Mötley Crüe guitarist Mick Mars is giving up touring because of ill health, the band has announced. The 71-year-old star has been living with a painful spinal condition since he was a teenager.
Mars, real name Robert Alan Deal, co-founded the heavy metal band with bassist Nikki Sixx, lead singer Vince Neil and drummer Tommy Lee in Los Angeles in 1981. They have sold more than 100 million albums worldwide.
He was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, a painful and degenerative disease that affects the spine and other bones and joints, in his late teens. In 2004, he underwent hip replacement surgery.
He played his final show with Mötley Crüe on September 9 at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. It was part of the notoriously hard-living band's tour alongside Poison, Def Leppard and Joan Jett.
A band statement said: “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.”
The group added that they will “carry out Mick’s wish” and continue to tour the world as planned in 2023, with his place on stage taken by John 5, who has previously played with Marilyn Manson and David Lee Roth. Mars will remain a member of the band for recording purposes.
“It will 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," the band said. “We’ll see all you Crueheads out on the road."
Mötley Crüe are best known for tracks Home Sweet Home, Kickstart My Heart and Girls Girls Girls. In 2001, they released their biography The Dirt: Confessions of the World's Most Notorious rock Band, which was turned into a Netflix docudrama n 2019.
For more stories from where you live, visit InYourArea.
Find recommendations for eating out, attractions and events near you here on our sister website 2Chill
Find recommendations for dog owners and more doggy stories on our sister site Teamdogs
