On one hand ridiculously self-absorbed; on the other hand a lot of people ask/interrupt to have a picture taken not so much to sincerely express admiration but to simply post it on social media, which is lame

Then again if you participate in reality tv shows, the honest starting point of any debate is an acknowledgement that you're part of the problem. You actually created the problem. 

Do not even THINK of asking Tommy Lee for a picture, you loser.

(((!!!!)))

Something you will never hear me say.

How grateful should a music artist be to his/her fans?

Regardless of what you think of the form, Tommy has a point:

1. His job - the one his fans are (hopefully) paying him to do - is playing music and giving a stage show. It is not being their eternal picture-posing servant. Being able to take a picture with a musician isn't a right - its good will on their part.
2. The tenor of what he's saying is don't be a penis - you're not talking to a fan-satisfaction machine, you're talking to a human being who is typically "off-duty" in these situations. A bit of empathy helps: if random strangers came up to you and did what you're about to do would that piss you off? How do you typically deal with beggars (yes, a fan that approaches their idol in a private situation is essentially begging)? How about the drunk who's feeling talkative and decides that you are the person he needs to share his innermost thoughts with? Annoyed? Just a little? Then think twice before making a nuisance of yourself.
3. Musicians really don't owe you anything - not even music. It's great that you bought the album (you did buy it, didn't you?), but that doesn't suddenly mean that the band is in your debt, any more than buying that iPhone entitled you to crash the late Steve Jobs' kitchen and raid his fridge.
   

WOW!!  thank you!!!  well put!!!!

Tommy's missive might resonate with a number of artists. They give pieces of themselves in their music and performances.. and they are rewarded in return. That's the deal. So boundaries.. if there were none, and they were simply owned outright by their fans, who wouldn't go mad?

I don't blame him. The ubiquity of cell phone cameras are a scourge to mankind, and some people are just plain rude/entitled.

I bet it's cause he's getting old; if he were 25 he wouldn't care, its just when he's basically double that, he doesn't like what he sees posted on the internet

No problem filming Pamela an embarrassing her for generations though right Tommy?  You my friend are a hypocrite. 

I can't imagine a professional ever writing a letter like this to his or her fans.  

How long before this "stunt" is over and an apology letter is written?

I think the late actress Kate Hepburn felt the same way; and I read that the late Patrick Swayze was also very annoyed at being bothered by fans in restaurants.

Good job Tommy! I found this letter because a fellow GNR fan let me know about it. I hear the same crap from GNR fans. Your right. You did it on your own and you don't owe anything to anyone. Some people are just give me give me people. And it's sad. As a huge music lover I have never in my life thought any musican owed me a thing. And I never will. peace out

amyl

The "deal" is whatever the person paying the bill says it is. Tommy is free to respond to these kind of requests however he wants. However, those slighted by his behavior could easily decide to stop supporting him. If Tommy's fans pull out--for any reason, whether right or wrong--Tommy will find out that the people who paid for his albums and shows are exactly the people who put him where he is now. Not saying that Tommy's being "cool" or being a "dick." This is largely a business decision--a customer service decision. If given bad customer service--however the customer chooses to define it--the customer will eventually stop paying for the service.

ha: 

Actor Kevin Costner is sitting next to me on this ✈ I'm gonna bug him for a picture hahaha! #notafuckinchance

 He comes across as a dick to me. I get he doesn't want to be bothered in public and he has a right to privacy.

 But to never give back by taking just a couple of seconds with the people who possibly support you? Especially after a show, when people traveled and paid good money to see you, it still bothers you for a quick pic?

 He's right, he doesn't owe them that, but why not go that extra mile to make the experience that much more memorable? So what if they're only showing off on social media? Thats free exposure and word of mouth.

There's actually something similar to Gene Simmons. Both were exalted by huge labels, to mega-fame, losing all perspective on this and deciding that they could be perfectly open, complete dicks, and they deserved it all etc.  But KISS is not as popular anymore, Simmons being a total dick among other factors have diminished that band's legacy.  The same will happen to Motley Crue if they keep this up.  It's the difference between a deep well of oil spilling 10s of millions a year and a declining stream that fizzles to 0.  Or less than zero as you become the butt of every joke, a caricature of campiness.

