The rocker’s representative shared the news in a statement released to Variety, which reads: “Mick Mars, co-founder and lead guitarist of the heavy metal band Motley Crue 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 rigors of the road. A.S. is an extremely painful and crippling degenerative disease, which affects the spine.”
The 71-year-old Mars has struggled with Ankylosing Spondylitis since his late teens.
“While change is never easy, we accept Mick’s decision to retire from the band due to challenges with his health,” said Mars’ fellow Motley Crue members in a joint statement. “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 Motley Crue 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 honor 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 your Crueheads out on the road!”
“I’m honored to carry on Mick’s legacy,” added John 5, “and am looking forward to playing these songs.”
John 5 started his career as a studio musician in Los Angeles in the late-1980s before stints working with Lita Ford and KISS frontman Paul Stanley; he formed 2wo with Rob Halford in the late 1990s, and followed that by recording with David Lee Roth on his 1998 release, “DLR Band”; the guitarist went on to record and tour with Marilyn Manson before starting his current tenure with Rob Zombie in 2005.
Motley Crue and Def Leppard recently announced the first series of dates for a global 2023 stadium tour following the success of their 2022 trek across North America; shows are set to begin in Mexico City on February 18.
Get your copy of Motley Crue’s “Greatest Hits” here.
See also:
Motley Crue and Def Leppard announce 2023 world tour
Motley Crue share remastered Kickstart My Heart video
Motley Crue stream remastered Dr. Feelgood video
Motley Crue stream remastered Home Sweet Home video
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