Former Mötley Crüe guitarist Mick Mars recently shared a birthday message for John 5, who replaced him in the band, creating confusion among fans as reported by Axis.
Mars posted the message on his X account. It appeared to be a simple birthday greeting, though fans quickly noticed something was off about the timing.
“John 5, Happy Birthday. Hope you have a great one,” Mars said.
The post generated mixed reactions from Mötley Crüe fans. Some appreciated the gesture while others pointed out an apparent error. One fan commented positively about Mars’ approach, while another noted that John 5’s actual birthday falls in July, not December.
Some fans speculated that the message was intentionally posted as a joke. They suggested Mars deliberately tagged the wrong John 5 account on the social media platform. A Crüe fan said, “It’s a joke, dummies. Mick deliberately sent this to a dummy account.”
This unusual social media interaction comes amid ongoing tensions between Mars and his former bandmates following his departure from touring duties.
AOL reported that Mars retired from touring in 2022 due to his ongoing struggle with Ankylosing spondylitis, a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the spine. The health issues that forced his retirement have contributed to strained relationships within the band, as Mars has publicly expressed frustration with how his departure was handled.
The situation became more complicated when AOL revealed that Mars also accused Mötley Crüe of onstage fakery. Fans continued to perpetuate these accusations online. These claims became so intense that John 5 was forced to address them publicly, defending the band’s live performances and his role as Mars’ replacement.
John 5, whose real name is John William Lowery, officially joined Mötley Crüe as their touring guitarist after Mars stepped down. The transition has not been without controversy, as some longtime fans have struggled to accept the lineup change. Louder Sound noted that John 5 has expressed deep respect for Mars, stating his admiration for the guitarist he replaced.
The birthday message incident highlights the complex dynamics between Mars and the band he helped establish decades ago. Whether the mistimed greeting was intentional humor or a genuine error, it has certainly captured the attention of Mötley Crüe’s fanbase. It added another chapter to the ongoing saga surrounding Mars’ departure from active touring.
