Jailhouse Rock (Live in Moscow 1989)

The Zoo Crew is live on THE ZOO, spinning the wildest tracks for all you Zoo Freaks out there! Right now, we’ve got Mötley Crüe’s “Jailhouse Rock (Live in Moscow 1989)” from their album Girls, Girls, Girls cranking through the airwaves. This cover of Elvis Presley’s classic was recorded during the band’s performance at the historic Moscow Music Peace Festival in August 1989, a massive event where they played to 200,000 Soviet fans at Lenin Stadium. The festival was a big deal, but the Crüe’s performance wasn’t without drama—Tommy Lee famously got into a scuffle with Jon Bon Jovi backstage, ripping his shirt off over disputes about stage slots. Fans have speculated that the “live” version on the album might actually be a mashup of multiple recordings, with some pointing to a Long Beach Arena show in 1985 as a possible source, where Vince Neil announced they were recording the track for their next album. Others, like a reviewer on Sleaze Roxx, weren’t impressed, calling it a “waste” and suggesting the band slapped audience noise on a studio track to pass it off as live. Either way, it’s a raw, high-energy take that captures Mötley Crüe’s chaotic spirit.

Let’s dive into some more trivia about this tune. The inclusion of “Jailhouse Rock” on Girls, Girls, Girls was controversial among fans and critics. Some, like a commenter on mikeladano.com, argued it was a filler track added because Nikki Sixx was too strung out on heroin to write more original material—after all, the album only had nine original songs, and one was a short ode to Sixx’s grandmother, “Nona.” The live version was meant to showcase the band’s electrifying stage presence, but some fans felt it didn’t live up to their studio work. Interestingly, the Louder article notes that Girls, Girls, Girls was recorded under tough circumstances, with the band battling addiction and personal turmoil, yet they still managed to create an album that went quadruple platinum. The Moscow performance itself was a milestone, as Mötley Crüe posted on X in 2019, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the festival and their wild ride in front of a sea of Soviet headbangers.

Now, let’s talk about how Mötley Crüe got their start. Formed in Hollywood, California, in 1981, the band came together when bassist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee decided to create something louder and ruder than the LA scene had seen. They recruited guitarist Mick Mars, who answered an ad looking for a “loud, rude, and aggressive” player, and vocalist Vince Neil, who was singing in a cover band called Rock Candy at the time. Their debut album, Too Fast for Love, was self-produced on their own Leathür Records before Elektra Records picked it up, remixed it, and launched them into the glam metal stratosphere. With influences from Aerosmith, AC/DC, and Kiss, they blended heavy metal with a punk edge and a theatrical, androgynous style—think big hair, makeup, and high-heeled boots. Their hedonistic lifestyle and raw energy made them icons, selling over 100 million albums worldwide, as noted on their official website. From strip club anthems to near-death experiences, Mötley Crüe’s journey is as notorious as their music.

For all you Zoo Freaks who can’t get enough of the Crüe, connect with them on their official website, where you’ll find tour updates and merch. Follow their antics on Facebook, Instagram, and X for the latest posts and throwback pics. Want to join the fan frenzy? Check out fan communities like the Mötley Crüe Fans Facebook group or dive into fan-run sites like Crüe Nation for news, forums, and more. Keep rocking with THE ZOO, and let’s keep the Crüe spirit alive!