Tommy Lee

Date: 2026-06-30 | Duration: 2h 23m

Episode Overview

Joe Rogan opens by greeting legendary Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee, immediately noticing the diamond in Lee’s tooth and inspiring Rogan to consider getting a gold tooth himself. The conversation quickly shifts to Tommy Lee’s son getting married, prompting a reflective discussion on the challenges of growing up in Los Angeles with a rock star father and the prevalence of negative influences in the city. Lee expresses immense pride that his son has built a stable relationship, doing “the exact opposite of his dad,” and highlights the difficulty of maintaining normalcy amidst the chaos of the rock and roll world. The discussion pivots to the enduring power of music, with Tommy Lee sharing a memorable story about Mötley Crüe opening for the Rolling Stones. He recounts witnessing Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Ronnie Wood appear heavily inebriated just twenty minutes before hitting the stage, only to transform into flawless performers the moment the lights went out. This leads to an appreciation for the longevity of rock legends like the Rolling Stones and Rick Springfield, whose energetic performances at advanced ages inspire both Rogan and Lee. They also lament the saturation of modern music platforms like Spotify, arguing that the sheer volume of new releases makes it difficult for truly original or great music to break through the “static.” Later, Tommy Lee delves into his passion for bonsai, explaining how his visits to Japanese gardens inspired him to take up the art eight years ago. He describes how the meticulous care, wiring, and pruning of bonsai trees provide a meditative escape from the constant demands of his rock star life. Lee also shares insights into the deliberate design of Zen gardens, emphasizing how their curved paths and natural elements are crafted to slow visitors down and encourage presence. The episode concludes with Tommy Lee reflecting on Mötley Crüe's enduring appeal across generations and his continued love for performing live, underscoring the profound connection he shares with his audience.

About Tommy Lee

Tommy Lee is the legendary drummer of Mötley Crüe, one of the most influential rock bands of the 1980s and beyond. Known for his powerful drumming and larger-than-life personality in rock and roll, Lee has evolved into a multifaceted artist who finds creative balance through unexpected pursuits like bonsai cultivation, which he practices as a meditative counterpoint to his touring lifestyle. His reflections on fatherhood, the timeless power of live music, and the challenge of breaking through modern music saturation reveal a seasoned performer who remains deeply connected to his craft and audience after decades in the industry.

Key Moments

00:01:09 – Tommy Lee's son getting married and relationship advice
00:05:35 – Reflecting on the surreal experience of rock stardom
00:07:40 – Tommy Lee's backstage encounter with The Rolling Stones
00:10:35 – Joe and Tommy marvel at Rick Springfield's energetic performance at 76
00:13:57 – Discussion on music industry oversaturation and the decline of discovery
00:17:22 – Impact of short attention spans on modern entertainment consumption
00:20:00 – Critique of music executives' bad advice on song length
00:24:33 – The disastrous music video that impacted Billy Squier's career
00:29:08 – The enduring power and energy of Motley Crue's 'Kickstart My Heart'
00:32:20 – Exploring the concept of sound therapy and music frequencies
00:37:45 – Tommy Lee shares his passion and daily routine for bonsai gardening
00:43:01 – The spiritual philosophy behind Japanese Zen garden design
00:47:50 – The importance of nature and green spaces like Central Park
00:50:28 – Concerns about horse-drawn carriages in urban environments after an accident
00:55:11 – Tommy Lee discusses his smoking habit and perceived cognitive benefits
01:04:10 – Roger Waters' live shows and Ari Shafir's acid experience
01:06:06 – Reflections on the past and unfulfilled promises of flying cars
01:10:45 – Tommy Lee's new song 'Stupid World' and criticism of Los Angeles
01:15:45 – Comparing audiobooks and reading, and the challenges of multitasking
01:19:50 – Discussion of David Goggins' extreme fitness and mental discipline
01:25:27 – Motley Crue's early success and the wild 'anything goes' 80s rock scene
01:28:55 – Tommy Lee details the technical challenges of his gyroscoping drum kit
01:35:05 – The intense physical demands and calories burned while drumming
01:45:47 – Tommy Lee on using computers for music demos
01:46:51 – Reflecting on Mötley Crüe's long career and sustained passion
01:47:12 – Discussing the solar system's helical movement through space
01:51:51 – Tommy Lee's first major purchase: a 1982 Corvette T-top
01:53:26 – Critiquing the design of the 1982 Ford Mustang
01:55:24 – Modifying the Corvette with a supercharger and custom exhaust
01:56:47 – Tommy Lee's admiration for the Shelby Cobra
01:59:21 – Tommy Lee's experience buying a Ferrari Testarossa
02:00:26 – Ferrari's design philosophy of no factory stereo
02:02:52 – Discussing Ferrari's decision to discontinue manual transmissions
02:03:26 – Strong criticism of Ferrari's new electric car design
02:04:10 – Appreciation for the classic 1965 Lincoln Continental
02:05:00 – Joe Rogan praises the Ferrari 458 Italia as a design masterpiece
02:06:27 – Comparing the perceived owner image of Ferrari versus Lamborghini
02:10:19 – Tommy Lee's insights from Skip Barber racing school
02:11:42 – The immersive experience of driving high-performance, internal combustion cars
02:17:31 – The differing market value of used electric vs. gasoline cars
02:19:10 – Mötley Crüe's extensive world tour and recent break
02:21:03 – Observing multi-generational Mötley Crüe fans at concerts

