Nikki Sixx has responded to fan questions about his role in Mötley Crüe’s history, addressing recent claims about the band’s early work. He posted on X to set the record straight.
A fan asked whether Sixx actually played bass on the album Theatre of Pain. Sixx used the moment to discuss the impact of statements made by former guitarist Mick Mars.
Question: “Will you tell the truth about playing bass on ‘Theater of Pain’?”
“I’ve played bass on every album Mötley Crüe has ever recorded and written the lion’s share of our music over the years,” Sixx said. “When Mick made statements about the band that we believe were untrue, in an attempt to gain leverage in a lawsuit he ultimately lost, it created a lot of confusion and fueled some negative perceptions of the band.”
“The saddest part is that we genuinely loved Mick. During his struggles with addiction, I personally did everything I could to help him and, at times, save his life. We shared decades of music, memories, and brotherhood. That history means something to us.”
“What hurts the most isn’t the lawsuit or the headlines. It’s the feeling that someone we considered a brother turned his back on us and, in the process, misled the fans who supported all of us for so many years.”
Sixx made these comments while responding to public discussion about Mötley Crüe’s past and the recent legal dispute with Mars. The bassist’s words highlighted the emotional toll the situation has taken on the band.
The conflict between Sixx and Mars began in October 2022 when Mars announced his retirement from touring due to health issues related to ankylosing spondylitis, a painful and degenerative spinal disease. Six months later, Mars filed a lawsuit against the band in Los Angeles Superior Court, claiming that after his retirement announcement, the Crüe attempted to oust him as a significant stakeholder in the band’s corporate and financial holdings.
During the legal battle, Mars made strong allegations against his bandmates. He claimed that he was the only member performing fully live during Mötley Crüe’s 2022 Stadium Tour and accused Sixx of using a prerecorded track during performances. Mars alleged in his lawsuit that Sixx “did not play a single note on bass during the entire U.S. tour.”
An independent arbitrator ruled against every claim Mars had made against the band. The arbitration award, issued by the Honorable Patrick Walsh (Ret.), confirmed that Mars forfeited any right to touring income upon his decision to stop performing, as stipulated in the band’s governing agreement of 2008, and ordered him to repay more than US$750,000 in unrecouped tour advances. During sworn testimony, Mars was forced to admit that his statements regarding the use of backing tapes were false. His own expert, a New York University professor specializing in music technology, confirmed that the band performed live, and Mars formally recanted his prior claims.
