Poison drummer Rikki Rockett is sticking up for fellow drummer/tourmate Tommy Lee, who has been dealing with broken ribs and cannot play for the entirety of Motley Crue’s set on the Stadium Tour.
Rockett said in a new interview he didn’t know about Lee’s injury saying, “I didn’t know anything about it. I swear I didn’t. I went out and he wasn’t playing. And I’m like, ‘What the heck is going on, guys?’ So I went back and got the lowdown.”
Rockett added, “He’s taking a lot of heat, and I don’t think he should, because I think what’s cool about what he’s doing is he’s coming out there and he’s going, ‘This is painful to do it, but I want the audience to know that I’m here. I’m here for the duration. I’m not wussing out on this.’ Instead of running home and sitting six weeks out while he recovers, he’s part of the team. I think that’s badass.”
Lee broke the news about his broken ribs the first night of the Stadium Tour on June 16. He shared in a statement, “Man y’all ain’t gonna believe this s—! I broke 4 f—ing ribs! But I’ve been resting and healing and even though the doctor tells me I shouldn’t play at all, you know I’m stubborn and I’ll beast through the pain every show for as many songs as I can! And have no fear, my boy Tommy Clufetos is here to help me out until I’m back 100%. We’ve all been waiting years for this moment and there’s no way I’m missing this! On with the show!”
The Stadium Tour Kickoff: Setlists, Tommy Lee’s Broken Ribs & More