For over four decades, since the band’s inception, guitarist Mick Mars shredded on stage and in the studio for Mötley Crüe. While he might not have had the same mega-star persona of Vince Neil, Tommy Lee, or Nikki Sixx, no one can deny that the rock ‘n’ roll outfit would sound different without his unique riffs and special crunchy guitar tone. In 2022, a rep for Mars told Variety that he would step away from the rigors of the road due to his medical condition of ankylosing spondylitis. However, in the Crüe’s statement about Mars, they suggested he was retiring from the band altogether.
Something didn’t seem right here, and it was unsurprising when news broke of Mick Mars’ lawsuit against Mötley Crüe. He claimed he was being forced out of the band and that he was the only member who played all their parts live, while the band’s lawyers claimed he effectively quit altogether when he retired from touring and that it was Mars who struggled to perform.
Speaking to Rolling Stone in 2023, Mars stated that he had no relationship with any of the other members outside of band business for decades; however, he refused to let them tarnish his legacy. “When they wanted to get high and f*** everything up, I covered for them,” he said. “Now they’re trying to take my legacy away, my part of Mötley Crüe, my ownership of the name, the brand.”
