By Thomas S. Orwat Jr
Erie, PA- A sold out, ready to rock crowd witnessed the return of Mötley Crüe to the Civic Center in Erie, PA. And It if you were between 30-55, this was most certainly to place to be. And as always The Crue did not disappoint. With a show filled with tons of pyro, lights and special effects the Crue had the audience standing with fist pumping during their entire 90 minute hit filled set.
The band started the show with “Kick Start My Heart,” which has been their lead off song for a while now. Vocalist Vince Neil was all over the stage bouncing around running from one side to another. He has really become the focal point of the band’s live performance and is by far the most energetic of the band.
A bit of a surprise during the early part of the show was a Mick Mars guitar solo. Mars did a great job of playing Hendrix riffs. He played a good portion of “Little Wing” during his time in the solo spotlight. Drummer Tommy Lee was his usual self. No drum solo or tit-e-cam, but he did take center stage and announced how horny he was and then passed a bottle of Jägermeister to a Nikki Sixx (circa 1985) look alike in the front row center.
A few songs later bassist Nikki Sixx brought up a young, about 9 year old, girl who was watching the show from his side of the stage. Sixx carried the child up to the mic and asked her who her favorite group was, “Motley Crue!!!” -she replied to a big ovation. Sixx then put her down and had security return her back to the floor. Sixx then announced “Being a Motley Crue fan is fuckin’ from birth to the grave.” The crowded agreed and that young fan will have a colorful new vocabulary to bring back to school. Way to go Sixx!!!
Things got even more exciting mid way during the performance when Erie, PA mayor Joseph Sinnott walked on stage and declared it Motley Crue day in Erie PA. Sinnott said that he is a big Motley Crue fan and his first concert was Motley Crue back in 2006 at the same Erie Civic Center. He thanked the band for including Erie, PA in their tour itinerary. The sold out crowd roared in approval at the on-stage announcement. The members of Motley Crue were all smiles and vocalist Vince Neil mentioned the fact that it was Motley Crue day several times during the remainder of the band’s performance.
Overall, it was a great show. Yes, Motley is getting a bit older, Nikki is more laid back on stage and Mick, well let’s just be happy that Mick can stand up. And just maybe the band uses a few canned backing vocals to help out a bit, but what fuck, they still put on one of the best shows in rock. So get your ass off the couch, stop worrying about your 401K plan and get to the show. Because in 2009, Crue still Rules!!!
Setlist
Kickstart My Heart
Wild Side
Shout at the Devil
Mick Mars (guitar solo)
Saints of Los Angeles
Live Wire
Too Fast for Love
On With the Show
Jailhouse Rock
MF of the Year
White Trash Circus
Don’t Go Away Mad
Same ol’ Situation
Primal Scream
Looks That Kill
Girls Girls Girls
Dr. Feelgood
ENCORE:
Home Sweet
Thomas S. Orwat Jr.
RockMusicStar.com 
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