The horrendous 1980s rock and roll show that introduced Mötley Crüe to the world: “These guys are crap”

Mötley Crüe’s first show at West Hollywood’s Starwood Club in April 1981 began with a hostile crowd and quickly turned violent. The chaotic performance became an early test of the band’s confrontational image and helped introduce them to the Sunset Strip scene.

The group, then supporting Y&T, had barely rehearsed a full set and played original songs alongside covers while still finding their footing. Singer Vince Neil fought a heckler, and bassist Nikki Sixx joined the fray; Y&T frontman Dave Meniketti initially dismissed them as “crap”, but later said he had been proved wrong. After four shows in two days, the audience’s response had shifted.