Tommy Lee’s Parents Loved Each Other until Death Parted Them

Legendary rock and roll artist, Tommy Lee Bass, started his journey as a drummer early, thanks to his parents, David Lee Thomas Bass and Vassiliki “Voula” Papadimitriou, who supported his passion from a young age.

Tommy is best known for his exploits with the heavy metal band Mötley Crüe, in which he was one of the founding members and drummer. The group released its first album, “Too Fast for Love” in 1981, and went on to become one of the best bands of the 80s.

For Tommy, his journey began in Greece, where his parents met. After becoming acquainted, David and Papadimitriou started a relationship and welcomed their son in 1962 in Athens. The family soon moved to America, where they had another child, a daughter.

Tommy Lee’s Parents Met in Greece

Tommy Lee’s father, David, and his mother, Vassiliki “Voula” Papadimitriou, met in Greece. David was a sergeant in the U.S. Army, while Papadimitriou was a contestant in the 1957 Miss Greece beauty pageant. The first years of their relationship were marred by communication problems due to the language barrier.

Papadimitriou didn’t speak English, and they had to communicate using a translation dictionary and drawing pictures for each other. However, that did not deter them from falling in love, and before long, the couple welcomed their son, Tommy, on October 3, 1962, in Athens.

The family moved to California a year after the drummer’s birth. After settling stateside, David and Papadimitriou had their second child, Athena Lee. She grew up to become a drummer like her older brother.

Tommy Lee of Mötley Crüe performs onstage during The Stadium Tour at Truist Park on June 16, 2022, in Atlanta, Georgia | Source: Getty Images

David Lee Thomas Bass Made a Rehearsal Studio Out of His Garage for His Son

Tommy said his family was middle class, and his father worked hard. After leaving the military, David worked as a shop superintendent. Papadimitriou did not have permanent employment but would work part-time cleaning people’s houses, something she was embarrassed to admit.

They had a very loving family, and Tommy was pleased to grow up watching his mom and dad as they were so in love with each other all their lives. He explained, saying, “I’d watch my dad pinch my mom’s (expletive) and blow her kisses from across the room or get up suddenly just to go over [to her].”

The loving parents didn’t just keep the love to themselves; they also gave it to their children. Papadimitriou and David highly supported their son’s hobby of playing drums. Tommy had shown a passion for the instrument when he was still a preschooler, and his parents bought him his first set of drums when he was just four.

Tommy Lee of Mötley Crüe poses for a photo circa 1985 | Source: Getty Images

When their son reached his teenage years and still had the passion, they upgraded to a genuine drum kit and paid for his lessons. David went the extra mile by turning his workspace in the garage into a rehearsal studio. The parents accepted when Tommy walked his first steps as a rock and roller by getting his first tattoo at 17.

However, David and Papadimitriou had doubts about their son’s path but continued to help him as much as possible. Their most frightening moment was perhaps when Tommy told them he wanted to quit high school and become a full-time musician.

Pamela Anderson, Vassiliki Papadimitiriou, Brandon Thomas Lee, Tommy Lee and David Lee Thomas Bass during Motley Crue Puts Hands in Cement in RockWalk at Guitar Center in Hollywood, California, on May 20, 1997 | Source: Getty Images

Tommy Lee’s Parents Loved Each Other and Were Together until Death Parted Them

The love that David and Papadimitriou shared made for a wholesome heartfelt story. Sadly, it ended in 2001 when Tommy’s father took his last breath. Although Tommy admitted that he had seen little of his parents since he was 17, Tommy was with his father in his final days and had a good time like in the old days.

David, who had actresses Heather Locklear and Pamela Anderson as his daughter-in-law at different points, told his son he was unafraid to die, saying, “I’ve got amazing kids. I’ve had an amazing life. I’m ready. I love your mother, and I loved my life.”

Papadimitriou was by her husband’s side till the end. He had become disabled, so she took care of him every day. The caring mother lived for another 11 years before she followed her husband on March 9, 2012.

After all the hard work David and Papadimitriou put in to see their son enjoy his passion, they saw him live out his dream career and become a rock star. Hence, when all had been said and done, they made the right calls, and it was all worth it in the end.

Tommy is incredibly proud of his parents. He occasionally shares photos of his father on his social media pages and speaks highly of him and his mother. The rock and roller is also proud to be part Greek, a sign of respect for Papadimitriou, his loving mother.

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