1. Announcement Overview
| Date | Age | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 2022‑10‑26 | 71 | Mick Mars announces he will retire from touring due to ankylosing spondylitis. |
| 2022‑10‑27 | 71 | Motley Crüe confirms that Mars remains in the band; live duties to be handled by John 5. |
Born Robert Alan Deal on May 4, 1951, Mars disclosed that his decades-long battle with ankylosing spondylitis—a progressive, painful spinal disease—has reached a point where he can no longer endure the physical demands of touring at the age of 71. Although he remains an official member of Motley Crüe, the rigors of performance and extensive travel are no longer sustainable.
2. What Is Ankylosing Spondylitis (A.S.)?
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Onset | Mars experienced back pain beginning at age 14, with formal diagnosis at age 27. |
| Progression | Characterized by chronic spinal inflammation; over years, vertebrae fused, posture flattened, and height decreased by ~3 inches. |
| Physical impact | Developed severe stiffness—often unable to turn his head; required hip replacement surgery in 2004; persistent neck and spinal immobility. |
| Performance effects | Continued touring through extreme pain – described symptoms such as “fireworks in my bones” and a sensation “like a knife lodged in my back.” |
3. Band Response & Transition
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2022‑10‑27 | Motley Crüe issues statement acknowledging Mars’s decision and praising his decades-long management of A.S. |
| Early 2023 | Touring guitarist John 5, formerly of Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie, joins to cover live performances. |
| 2023‑02–07‑06 | Crüe and Def Leppard co-headline a world tour across Latin America and Europe. |
The band officially released a statement emphasizing that Mars had demonstrated immense courage in declaring “enough is enough.” John 5 joined in early 2023 to support the live shows, beginning with a co-headlining tour spanning Latin America and Europe from February 18 to July 6, 2023.
4. Timeline of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1951‑05‑04 | Robert Alan “Mick” Mars is born. |
| Teens | Experiences early symptoms of back pain; eventually diagnosed with A.S. |
| 2004 | Undergoes hip replacement surgery. |
| 2022‑10‑26 | Announces retirement from touring at age 71 due to A.S. |
| 2022‑10‑27 | Band confirms retirement; names John 5 as touring replacement. |
| 2023‑02–07‑06 | John 5 tours with Motley Crüe during joint tour with Def Leppard. |
| 2023‑04‑06 | Mars files lawsuit against Motley Crüe over profit and control disputes. |
| 2024‑02‑23 | Releases solo album The Other Side of Mars. |
From his early discomfort in adolescence to hip surgery in 2004, Mars’s condition progressively worsened over decades. At 71, the physical toll compelled him to step back from live touring on October 26, 2022. Shortly thereafter, the band announced John 5 as his live replacement, and the touring lineup remained active through mid‑2023. In April 2023, Mars initiated legal action, and in February 2024, unveiled his first solo LP.
5. Legal Conflict and Dispute (April 2023)
Allegations by Mick Mars
- Claims he was forcibly removed from key corporate roles and ownership stakes following his touring retirement.
- Alleges his profit share plummeted from 25 % to 5 %, then ultimately to 0 %, affecting both touring and merchandise revenue.
- Asserts he was the sole member playing entirely live on the last tour; others allegedly used backing tracks.
- The lawsuit requests access to comprehensive financial documentation and the restoration of contractual rights.
Opposition from Motley Crüe
- Bassist Nikki Sixx described the lawsuit as “a sad day for us,” expressing that the band had been “propping him up.”
- The band’s legal team argues that since live touring constitutes the band’s primary function, retiring from touring equates to voluntary resignation, thereby relinquishing related rights.
- Official statements deny attempts to exclude Mars, asserting that he was offered equitable compensation terms, which he declined.
6. Mars’s Solo Career & Creative Output
- On February 23, 2024, Mars released his debut solo album The Other Side of Mars, a 39-minute hard-rock/grunge collection produced by Michael Wagener.
- The first single, “Loyal to the Lie,” debuted on October 31, 2023.
- Despite retiring from touring, Mars’s creative drive remains robust in the studio and in non‑touring musical ventures.
7. Legacy and Influence
- Co‑founder of Motley Crüe in 1981, he crafted iconic guitar riffs across landmark albums such as Girls, Girls, Girls (1987) and Dr. Feelgood (1989).
- His contributions shaped the direction of hard rock and metal with distinctive blues-infused solos.
- Demonstrated remarkable resilience—continuing to perform and record extensively despite debilitating illness—securing his status as a rock legend.
FAQ
What is ankylosing spondylitis?
A chronic inflammatory arthritis of the spine that can cause vertebral fusion, severe pain, stiffness, and postural changes.
Why did Mick Mars retire from touring?
At age 71, the chronic pain and spinal immobility from ankylosing spondylitis made the demands of touring physically impossible.
Is he still a member of Motley Crüe?
Yes, Mars remains an active band member externally, though he no longer participates in live performances.
Who replaced him during live shows?
Guitarist John 5 assumed live performance duties starting in early 2023.
Did he file a lawsuit?
Yes; in April 2023 he sued Motley Crüe, alleging exclusion from profits, loss of ownership rights, and unilateral removal.
Has he released new music?
Yes; on February 23, 2024, Mars released his solo album The Other Side of Mars.
What is Mick Mars’s legacy?
As co-founder and lead guitarist of Motley Crüe, his iconic riffs helped define hard rock and metal, and he persevered through years of debilitating illness.
