Crüe Show Scrutinized

Mötley Crüe‘s February 10th show at the Columbus Civic Center in Georgia came close to violating a city anti-lewdness ordinance, but the band might have skirted the issue.

Officials debated whether the spectacle, part of the “Carnival of Sins” tour, and its scantily clad, gyrating women, F-bombs and drummer Tommy Lee’s “breast cam” footage crossed the boundaries set prior to show time, according to the Bradenton Herald. Also under discussion is whether the ordinance needs to be updated for current situations.

Police at the concert said the Crüe was “damn close” to crossing the line. One officer said that if Lee had been a better cameraman, things might have been different.

“Some of the worst stuff was done off stage and projected on the screens,” Capt. J.D. Hawk told the paper. “If he’d had a decent camera or a better video screen, we might have made a case. But there was too much assuming we would’ve had to do.”

The city ordinance, which prohibits “sexually explicit” presentations “harmful to minors,” reportedly was adopted in 1987 in reaction to a Beastie Boys concert that caused an uproar.

Specifically, it applies to events in city-owned venues and prohibits minors at performances that include nudity, simulations of sexual intercourse or masturbation, pictures or replicas of sexual organs, constant use of four-letter words or portrayals of sadomasochism.

Civic Center director Dale Hester was aware of the Crüe’s raunchy reputation but the Live Nation-booked show was considered a coup for the market.

“When you have a concert like that, and they want to come here, and I say, ‘no,’ do you know how few shows would come here?” Hester told the Herald.

The director said he spoke to the band members prior to show time about cleaning up their act and how to do so. The band reportedly agreed.

As the night went on, the Crüe’s “better” behavior reverted back to normal, but the few arrests that were made didn’t involve the band.

Official opinions on the anti-lewdness ordinance vary but police and Civic Center officials were said to be planning a meeting to discuss if changes should be made.

Despite the controversy, Hester said he would bring Mötley Crüe back but with a different heading on the ticket.

“Man, it is the 21st century,” Hester told the paper. “The language and the way people dance now all has changed. … I don’t want people to get arrested in Columbus, Ga., because they say a word or do a dance.”

Bobby Brown, LL Cool J, KISS bassist Gene Simmons and rapper Too Short have all been busted because of the ordinance, the paper said. Ice-T canceled a show there and wrote a song called “Freedom of Speech” inspired by the ordinance.

Pollstar‘s attempts to reach Hester were unsuccessful at press time.