History of Tommy Lee in Timeline

Tommy Lee (born Thomas Lee Bass) is an American musician best known as the drummer and co-founder of the iconic heavy metal band Mötley Crüe. Beyond his work with Mötley Crüe, Lee formed the rap metal band Methods of Mayhem and has also released solo musical projects. He is known for his energetic and flamboyant drumming style and his prominent presence in pop culture and entertainment.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1957: Mother's Beauty Contest

In 1957, Tommy Lee's mother, Vassiliki Papadimitriou, participated in the Miss Greece beauty contest.

October 3, 1962: Tommy Lee's Birth

On October 3, 1962, Thomas Lee Bass, known as Tommy Lee, was born in Athens, Greece. He would later become a musician and co-founder of Mötley Crüe.

Others born on this day/year

1981: Debut Album Release

In 1981, Mötley Crüe released its debut album, Too Fast for Love, on their own independent label, Leathür Records.

1981: Formation of Mötley Crüe

In 1981, after London broke up, Tommy Lee and Nikki Sixx decided to form a new group. Shortly afterward, guitarist Mick Mars joined the band and after recruiting Vince Neil, Mötley Crüe was officially formed.

1982: Record Deal with Elektra

In 1982, Elektra Records signed Mötley Crüe and reissued their debut album.

1983: Release of 'Shout at the Devil'

In 1983, Mötley Crüe released the album 'Shout at the Devil', marking a significant milestone in their career.

1984: Marriage to Elaine Starchuk

In 1984, Tommy Lee married Elaine Starchuk, marking his first marriage.

1985: Release of 'Theatre of Pain'

In 1985, Mötley Crüe released the album 'Theatre of Pain', adding to their string of successful releases.

May 10, 1986: Marriage to Heather Locklear

On May 10, 1986, Tommy Lee married actress Heather Locklear, his second marriage.

1986: Start of Horse Deaths at Calgary Stampede

Since 1986, 50 horses have died during the Calgary Stampede's chuckwagon races, leading to Tommy Lee's protest in 2013.

1987: Release of 'Girls, Girls, Girls'

In 1987, Mötley Crüe released the album 'Girls, Girls, Girls', further solidifying their status in the hard rock scene.

1989: Release of 'Dr. Feelgood'

In 1989, Mötley Crüe released the album 'Dr. Feelgood', continuing their decade of hit releases.

1993: Divorce from Heather Locklear

In 1993, Tommy Lee and Heather Locklear divorced, ending their marriage.

February 19, 1995: Marriage to Pamela Anderson

On February 19, 1995, just four days after meeting her, Tommy Lee married Pamela Anderson.

1995: Tape Recorded

In 1995, Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson videotaped their sexual activities while on a houseboat on Lake Mead, Arizona.

June 5, 1996: Birth of Brandon Thomas Lee

On June 5, 1996, Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson's first son, Brandon Thomas Lee, was born.

1996: Soundtrack Contribution

In 1996, Tommy Lee contributed the song "Planet Boom" to the soundtrack of Pamela Anderson's movie, Barb Wire.

1996: Battery Charges

In 1996, Tommy Lee had pleaded no contest to criminal charges of battery against a Jewish photographer after Lee attacked the man outside the Viper Room.

October 1997: Arrest for Instigating a Riot

In October 1997, Tommy Lee, along with Nikki Sixx, was arrested in North Carolina after instigating a riot during the 1997 concert at Greensboro Coliseum.

December 29, 1997: Birth of Dylan Jagger Lee

On December 29, 1997, Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson's second son, Dylan Jagger Lee, was born.

1997: Release of Stolen Video

In 1997, the video of Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson's sexual activities was stolen in 1995, released on the internet, and became a prime example of viral pornography.

1998: Divorce from Pamela Anderson

In 1998, Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson divorced, leading to a custody battle over their sons.

1998: Lawsuit over Swastika Tattoo

In 1998, Tommy Lee faced a lawsuit when he allegedly exposed a right-facing Nazi swastika tattoo on his arm to public scrutiny.

