Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee said he once injected Jack Daniel's whiskey into his veins during a drug-fueled binge in the 1980s [1].
The account highlights the extreme substance abuse associated with the height of the 1980s rock-and-roll era and the dangers of addiction.
Speaking on Dax Shepard’s "Armchair Expert" podcast in Los Angeles, Lee said he and bandmate Nikki Sixx ran out of heroin [1]. In an attempt to chase a high, Lee decided to inject the whiskey instead [1].
Lee recalled the absurdity of the decision during the recording. "We could just drink this," he said [2].
This period of excess defined the band's early public image and internal struggles. The binge cycles continued throughout the decade [1] until the group eventually entered rehabilitation together in 1989 [1].
Lee has spoken openly about his history with addiction in the years since. He previously discussed his journey toward sobriety during an interview with Entertainment Tonight in 2020 [1].
“"We could just drink this."”
Lee's recollection serves as a historical marker of the 'decade of excess,' illustrating the intersection of celebrity fame and severe chemical dependency. By detailing the transition from heroin to the dangerous injection of alcohol, Lee provides a visceral example of the desperation inherent in late-stage addiction.
