With a gritty reputation that was arguably equaled only by Guns N Roses, M?tley Crües infamous antics made them a force to be reckoned with in the 80s. As one of the first and most influential hair metal bands of the 80s, M?tley Crüe had a series of hit albums, the biggest and most noteworthy being 1989s Dr. Feelgood. The band continued to court controversy into the next decade, even when their recording career took a downturn through a series of well-publicized mishaps and run-ins with the law. M?tley Crües beginning can be traced back to 1981, when bassist Nikki Sixx (born Frank Ferrana) and drummer Tommy Lee Bass decided to leave the bands they were in at the time and pursue a new project together. Bob Mick Mars Deal was hired to play guitar and Vince Neil Wharton was added as vocalist. The band went through several name changes before Mars presented them with Mottley Krue, recalling a time when his previous band was described as a motley looking crew. After agreeing on this name and altering the spelling somewhat, the newly formed group began to play at local clubs and soon became cult favorites, known for their unique stage theatrics.