1998: Jail Time for Assaulting Pamela Anderson

In 1998, Tommy Lee served six months in county jail after pleading no contest to kicking Pamela Anderson while she was holding their son Dylan.

1999: Crüe's Greatest Hits Tour and Formation of Methods of Mayhem

In 1999, Tommy Lee rejoined Mötley Crüe for the Crüe's Greatest Hits tour and formed the rap metal band Methods of Mayhem, releasing a self-titled album the same year.

May 2000: Jail for Probation Violation

In May 2000, Tommy Lee served five days in jail for violating his probation by drinking alcohol.

2000: DJ Partnership with DJ Aero

In 2000, Tommy Lee and DJ Aero began DJing together.

June 16, 2001: Drowning in Lee's Swimming Pool

On June 16, 2001, 4-year-old Daniel Karven-Veres drowned in Tommy Lee's swimming pool while attending a birthday party for Lee's 5-year-old son, Brandon.

2001: Brief Reunion with Pamela Anderson

In 2001, Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson briefly reunited upon Lee's release from jail but eventually split again.

2001: Participation in 'The Dirt' Autobiography

In 2001, Tommy Lee participated in Mötley Crüe's autobiography, The Dirt, despite distancing himself from the band after splitting.

August 2002: Ozzfest Mainstage Performance

In August 2002, Tommy Lee and his solo band joined Ozzfest on the mainstage.

2002: Joint Custody of Sons

In 2002, Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson were granted joint custody of their sons, ending their custody battle.

2002: Engagement to Mayte Garcia

In 2002, Tommy Lee became engaged to dancer Mayte Garcia, the ex-wife of Prince.

April 2003: Lee Cleared in Drowning Lawsuit

In April 2003, Tommy Lee was cleared by a jury in the negligence lawsuit filed by Daniel Karven-Veres' parents following the drowning incident in his swimming pool.

2003: End of Engagement to Mayte Garcia

In 2003, Tommy Lee's engagement to Mayte Garcia ended.

2004: Ultra Music Festival Debut

In 2004, Tommy Lee and DJ Aero debuted as DJs on the mainstage at Ultra Music Festival during Winter Music Conference (WMC).

2004: Mötley Crüe Reunion and Anthology Release

In 2004, Tommy Lee reunited with the original Mötley Crüe line-up to release the double-disc anthology album Red, White & Crüe.

2004: Tommy Lee Goes to College

In 2004, Tommy Lee starred in a reality show on NBC titled Tommy Lee Goes to College, where he also served as one of the producers.

2005: The Red, White & Crüe Tour

In 2005, Mötley Crüe embarked on The Red, White & Crüe Tour 2005: Better Live Than Dead, which was the band's first tour in six years. The tour grossed US$33 million and finished the year at #8 on the Top Concert Money Earners list.

2005: Autobiography and Solo Album Release

In 2005, Tommy Lee released his autobiography, Tommyland, and his second solo album, Tommyland: The Ride, which served as a soundtrack to the book.

November 21, 2006: Rock Star Supernova Album Release

On November 21, 2006, the self-titled debut album Rock Star Supernova was released.

2006: Formation of Rock Star Supernova

In 2006, Tommy Lee formed a new band called Rock Star Supernova with Jason Newsted and Gilby Clarke.

2006: Cancellation of Crüe Tour Dates

In 2006, a lengthy leg of Mötley Crüe tour dates was cancelled due to Tommy Lee's participation in reality TV shows, which led to a lawsuit between the band and his manager.

September 2007: Brief Resignation from Mötley Crüe

In September 2007, Tommy Lee initially quit Mötley Crüe before returning to the band.

September 2007: Fight at MTV Video Music Awards

In September 2007, Tommy Lee was involved in a fight with Kid Rock at the MTV Video Music Awards ceremony, resulting in Lee being ejected and Kid Rock being cited for assault.

