Classic hard-rock icons Mötley Crüe are celebrating their 45th anniversary with a special vinyl release for Record Store Day 2026: the Live Wire EP, arriving exclusively on April 18 at independent record shops around the world.
Originally distributed as a radio-only promotional EP in 1982, Live Wire has been out of print for more than four decades — until now. For the first time ever, the EP will be pressed on 12-inch color vinyl with newly designed cover art, offering fans and collectors a rare physical format of the early Crüe classic.
The release includes three tracks that capture the raw energy of Mötley Crüe’s early years:
Side A
- Live Wire
- Take Me to the Top
Side B
- Merry-Go-Round
“Live Wire” was originally released as a single on August 16, 1982, and later appeared on the band’s influential debut album Too Fast for Love. The song helped define the band’s early identity with its gritty vocals, snarling guitar riffs and unapologetic attitude.
Bassist Nikki Sixx has explained in past interviews that the song’s lyrics reflect a difficult chapter from his youth — a stark contrast to the party-rock reputation the band would become known for.
This Record Store Day edition is expected to be highly collectible due to Live Wire’s long absence from vinyl and its significance in the band’s catalog. Record Store Day — which takes place annually at indie shops — is known for rare pressings and exclusive releases from major artists, and this Crüe EP joins a packed 2026 slate that also includes special offerings from acts like Black Sabbath, Megadeth, Alice Cooper, KISS and more.
Fans who want to own the Live Wire EP on colored vinyl should plan to visit participating record stores on April 18; many collectors consider Record Store Day a must-visit event for rare items and limited editions.
Mötley Crüe are also gearing up for their sprawling The Return of Carnival of Sins tour in summer 2026, a 33-city trek celebrating the 20th anniversary of their iconic Carnival of Sins tour. The live campaign begins on July 17 in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, with support from Extreme and Tesla.
