John Corabi has shared his honest thoughts on the long and winding road to acceptance for the 1994 self-titled Mötley Crüe album — the only record he recorded as the band’s lead singer.
In a recent interview with Robby Vegas, Corabi reflected on how the album was initially met with heavy resistance from fans upset about Vince Neil’s departure in 1992. More than three decades later, the record has undergone a significant re-evaluation, with many now considering it one of the strongest and most ambitious releases in the band’s catalog.
Corabi explained his relaxed perspective using a metaphor from his book Horseshoes and Hand Grenades:
“Yeah. I mean like again this is why I called my book ‘Horseshoes and Hand Grenades.’ Because my dad told me you know in those two situations in horseshoes and hand grenades, it’s not about being on the money. It’s about who’s close.”
He acknowledged that his career has often involved coming close to major breakthroughs but frequently flying under the radar:
“And I’ve been close many many times in my career. But if you also know my career, you know that I’ve kind of flown under the radar with a lot of people in the music industry. And I’m okay with that.”
One of the most satisfying developments for Corabi has been fans admitting they initially refused to listen to the album because of loyalty to Vince Neil:
“I have had quite a few fans come up to me and say, ‘You know what? I was kind of pissed that Mötley got rid of Vince Neil, so I didn’t even want to listen to your record, but I figured it’s been 20 years, so I found a copy of the record. And God, Dude, it’s pretty good.’”
Corabi emphasized that he holds no bitterness:
“And I’m okay with that, too… I love that record. I had a great time with the guys for the four or five years that I was there… I really have no ill will towards anybody at all. So, it is what it is, man. It’s just the way my cards got played out.”
He also stressed his forward-looking mindset:
“I guess one of the reasons why I wrote New Day is because I’m not the type of person to sit and think about things that I’ve already done and reassess them because you can’t change it… Might as well look through the windshield instead of the rearview mirror.”
Original Commentary: The 1994 Mötley Crüe album remains one of the most divisive releases in the band’s history. While it was commercially disappointing at the time due to the grunge era and fan backlash over the vocalist change, it has aged remarkably well. Tracks like “Hooligan’s Holiday,” “Misunderstood,” and “Power to the Music” showcase a heavier, darker, and more mature sound. Corabi’s mature and gracious attitude toward the delayed appreciation speaks volumes about his character.
