Tommy Lee replaced after hand injury

TOMMY LEE's place behind the drums for Motley Crue has been put on hold while he recovers from a hand injury.

The drummer had to be replaced for three US gigs by Sevendust's Morgan Rose after he burned his hand "having fun".

Explaining his injury to an audience in Michigan, Lee, who still managed to perform by playing the piano with a bandaged hand, said: "I was having fun and I burned myself."

Motley Crue said they hoped to have him back behind the drum kit soon.

A statement said: "Tommy messed up his hand pretty bad. Yes, accidents do happen, and yes, frustration does happen to everybody, including Tommy, who would rather play drums (even with a damaged hand) than just about anything in the whole world.

"But following doctor's orders for a few shows is what we have to do right now (or cancel shows). We all wanna say we're sorry Tommy has to sit out a couple shows, but we hope to have him back up on the drums [soon].

"Until then, he is at all the shows, jumping around, helping out with vocals and playing piano ever so lightly on 'Home Sweet Home'."