Former Mötley Crüe singer John Corabi recently revealed the real story behind his longtime nickname “Crabby,” tracing it back to a playful mispronunciation by former Mötley Crüe guitarist Mick Mars that stuck with him throughout his career in a new interview with TotalRock’s Dawn Osborne.
In the interview, Corabi explained how a simple greeting evolved into an enduring moniker. He also spoke about his ongoing musical projects and the fan curiosity that continues to follow him decades after his stint with the iconic rock band.
The singer said, “Somebody was just asking me — literally I still get asked, they’re, like, ‘Why does everybody call you ‘Crabby’?’ And I go, ‘Well, it’s not what you think.’ [Chuckles].” He continued, “I have [Mötley Crüe guitarist] Mick Mars to thank for that, because Mick used to go, ‘Hey, Corabi.’ And it somehow went from ‘Hey, Corabi’ to ‘Hey, Corab’ to ‘Crab.’ And that was it.”
He then said, “I went from Corabi to Crab, and I’ve just been Crabby ever since. But that’s a Mick Mars nickname, and it just stuck.”
Corabi’s recollection of his time in Mötley Crüe showed the playful tone he had with Mick Mars and the Crüe members during his era.
The vocalist replaced Vince Neil as the lead singer of Mötley Crüe after Neil’s departure in 1992. During his tenure with the band, he recorded the 1994 self-titled Mötley Crüe album and the Quaternary EP. Although the album received some critical praise, it did not reach the commercial heights of the band’s earlier work, and by 1997 the group had brought Neil back, resulting in Corabi’s departure.
After leaving Crüe, Corabi remained active in rock, performing with bands like Union, Ratt, and The Dead Daisies, and releasing solo material, continuing a career that spans multiple decades and projects.