Transcript Excerpt

[00:00:01] Joe Rogan podcast, checking out. The Joe Rogan Experience. Train by day, Joe Rogan podcast by night, all day. We're rolling? Thanks for the heads up, so I'm not tripping later going. Hey, dude. Good to see you, man. Yeah, good to see, too. [00:00:19] What's cracking? You got a diamond in your tooth? Is that what's going on? Nice. Yeah. Nice. That's fun. My friend Cam just got a gold tooth. [00:00:27] And I was giving him a hard time. But then I was like, damn, I think I want one. God, yeah, you got to get one, dude. I'm thinking again, a gold tooth. I have a cap. I had a root canal. I've got a cap out. I think I'm going to swap it out for a gold tooth. [00:00:54] So what's cracking, brother? How are you doing? I'm good, man. I'm stoked to be here to see you. Stoke does have you here. Yeah, man. Shit, I wish I was staying longer now. But we'll make the best of... [00:01:09] How long are you staying? How long are you in town for? I'm leaving after... Right after this? After you. Where you headed? Back home, L.A. My son is getting married. [00:01:33] where the fuck did that time, A, go? Right. And, like, I'm so fucking happy for him that he's been seeing this girl for seven years. I'm so proud that he did exactly the opposite of his dad. You know what I mean? Right, right. He knows, and they've been, basically, they've been married, you know. Mm-hmm. [00:02:00] And they're just making it official now. And I'm just so happy for them. I'm like, I tell them all the time, I'm like, so happy for you, dude. Like, you know, you use some patience and some love and like mix it all around and put some time in there. And you know, shit's like your survival rate is going to be way better, way better. And that makes me really happy. And your happiness rate. I think if you're a kid and your dad is Tommy Lee and you've had such a fucking crazy chaos. [00:02:48] Just like make sure that what he's doing is the real shit. Yeah, I mean, especially in L.A. with a rock st...

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Frequently asked about this episode

Who was the guest on Joe Rogan Experience #2520?

Tommy Lee was the guest on JRE #2520. This page includes the episode overview, topics discussed, and related resources.

What topics were discussed on JRE #2520?

On Joe Rogan Experience #2520 with Tommy Lee, topics include Tommy Lee's son getting married and relationship advice, Reflecting on the surreal experience of rock stardom, Tommy Lee's backstage encounter with The Rolling Stones, and Joe and Tommy marvel at Rick Springfield's energetic.

Where can I read the transcript for JRE #2520?

The full searchable transcript for Joe Rogan Experience #2520 with Tommy Lee is available on this page, along with key topics and timestamps.