When it comes to rock ‘n’ roll longevity, the Rolling Stones and Aerosmith have set the bar pretty high, both in storied histories and keeping their respective bands together for decade after decade, but Motley Crue hopes to give them a run for their money.

Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee wants his band to follow in the footsteps of those great rock acts. Although the Crue have been through their share of shake-ups, break-ups, and turmoil throughout their tenure, as detailed in their 2001 autobiography ‘The Dirt’, the band recently announced a Las Vegas residency and seem to be getting along better than ever.

One might wonder, after all that Motley Crue has been through as a band, how are they able to find that balance and come back stronger than ever 30 years into their career? Ultimate Classic Rock went straight to the source to ask Lee just that, and he put it all in perspective, saying, “I think as everybody gets a little older, people get a little wiser and cooler and realize that we’re really fortunate to still be doing this. We don’t have any of our peers that are still doing it, that we grew up with, all those bands are gone.”

He reflected on the band’s fortunate position, saying, “I guess you start to realize that we’re really lucky, we’re talented, we’re still healthy – there’s no reason we can’t keep doing this as long as some as our heroes like the Stones and Aerosmith, those guys are still rocking.”

At the end of the day, Lee said it best about his band of tattooed misfits making music and not taking their future for granted, “A lot of things have changed over the years, so we get it, it’s the four us, we’re still here doing this s—t, it’s crazy actually.”

Motley Crue’s Las Vegas residency runs Feb. 3-19, 2012 at the Joint at Hard Rock Casino in Las Vegas. For more on the Vegas run, as well as the latest on the next Crue album, visit Loudwire for a full Q&A with Tommy Lee.

Motley Crue 'The Dirt' Anniversary Edition Book Giveaway

Enter your e-mail address for a chance to win Motley Crue's 'The Dirt' Anniversary Edition book courtesy of It Books, Loudwire.com and Ultimate Classic Rock.

Contest ends December 15, 2011. Click here for official rules.



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