Although Mötley Crüe recently announced that they were far from being over and would continue touring with Def Leppard next year, the classic lineup of Crüe will not be together on the stage in their upcoming shows. According to an exclusive statement published by Variety, the band’s lead guitarist Mick Mars is retiring from touring due to his ongoing health issues. Yet, he will remain a band member.
Crüe guitarist Mick Mars was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis at the age of 17. The disease caused the musician chronic pain and immobility, but it didn’t prevent him from pursuing his dreams of being a worldwide-known guitarist. Even though he managed to stay on the stage for years with his band, his ongoing health issue no longer allows it.
“Mick Mars, the co-founder and lead guitarist of the heavy metal band Mötley Crüe for the past 41 years” the recent statement read, “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.”
Even though the musician is retiring from touring with Mötley Crüe, he will remain a member. The statement continued, “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 announcement did not reveal who would replace Mick Mars as Mötley Crüe’s touring guitarist. However, rumors have been circulating for weeks that Rob Zombie guitarist John 5 could fill in for him. Crüe’s next stop in their Stadium Tour will be South America in February and March 2023. Then, the band will head toward Europe in the upcoming months.
