Extreme guitarist Nuno Bettencourt shared a photo of Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee alongside Extreme’s own drummer Kevin Figueiredo. The photo was taken during the ongoing Mötley Crüe tour. Bettencourt praised Figueiredo and revealed Tommy Lee’s importance to his career.
Bettencourt wrote: “YOU CAN REPLACE NOTES. YOU CAN’T REPLACE FEEL. F*ck yeah FIGG … finally getting the recognition you deserve. Too long overdue. I am proud … but not the least bit surprised at seeing My Boy FIGG, Kevin Figueiredo, where he belongs … in the company of GIANTS!”
“Mötley/ Extreme/ Tesla. Would not sound, drive, feel or groove the same without these boys… their drummers, their heartbeat. Those who know, know… those who don’t with musical ignorance unfortunately will never understand your value.”
“But guys like myself .. the players , producers, writers, visionaries of the band, respect these drummers worth beyond any money can buy. They are priceless. Invaluable. And gravely unappreciated as they don’t get that Bad drummer = bad band. I will never step on that stage with anyone else other than Kevin Figueiredo.”
“As a massive fan of Mötley Crüe… Watching and listening to Tommy Lee live and on records for decades is the perfect example of how important he is to the DNA of Mötley Crüe swag, swing and pocket. I mean he so fkn good he makes thousands every night, including me, play air drums to 4 Cowbell hits in LIVEWIRE that we’re fkn waiting and anticipating through the whole fkn song for. Lfgoooo!!! See ya boys tomorrow on stage. How blessed am I.”
Bettencourt’s comments highlight the deep respect between these veteran rock musicians as they share the stage on their current tour.
Extreme is currently touring with Mötley Crüe and Tesla on their 2026 North American run. Figueiredo continues to play drums for the band. The tour dates run through July, August, and September. This tour pairs Extreme’s core lineup of Nuno Bettencourt, Gary Cherone, Pat Badger, and Figueiredo with Mötley Crüe and Tesla.
Tommy Lee has long served as the drummer for Mötley Crüe. The band continued with him on drums even after guitarist Mick Mars retired from touring in 2022 due to ankylosing spondylitis. Lee and the band have maintained fully live performances despite past disputes regarding how much of their set was pre-recorded.
Lee has also spoken openly about his serious struggles with addiction. He noted that maintaining his sobriety has been difficult over the years. He previously discussed how the band’s extreme excesses pushed the members toward rehab before they recorded their hit album Dr. Feelgood. This personal history underscores his enduring place in the band.
Bettencourt’s comments arrive during the bands’ latest joint trek. The summer 2026 tour includes Mötley Crüe, Extreme, and Tesla across North America. The tour is billed as “The Return Of The Carnival Of Sins.” It marks a major summer run for the three classic rock acts.
Bettencourt’s praise for Figueiredo aligns with Extreme’s long live history. The drummer continues to anchor the band’s live sets alongside Bettencourt’s guitar work. The current tour places both musicians on the same bill as Lee. This setup makes Bettencourt’s point about drummers serving as a band’s heartbeat especially relevant.
