Nikki Sixx recently addressed fan speculation about Mick Mars rejoining Mötley Crüe for an upcoming tour. He shared his perspective on X (formerly Twitter).
A fan had expressed their desire to see Mars return for the shows. Sixx’s response highlighted the health considerations that led to Mars’ retirement from touring.
“Remember, Mick retired because his health couldn’t handle life on the road,” Sixx said. “We all understand that, so why would you want to put him through it again?”
The comment underscores the band’s respect for Mars’ decision to step back from touring. It emphasizes that his retirement was driven by health concerns rather than other factors. This response provides insight into the band’s current stance on potential lineup changes for their tour plans.
Mars’ retirement from touring was not a sudden decision. Rather, it was the culmination of decades-long health challenges. The founding guitarist announced his retirement from touring with Mötley Crüe in October 2022 after 41 years as a member of the band, according to The Bob Rocks.
The primary reason behind Mars’ decision was his lifelong battle with Ankylosing Spondylitis (A.S.), a chronic inflammatory form of arthritis that affects the spine. Per Wikipedia, Mars had been managing this extremely painful and crippling degenerative disease since he was 17 years old. The condition progressively affects mobility and spinal function, making the physical demands of touring increasingly impossible to manage.
Over the years, the disease’s impact on Mars’ body became severe. He underwent hip-replacement surgery in 2004. Eventually, he could no longer move his head from side to side and became permanently hunched over. These physical limitations made it impossible for him to handle the rigors of world tours, which require extensive travel and physical endurance.
Mars clarified that he was retiring from touring only, not from the band entirely. As noted in Loudwire, Mars expressed openness to recording new music or performing at residencies that didn’t require extensive travel. His bandmates—Vince Neil, Nikki Sixx, and Tommy Lee—released a statement expressing their support. They acknowledged his courageous management of the disease over decades.
Following Mars’ retirement announcement, guitarist John 5 was brought in as his replacement for touring duties. Metal Wani reported that John 5 confirmed Mars was supportive of the decision, stating: “I know Mick well and he was very supportive and really happy I was there.” This transition allowed the band to continue touring while respecting Mars’ health limitations.
