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Review of "Motley Crue: A Visual History 1983-2005"
By: Terry Bunch
Date: Nov, 2010

Publisher: Chronicle Books
Writer: Neil Zlozower, foreward by Nikki Sixx
Genre: Biography / Photography / Art
Format: hardcover
Review Rating: 9/10

Neil Zlozower is one of the most proliferate rock photographers out there and his historical collection of Motley Crue images rivals all others. The book is accented with quotes from various people that were/are part of Motley Crue's history. These insights help the reader understand the stories behind some of the photos.

Neil met Motley Crue in 1982 and he visually documented the band up through 2005. This book features live shots, publicity shots, candid shots and more. All of the photos are of the original four members (Vince, Nikki, Mick and Tommy) and does not include any photos of the "replacement" members during Motley's "restructure" where John Corabi replaced Vince Neil (1992-1996), Randy Castillo replaced Tommy Lee (1999-2002) and Samantha Maloney played drums on the road (2000-2001). The original Crue reformed in Sept 2004 and toured in 2005. The band skips the "replacement" years. Apparently, Neil Zlozower was not taking photos of the band during that time.

As a history of the band, this book is fantastic. You get to see the band as only Neil did at the time. This reviewer is most impressed with the ability that Neil had to capture the real Motley Crue. You can feel a connection with each band member as you flip through the 275 photographs. You almost feel like you were there to see it happen.

The stories from various people on how they met the band include people such as Ray Brown (clothing designer), Fred Saunders (head of tour security), Doug Thaler (band manager), Doc McGhee (band Manager) and Tom Zutaut (a&r rep) among others.

This is a must own book for any fan of the Crue as well as fans of the partying, free lifestyle that the band lead. Once again, Neil Zlozower has proven himself a photographer extraordinaire.

From the publisher:

Motley Crue's gleeful glam debauchery and unstoppable anthems have made them metal gods, selling over 72 million album copies worldwide and landing their band biography The Dirt on bestseller lists around the country. 'Motley Crue' is amazingly the first photographic history of the band. Legendary rock photographer Neil Zlozower's images capture the band's rise from their breakthrough album Shout at the Devil through rock 'n' roll excesses to follow with the unprecedented all-access candor of a friend to the band. In hundreds of photographs and stories from the band and those close to them, Motley Crue reveals them onstage, backstage, on tour, hanging out, and in studio a must-have album of photos and testimony on one of the most powerful and controversial bands in rock history.