Motley's Vince: Why did I bite Eddie Van Halen's hand?

Singer remembers what he did last time at Donington - but can't think of a reason

Vince Neil is ahead of the Motley Crue pack in that he actually remembers appearing at Donington in 1984. But he doesn't remember why he bit Eddie Van Halen's hand.

He tells Paul Anthony: "It was pretty crazy back then with AC/DC and Van Halen.

"I remember being drunk in a bar and biting Eddie's hand for some reason. He was pretty pissed off.

"To be seen by that many people by a brand new band like Motley Crue was back then - it was a godsend. Then to go through all of Europe with AC/DC and Van Halen was really amazing for us."

While Monsters of Rock has given way to Download, Neil says it's still one of the best gigs to play anywhere: "This concert's not like any other concert in the world. Backstage is just nuts - there's some crazy people, tattoo shops, massage stalls, good-looking girls. It's all good."

With another Crue Fest looming and plenty more work on the horizon, Neil says he's looking forward to it all, and enjoys the chance to play the songs people want to hear while giving younger bands the opportunity Crue were given in the 1980s.

"It's pretty much a greatest hits set. We do a couple of songs from Saints of Los Angeles and some older obscure songs, and the rest are hits. As a rock fan I want to see the bands play the hits, so we look at it that way. Although someone's always going to be pissed off at you.

"This Crue Fest we've got Godsmack, Drowning Pool, Theory of a Dead Man and a new group called Charm City Devils. It's all good songs and great bands."

Rumour has it the Crue will be back in the UK very early in 2010.