Mötley Crüe co-founding member Mick Mars has announced that he will no longer be touring with the band.
Though he will still remain a member, the guitarist cited the progression of his degenerative condition, Ankylosing Spondylitis — a rare form of arthritis — having rendered him no longer able to continue living life on the road.
UPDATE (10/27 4:34 p.m. ET): Mötley Crüe have released an official statement on Mars's retirement and touring replacement.
While change is never easy, we accept Mick's decision to retire from the band due to the challenges with his health. We have watched Mick manage his Ankylosing Spondylitis for decades and he has always managed it with utmost courage and grace.
To say "enough is enough" is the ultimate act of courage. Mick's sound helped define Mötley Crüe from the minute he plugged in his guitar at our very first rehearsal together. The rest, as they say, is history. We'll continue to honour his musical legacy.
We will carry out Mick's wish and continue to tour the world as planned in 2023. No doubt will it take an absolutely outstanding musician to fill Mick's shoes so we are grateful that our good friend, John 5 has agreed to come on board and join us moving forward. We'll see all you Crüeheads out on the road!
Vince, Tommy & Nikki
Former Rob Zombie guitarist John 5 added, "I'm honoured to carry on Mick's legacy and am looking forward to playing these songs."
Yesterday (October 26), Mars shared the news exclusively with Variety, offering the following statement:
Mick Mars, co-founder and lead guitarist of the heavy metal band Mötley Crüe for the past 41 years, has announced today that due to his ongoing painful struggle with Ankylosing Spondylitis (A.S.), he will no longer be able to tour with the band. Mick will continue as a member of the band, but can no longer handle the rigours of the road. A.S. is an extremely painful and crippling degenerative disease, which affects the spine.
A replacement for Mars as the Crüe's touring guitarist has yet to be confirmed, but rumours have been circulating that former Rob Zombie guitarist John 5, having recently stopped touring with Zombie, may be the one to fill in.
Mötley Crüe recently wrapped an extensive co-headlining North American tour with Def Leppard, rescheduled from 2020. The two bands also just announced another leg of the double-header, which is set to take them across Europe and Latin America from February through July of 2023.
While on tour, Tommy Lee was kickstarting hearts with NSFW selfies posted amid benders and has since launched an OnlyFans for a modest $40 per month.
Though he will still remain a member, the guitarist cited the progression of his degenerative condition, Ankylosing Spondylitis — a rare form of arthritis — having rendered him no longer able to continue living life on the road.
UPDATE (10/27 4:34 p.m. ET): Mötley Crüe have released an official statement on Mars's retirement and touring replacement.
While change is never easy, we accept Mick's decision to retire from the band due to the challenges with his health. We have watched Mick manage his Ankylosing Spondylitis for decades and he has always managed it with utmost courage and grace.
To say "enough is enough" is the ultimate act of courage. Mick's sound helped define Mötley Crüe from the minute he plugged in his guitar at our very first rehearsal together. The rest, as they say, is history. We'll continue to honour his musical legacy.
We will carry out Mick's wish and continue to tour the world as planned in 2023. No doubt will it take an absolutely outstanding musician to fill Mick's shoes so we are grateful that our good friend, John 5 has agreed to come on board and join us moving forward. We'll see all you Crüeheads out on the road!
Vince, Tommy & Nikki
Former Rob Zombie guitarist John 5 added, "I'm honoured to carry on Mick's legacy and am looking forward to playing these songs."
Yesterday (October 26), Mars shared the news exclusively with Variety, offering the following statement:
Mick Mars, co-founder and lead guitarist of the heavy metal band Mötley Crüe for the past 41 years, has announced today that due to his ongoing painful struggle with Ankylosing Spondylitis (A.S.), he will no longer be able to tour with the band. Mick will continue as a member of the band, but can no longer handle the rigours of the road. A.S. is an extremely painful and crippling degenerative disease, which affects the spine.
A replacement for Mars as the Crüe's touring guitarist has yet to be confirmed, but rumours have been circulating that former Rob Zombie guitarist John 5, having recently stopped touring with Zombie, may be the one to fill in.
Mötley Crüe recently wrapped an extensive co-headlining North American tour with Def Leppard, rescheduled from 2020. The two bands also just announced another leg of the double-header, which is set to take them across Europe and Latin America from February through July of 2023.
While on tour, Tommy Lee was kickstarting hearts with NSFW selfies posted amid benders and has since launched an OnlyFans for a modest $40 per month.
