Bon Jovi guitarist Phil X discussed his experience with Mötley Crüe’s Tommy Lee in a recent interview with Final Resonance TV.
“You know Tommy, I played on all his solo records. But when you ask Tommy Lee to play on your record and he says, Yes, you don’t want to just pitch any song,” Phil X said. “I created the song for Tommy Lee. I was looking on YouTube for a live drum solo from a Mötley Crüe show. I found this groove that he was just whailing on and thought, What is this? The groove was awesome.”
“Tommy gets the meat and potatoes drummer label a lot because of Mötley Crüe,” he continued. “Working on his records and being in a room recording with him showed me his incredible pocket and fill. He’s really creative, solid, and in the pocket. I wanted to capture that.”
Phil X shared these insights during his appearance on the ‘Welcome To Rockville Podcast’ Episode#1 Pow! Right in The Kisser!
The collaboration between these two musicians stems from a long-standing professional relationship across multiple projects.
Death Wish Coffee revealed that Phil X’s partnership with Tommy Lee emerged through his work with producer Scott Humphrey. This connection led to Phil X’s participation in Lee’s solo projects.
Their newest collaboration features ‘Fake The Day Away’ on Phil X’s latest album. Recent interviews highlighted how Phil X crafted the track specifically after studying Lee’s live performances.
Lee’s influence extends beyond his collaborations with Phil X. His innovative ‘crüecifly’ drum rollercoaster setup became a defining element of Mötley Crüe’s shows. This unique setup allows him to perform while suspended above the stage.
Drummers Weekly Groovecast documented Lee’s versatility in combining traditional rock drumming with electronic elements. This distinctive approach continues to attract musicians like Phil X, who seek his unique musical contributions.
