Motley Crue triumphs in Sold-Out Hollywood Bowl homecoming show.

Nikki Sixx & Mick Mars of Motley Crue – Live @ Hollywood Bowl

The following was written by rock critic Gerry Gittelson on his personal Facebook June 16th. The post was in response to his article (found below) on the Motley Crue/Poison homecoming concert at the Hollywood Bowl earlier this week.

“Being a rock critic is not all it’s cracked up to be: For 25 years I’ve supported the band Poison more passionately than just about any journalist in the world, and I never received a single thank you.

Then, I wrote Wednesday in the Los AngelesDAILY NEWS that Motley Crue outperformed them in concert — and drummer Rikki Rockett sent me a message telling me to fuck off.” Gerry Gittelson – Facebook

Concert review: Motley Crue triumphs in sold-out homecoming at Hollywood Bowl

By Gerry Gittelson

Motley Crue never gets enough credit in the grand scheme, but the band’s place in rock history was secured Tuesday with a mesmerizing homecoming concert at the Hollywood Bowl in a 30th anniversary celebration before a sold-out crowd of 18,000 screaming spectators.

The Doors. Van Halen. Guns N’ Roses. Motley Crue. There aren’t many others from Los Angeles who’ve had such an exceptional impact, and even though new rock is dead on popular radio stations and MTV, Motley Crue can keep on playing the old stuff for a long time because massive crowds eat up every moment.

The one slight against Motley Crue through the years — besides their wild lifestyles — has been their inconsistency as a live act. Sometimes Vince Neil sings great, other

times he skips a lot of words and comes within in an inch or so of making a fool of himself. But at the Hollywood Bowl, the band was really on, opening with a torrid version of “Wild Side” that instantly proved the group was taking things seriously on this go.

Looking fit and trim, Neil owned the massive stage, singing loud and clear and enjoying the moment, as smoke billowed, pyrotechnic flashes exploded, a light show dazzled, and of course a couple of hot, half-dressed female backup singers shook their stuff.

This time, “Home Sweet Home,” the 1985 power ballad that is arguably the biggest song in MTV history, came early, only about 25 minutes into the set. It gave drummer Tommy Lee a chance to say a big hello before sitting down at the keys for the song’s unmistakable piano intro — and a ready and willing Neil really nailed this one.

The architect of the band, bassist Nikki Sixx, could do wrong, as usual, and guitarist Mick Mars, who has spine issues, hung tough and did not miss a note.

Cee Lo Green even came out to help on “Don’t Go Away Mad,” and then it was time for Lee’s drum solo that included a high-tech drum kit fastened to a huge circular track so he could ride in circles.

The hits kept coming — “Looks That Kill,” “Dr. Feelgood,” “Too Young to Fall in Love,” “Girls, Girls, Girls,” “Smokin’ in the Boys Room” and “Kickstart My Heart.”

CC DeVille & Bobby Dall of Poison @ Hollywood Bowl.

One thing for sure: Motley Crue really kicked ass over opener Poison, a popular Los Angeles hard-rock band in its own right that has often headlined arenas through the years.

Of course, much of Poison’s long-lasting success can be attributed to singer Bret Michaels’ reality TV show “Rock of Love.”

Michaels’ voice sounded tour-strained, and in a lot of ways Poison is just as they were in the beginning — a bit rough around the edges and perhaps even un-rehearsed if not downright sloppy. Guitarist C.C. DeVille is probably the one guy in the band with real talent, but Michaels has proved it’s sometimes OK for a rock band to have more teeth in their smiles than in their songs.

This was probably the last Poison show you’ll ever see in the Los Angeles. There is talk of infighting between the members, and it would be no surprise if Michaels forges ahead as a solo performer only.

Gerry Gittleson can be contacted at Gspot@MetalSludge .Tv