Don't dare ask Tommy Lee for a picture, because he'll slap you. Not with his hand....

Tommy Lee loves Instagram.

Tommy Lee has a point, but shouldn't have posted it on the Motley Crue fan page.

Aren't you glad you're not a Motley Crue fan?

YES

Genius - Motley Crue's open letter to their adoring fans.

he'll take some heat for it but he's kind of right

But if he were paid....

Saw KISS last year with my kids. Tried to explain to them that it was as much about the showmanship as the music. It was awesome. awesome close seats for $50 tickets bought outside 5 mins before show started from http://www.tickethold.com/concerts/motley-crue-tickets/index.php

If I had the chance to see motley I would want to be more close.

At least only 5-10% of fans will see it... Unless he promotes it of course...

Exactly just that, who gives a shit!  Motley Crue is a has-been band that should just give it up and has had more buzz offstage than on.  

You're too old, not relevant to the music scene, Satan is not cool to anyone, sharing old worn-out women amongst bandmates is pathetic, your management / label has no clue about social media or else they would have haltered this whiny-ass letter, oh wait, maybe since the band doesn't have a music career anymore, any sort of media chatter is what they're considering successful for bands on this level.

Please, please write about more relevant topics than this.  I could see this being the headline story on some heavy metal website created by some fanatic genre-biased fan, but for DMN?!  Celebrities whine about picture taking fans all the time, what's new?  NEXT...

You can work however hard you want, but if there is nobody to buy your albums, t-shirts, and concert tickets then you'll still be in your basement with those Zep records. There's no boardroom full of people hand picking random "hard workers" to be a rock star, it is a fan funded industry no matter how stupid, cheap, or shallow they are. 

Who gives a fuck? I mean really?

My thoughts exactly.

I miss the days when rockers could speak their mind and not have to worry about being politically correct all the time. They are rock stars, not politicians (who are even worse, ironically). Some rockers are viewed upon as heroes and role models, some just live the dream that so many of their fans wish they could be doing, and it's nothing to get so uptight about.

I completely dissagree.  When a musician makes a record and asks for fans support and fans give it I think there's a cretian obligation for the artist to be greatful and respectful.  In his letter he starts by saying how much he loves his fans but by the end he's baisically saying don't even look at him if you see him on the street?  Makes no sense.  

And I've been that douce that asked for a picture.  What I was thinking:  "Wow this person's music has meant so much to me over the years and I may never have another chance to tell them that, so fuck it, I'm going over to talk."  I wanted the picture as a keep sake so I could look back at that picture and remember when I met one of my heros.  

FYI- It was not Tommy.  lol

Tommy. I agree with most of what you've said. People today are just addicted to some form of media 24/7. I can only imagine the inconsiderate rude people you've encountered. Hell, I encounter many on a day to day basis and I'm not famous.

I would say however, you have to look at this a little different. They admire you, adore you, etc., so these people feel this may be the last and/or only chance they will ever have to remember seeing you, their hero. Life is all about memories, not material possessions, and pictures help us recall those memories. For some, it may very well be superficial bragging rights, but for others, it's a way to recall that great experience which you helped make. You helped to make a difference in their lives, you should feel honored!

In the entertainment industry, or any industry for that matter, you have to take the bad with the good. You can ignore the rude people, and humor those little people who you mean the world to. Certainly, not all are rude jerks. When you look at the big picture, I would think this annoyance is a small price to pay for all of the perks that go along with the job.

Best,

Dr. J. Patolious

No problem, and totally within your rights as an artist to define what you do and do not want. 

Agreed with all he said here. Well put.

- V

Spotify killed Motley Crue. Everything is Spotify´s fault . Even Global warming

I totally agree with him! I never ask celebs to take their pics with me because it's fucking silly. Must be a time waster for them to have to pose for pics everywhere they go. I'd be annoyed too.