Famous Musicians

Tommy Lee talks about his encounters with famous musicians, including Perry Farrell and Marilyn Manson. He shares a story about attending a one-year-old's birthday party at Perry Farrell's house and how he relapsed. He also discusses his friendship with Marilyn Manson and how he introduced him to absinthe.

01:47:38

The Evolution of Music

Tommy Lee reflects on the evolution of music, comparing the "industrial era" of music making to the current era of programmed sounds. He acknowledges the differences but expresses his appreciation for all styles of music, regardless of how they are created.

01:49:20

The Loss of Mystery in Music

Tommy Lee expresses his longing for the mystery surrounding musicians in the past. He misses the days when artists were less accessible and their lives were shrouded in intrigue. He believes that the lack of mystery diminishes the art itself.

01:51:21

The Golden Age of Rock and Roll

Tommy Lee reminisces about the golden age of rock and roll, highlighting the excitement and intensity of the era. He describes the rituals of waiting in line for concert tickets, the wild energy of shows, and the sense of community among fans.

01:57:11

The Irreplaceable Moments of the Past

Tommy Lee reflects on the irreplaceable moments of the past, particularly the freedom and spontaneity of the rock and roll era. He acknowledges that the digital age has changed the way we experience music and that the moments of the past can never be replicated.

01:59:07

Looking Forward

Tommy Lee concludes the interview by expressing his desire to continue making music and sharing stories. He emphasizes the importance of staying connected to his roots and preserving the memories of the past.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is Tommy Lee's favorite way to relax?

  Tommy Lee finds relaxation in the art of bonsai, which he describes as a fulfilling and grounding experience. He has a collection of 43 bonsai trees and enjoys spending time caring for them.

• What are some of the challenges Tommy Lee has faced in his career?

  Tommy Lee discusses the challenges of maintaining success as a band, balancing individual and group needs, and navigating the complexities of fame. He also shares his struggles with addiction and the importance of having a support system.

• What is Tommy Lee's most memorable experience with LSD?

  Tommy Lee recounts his first LSD experience at age 13, which included an intense reaction to a classic Pherophosite poster. He describes the experience as wild and memorable.

• How has Tommy Lee's life changed since becoming a father?

  Tommy Lee expresses his love for being a father and the joy of sharing music with his sons. He describes the unique bond he has with his children and the importance of family.

• What is Tommy Lee's most memorable experience with cocaine?

  Tommy Lee shares a story about his first experience with cocaine, involving a friend who biked to work in the desert while high. He describes the experience as intense and memorable.

• What is Tommy Lee's perspective on love and relationships?

  Tommy Lee discusses the importance of having a best friend in a relationship and the challenges of navigating relationships in a busy lifestyle. He reflects on the importance of finding a balance between friendship and romance.

• What is Tommy Lee's most memorable experience with Aussie?

  Tommy Lee recounts a wild and disgusting story about Aussie, involving snorting ants and licking up piss. He shares details about the incident and the aftermath, highlighting the absurdity of their rockstar lifestyle.

• What are some of the challenges Tommy Lee faces as a rock star?

  Tommy Lee discusses the lack of personal responsibility and the constant pressure to be "on" as a rock star. He shares anecdotes about learning basic life skills later in life due to being surrounded by people who handle everything for him.

• What is Tommy Lee's wife's biggest fear?

  Tommy Lee's wife is terrified of traveling and refuses to go anywhere that doesn't have a hospital within a couple of hours. This has led to them canceling many trips and focusing on building a dream home that will eliminate the need for vacations.

Show Notes