John 5 (right) will take Mars' place on upcoming tours with Mötley Crüe.  Photo courtesy NME .

Iconic guitarist, Mick Mars, retired from touring with the infamous glam metal band, Mötley Crüe, and leaves John 5 to fill his shoes. Mars has been the Crüe's guitarist for 41 years and has had an ongoing fight against Ankylosing Spondylitis throughout decades of rocking. Ankylosing Spondylitis is a type or arthritis that causes inflammation in the joints and could eventually lead to stiffness in the joints. The disease eventually became too much for Mars to handle. Though it's hard to hear, fans of the Crüe knew this day would come.   

The pain of Mars’ disease was close to unbearable, for he claimed the pain was similar to someone igniting fireworks into his bones. Mars has fought the struggles of the rare disease with courage and grace throughout the years and has still managed to play the most killer riffs in Glam Metal history. Mars is still part of Mötley Crüe but will no longer be touring with the rest of the band.

In place of Mars, will be guitarist John 5. John 5 has played for David Lee Roth, Marilyn Manson, and Rob Zombie in previous years. It’s safe to say that the band is in good hands but will defintely not sound half as excellent without Mars. Mick Mars is the heart of Mötley Crüe. Sure Vince Neil can put on a show and scream your ear off and sure Tommy Lee’s personality will charm fans to shreds, but these rockers would be nothing without Mars’ guitar playing to hold them together.   

“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,” said Vince Neil, Tommy Lee, and Nikki Sixx in a joint statement,  “The rest, as they say, is history. We’ll continue to honor his musical legacy.”

The band will continue to do their world tour in 2023 with John 5 beside them which fulfills Mars' wish for the band to continue on with their world tour.