Pain and Tommy: The Stadium Tour kicks off amid drama

TWICE-postponed The Stadium Tour is a big deal in the world of eighties hard rock and heavy metal.

For a start, it marks Motley Crue breaking their promise – allegedly a declaration signed in blood – never to tour again after the so-called ‘Final Tour’ in 2015.

Poison return to gigantours despite not having released an album since Seven Days Live in 2008 and – contrastingly – Def Leppard are touring a record that’s been out a week, Diamond Star Halos.

Opening things up on a tour that started in Atlanta are Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.

When it comes to things like keeping promises, using backing tapes and getting on well enough to share a dressing room, it’s a … motley crew.

Sure enough, the drama came on night one.

Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee could only play five songs in Atlanta after having apparently cracked four ribs during rehearsals.

(Back in 2014 Mick Mars told us The Crue often didn’t bother rehearsing before a tour at all – so this is a step forward in terms of commitment).

After those five songs, he was replaced by Black Sabbath skinsman Tommy Clufetos.

The same thing happened (but Lee lasted three songs) at the following show in Miami and then in Orlando although Lee returned to play piano on “Home Sweet Home”.

The iconic drummer, subject of the recent mini-series Pam and Tommy, told the audience he had no intention of revealing exactly how he had broken the ribs.

“This is the last time I’m gonna say this shit, ’cause that’s getting’ fuckin’ old,” he said.

“About fuckin’ two weeks ago, I broke not one, not two, not three but four fuckin’ ribs right here. Crack. I’m not gonna tell you how because it’s fuckin’ bullshit. I wish I had a cool story for you, but I definitely don’t, man; it ain’t fuckin’ cool… Anyway, my buddy Tommy back here — Tommy’s gonna fuckin’ help me out here.

“I don’t know if anybody here — I’m sure somebody had to break some ribs. It is fucked up. It hurts to breathe; it hurts to fuck; it hurts to play drums; it hurts to do fucking anything.

“Anyway, Tommy, you fucking get it, buddy.

“I’ll see you guys in a minute. I’ll be back. On with the motherfuckin’ show. Let’s go.”

The Stadium Tour continues on June 22 in Washington DC at Nationals Park.