November 2007: Reported Departure from Mötley Crüe

In November 2007, it was announced that Tommy Lee was no longer a member of Mötley Crüe, reportedly due to a lawsuit between the band and his manager.

2007: Electro Mayhem DJ Tour

In 2007, Tommy Lee and DJ Aero, known as Electro Mayhem, performed over 60 club dates as DJs throughout North America.

2008: Reunion and Final Split with Pamela Anderson

In 2008, Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson were back together and living with each other and their children, but they split for good soon afterward.

2008: Crüe Fest Tour

In 2008, Tommy Lee ended up recording the new album, Saints of Los Angeles, and toured with Mötley Crüe on its Crüe Fest tour.

2008: Battleground Earth

In Spring 2008, Tommy Lee began filming another reality TV show with rapper Ludacris for Planet Green titled Battleground Earth.

2009: Collaboration with Sharam

In 2009, Tommy Lee appeared in select cities with Sharam, accompanying him live on the piano during his house DJ sets.

2010: Protest Against SeaWorld's Treatment of Tilikum

In 2010, Tommy Lee, as a supporter of animal rights and PETA, sent a letter to the president of SeaWorld, Terry Prather, protesting the treatment of Tilikum the orca. Lee advocated for Tilikum's release and criticized SeaWorld's methods of obtaining Tilikum's sperm, deeming them "sick and twisted."

2011: Meowington Hax Tour with deadmau5

In 2011, Tommy Lee and DJ Aero accompanied deadmau5 in his Meowington Hax tour.

2013: Letter to Alberta Premier Regarding Chuckwagon Races

In 2013, Tommy Lee, as a member of PETA, sent a letter to the then-Alberta Premier Alison Redford requesting that she end the Calgary Stampede's chuckwagon races due to the deaths of 50 horses since 1986.

2014: Engagement to Sofia Toufa

In 2014, Tommy Lee got engaged to Greek-German singer Sofia Toufa.

2014: Smashing Pumpkins Collaboration and Mötley Crüe Farewell Tour

In 2014, Tommy Lee performed on the Smashing Pumpkins' Monuments to an Elegy album and rejoined Mötley Crüe for the group's farewell tour.

2017: End of Engagement to Sofia Toufa

In 2017, Tommy Lee's engagement to Greek-German singer Sofia Toufa ended.

February 14, 2018: Proposal to Brittany Furlan

On February 14, 2018, Tommy Lee announced his proposal to his girlfriend, social media celebrity Brittany Furlan.

February 14, 2019: Marriage to Brittany Furlan

On February 14, 2019, Tommy Lee married Brittany Furlan.

March 2019: The Dirt Film Release

In March 2019, the Mötley Crüe biographical film The Dirt, chronicling Tommy Lee's relationship with Heather Locklear, was released on Netflix.

2019: Guest Starring on The Goldbergs

In 2019, Tommy Lee guest starred on Season 7, Episode 14 of The Goldbergs as Professor Lee.

October 2020: Halloween in Hell Podcast

Throughout October 2020, Tommy Lee played the Devil in four episodes of Halloween in Hell, a fictionalized musical horror podcast.

February 2022: Pam & Tommy Miniseries Debut

In February 2022, a fictionalized miniseries, Pam & Tommy, debuted on Hulu chronicling the theft and distribution of the stolen tape.

September 27, 2022: Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

On September 27, 2022, Tommy Lee appeared with Nikki Sixx in a tribute concert for Taylor Hawkins at Kia Forum in Inglewood, California.

2022: Starring in 'The Retaliators'

In 2022, Tommy Lee starred in the action horror thriller The Retaliators as a strip club DJ.

Mentioned in this timeline

California is the most populous US state located on the...

Pamela Anderson is a Canadian-American actress model and media personality...

The National Broadcasting Company NBC is a major American commercial...

American actress Heather Locklear is best known for her television...

Kid Rock born Robert James Ritchie is an American musician...

Los Angeles L A is California's most populous city and...