Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee has opened up about the surreal nature of his band’s enduring success as they prepare to launch their massive 2026 North American trek, “The Return Of Carnival Of Sins.”
In a new interview with Fox 32 Chicago, Lee expressed gratitude for the band’s multi-generational appeal, admitting that he is often taken aback by the continued devotion of their fanbase as the group approaches its 45th anniversary.
“I still pinch myself on a daily basis that we’ve been blessed to still be here and still entertain people and leave them walking out of the venue going, like, ‘What the hell? That was insane,'” Lee said. “So I’m inspired by a lot — by a whole lot.”
The upcoming 33-city tour, produced by Live Nation, is designed to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the band’s groundbreaking 2005-2006 “Carnival Of Sins” production. According to Lee, the goal is to recreate that circus-themed spectacle for a new era of fans who missed it the first time around.
“The original ‘Carnival Of Sins‘ tour was absolutely insane. The production was — it was a carnival, and it was insane. So we’re bringing that back, because there’s so many fans out there that never got to experience that,” Lee explained.
For the drummer, the most rewarding aspect of touring in 2026 is witnessing the music transcend generations. He described the unique thrill of seeing parents introducing their children to the band’s catalog live.
“There’s nothing cooler on the planet than seeing somebody out there and they got their son or their daughter on their shoulders, singing, ‘Shout, Shout, Shout.’ As a musician, I’m looking out there while I’m playing. I’m, like, ‘Man, that kid’s, like, nine years old. What the hell?’ That just tells me that we’re gonna be around for quite a long time.”
Lee also touched on his personal creative drive, revealing that he remains a “tech nerd” in the studio, constantly finding inspiration in new recording technologies. “It’s kind of crazy, even for me, to keep up. I’m inspired daily,” he noted.
The “Return Of Carnival Of Sins” tour kicks off on July 17, 2026, in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania. Support for the run will come from hard rock veterans Extreme and Tesla.
Mötley Crüe “The Return Of Carnival Of Sins” 2026 Tour Dates
With Special Guests Extreme and Tesla
- July 17 – Burgettstown, PA – The Pavilion at Star Lake
- July 18 – Buffalo, NY – Darien Lake Amphitheater
- July 20 – Clarkson, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre
- July 22 – Toronto, ON – RBC Amphitheatre
- July 24 – Gilford, NH – BankNH Pavilion
- July 25 – Bangor, ME – Maine Savings Amphitheater
- July 27 – Camden, NJ – Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
- July 29 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center
- July 31 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
- Aug 1 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
- Aug 3 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live
- Aug 12 – Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
- Aug 14 – West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
- Aug 15 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
- Aug 17 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
- Aug 19 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheater
- Aug 21 – Shakopee, MN – Mystic Lake Amphitheater
- Aug 22 – Tinley Park, IL – Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
- Aug 24 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center
- Aug 25 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
- Aug 27 – Grand Rapids, MI – Acrisure Amphitheater
- Aug 28 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center
- Sep 8 – Kansas City, MO – Morton Amphitheater
- Sep 10 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion
- Sep 11 – Houston, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
- Sep 13 – Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater
- Sep 16 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
- Sep 18 – Chula Vista, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
- Sep 19 – Long Beach, CA – Long Beach Amphitheater
- Sep 21 – Salt Lake City, UT – Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre
- Sep 23 – Wheatland, CA – Toyota Amphitheatre
- Sep 24 – Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheater
- Sep 26 – Ridgefield, WA – Cascades Amphitheater
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