Joe Rogan Experience #2520 - Tommy Lee

Tommy Lee joins Joe Rogan to discuss his remarkable 46-year journey with Mötley Crüe since the band's formation in 1980 when he was just 17 years old. Lee reflects on his career trajectory, noting he still feels like he's pinching himself daily about the surreal experience of becoming famous at such a young age during the pre-internet era. He discusses his son's upcoming wedding, expressing pride that his son took a different path than the chaotic rock and roll lifestyle Tommy experienced, having been in a committed relationship for seven years.

A significant portion of the conversation focuses on Tommy's deep passion for bonsai cultivation, which he discovered eight years ago after visiting Japanese gardens. He describes the meditative, zen-like qualities of the practice and how it grounds him in the present moment. He explains the Japanese design philosophy of intentionally curving paths and avoiding straight lines to slow people down and encourage presence. He's even begun entering his trees in exhibitions and owns trees over 300 years old.

The discussion covers the evolution of music and entertainment, with both agreeing that the oversaturation of content on platforms like Spotify (300,000 songs released daily) makes it nearly impossible to discover new music through traditional means. They discuss how classic songs like Led Zeppelin's 'Whole Lotta Love' and Lynyrd Skynyrd's 'Free Bird' would never pass muster today due to their lengthy intros, and how record label executives often lack the creative sensibility to make good decisions. Tommy released a song called 'Stupid World' commenting on the absurdity of modern life.

The conversation transitions into Tommy's passion for cars, discussing his first major purchase—a 1982 Corvette with a blower and injection system that he modified with exhaust cutouts in the glove box. They extensively compare classic muscle cars (particularly 1960s Mustangs and Corvettes) with modern sports cars, discussing the engineering and design evolution. Tommy also shares stories about buying a black-on-black Ferrari Testarossa, discovering it had no stereo because Enzo Ferrari believed the engine sound was the music. They lament the new electric Ferrari and compare it unfavorably to the beautiful SF90, discussing why Ferraris maintain sophistication while Lamborghinis feel ostentatious.

On the physical demands of drumming, Tommy discusses how a single two-hour show involves running approximately 13.3 miles of movement, explaining the cardio intensity rivals any sport. He describes his famous drum riser innovations, including the upside-down roller coaster setup that requires significant physical conditioning and produces oxygen depletion. He explains how he developed these visual elements after seeing Tommy Aldrich's drum solo go unnoticed by the audience, inspiring him to make drums more visually engaging for crowds.

Tommy also discusses his journey learning drums, noting he never took formal lessons but learned by ear, playing along to favorite songs. He explains his songwriting process varies—sometimes starting with a beat, sometimes a lyric, sometimes just inspiration from current experiences. He uses computer demos to present finished-sounding songs to the band while leaving room for collaboration.

The conversation touches on smoking cigarettes, with Tommy noting he quit for a year before returning to the habit, particularly when drinking. They discuss how many creative people swear by cigarettes for cognitive function, though lung cancer statistics show about 15% of current smokers develop lung cancer. They mention studies suggesting high polyphenol diets (like Mediterranean diets with olive oil) may help mitigate some smoking risks.

Toward the end, Tommy expresses his emotional experience watching Mötley Crüe perform for third-generation fans—grandparents' children now experiencing the music for the first time, creating a full circle moment. He discusses the band's upcoming summer tour after taking over a year off from their two-and-a-half year stadium tour with Def Leppard, expressing enthusiasm about balancing touring with home life.