Mötley Crüe (IPA pronunciation: /'mɒtli kru/) is an American glam metal/heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1981.

The band was founded by bass guitarist Nikki Sixx (who was, at the time, in a band called London) and drummer Tommy Lee, who were later joined by lead guitarist Mick Mars (whom Sixx first met at a liquor store, before they met again through a classified ad) and singer Vince Neil. Mötley Crüe has sold over 72 million album copies worldwide, including 25 million copies in the US alone. The band has often been noted for their hard-living lifestyles; all members have had numerous brushes with the law, spent time in jail, suffered long addictions to alcohol and drugs, had countless escapades with women, and are heavily tattooed. Their ninth studio album entitled Saints of Los Angeles is due to be released on June 17, 2008, while a film adaptation of their best-selling band autobiography The Dirt, is due to be released sometime in 2009.