Rock manager-turned-critic Alan Niven has unleashed a blistering attack on Mötley Crüe, accusing the legendary glam-metal band of being morally questionable and musically hollow.
Speaking to the Los Angeles Times, the former Guns N’ Roses and Mötley Crüe manager admitted he regrets ever having played a part in the group’s rise.
“[I feel] very ambivalent about the small role I played in the progression of Mötley Crüe because I know who they are,” Niven said. “I know what they’ve done to various people. I know how they’ve treated certain numbers of women. And I am not proud of contributing to that.”
Niven also took direct aim at their body of work.
“And on top of that, someone needs to turn around and say, ‘It’s a thin catalog that they produced,’ in terms of what they produced as music,” he continued. “There’s not much there and it’s certainly not intellectually or spiritually illuminating in any way, shape or form. They are brutish entertainers, and that’s it.”
A Rocky Early Connection
According to Wikipedia, Niven first crossed paths with Mötley Crüe in 1981 when he helped distribute and promote their self-released debut album, Too Fast for Love. While this was a pivotal moment in the band’s trajectory, it also exposed Niven to the behaviors and attitudes that would later form the basis of his criticisms.
Notable Wins, Turbulent Exits
Despite his regrets, Niven’s career in rock management boasts major victories. As documented by GN’R Evolution, he successfully convinced David Geffen to renegotiate Guns N’ Roses’ contract — a rare coup in the music industry.
However, his professional relationships often ended in conflict. VW Music Rocks notes that Niven was fired from Guns N’ Roses in 1991 despite his contributions to the band’s success, underlining the volatility of working with big-name rock acts.
A Brutal Assessment
Niven’s comments add to the ongoing debate over Mötley Crüe’s legacy. To fans, they remain icons of 1980s rock excess. To critics like Niven, they’re little more than flashy showmen with questionable conduct and an unimpressive discography.
