As announced a few days ago, Mick Mars has retired from Motley Crue.

In a new interview with Michael’s Record Collection, legendary drummer Carmine Appice touched on Mick Mars’ retirement topic.

He said:

“We [in VANILLA FUDGE] don’t do big tours anymore ’cause nobody wants to do a big tour anymore.”

“Nobody wants to sit in a bus. We wanna go out, do three dates in close ratio, split a van and we fly to the gig, 150 miles, 200 miles, we’re in there for three or four hours and we do the gig. And we go to a hotel and do it the next day. And then third day, fourth day, we go home. Then two weekends later we do the same thing.

Carmine continued:

“I’m friends with IRON MAIDEN, with Nicko [McBrain, MAIDEN drummer]. He left his house in Florida in April. He’s coming home next week. He’s been on tour the whole time, rehearsing and on tour. We’re too old for that.

“I talked to [guitarist] Mick Mars, who’s been touring with MÖTLEY CRÜE. He just gave up his seat in touring with MÖTLEY CRÜE. And John 5 is gonna tour with them. He said, ‘Man, we did our final tour [seven years ago]. Now we’re out again doing this major tour with DEF LEPPARD.’ And he said, ‘I don’t wanna do it no more. I’m sick of being in a bus.’ He said he’s gonna do a solo album and go out and do some gigs.

“I said, ‘Look, if you need anyone to play drums, I’ll play with you.’ He goes, ‘That would be great.’ So maybe I’ll do some gigs with him. But it’s not gonna be big tours. It’ll be a weekend maybe somewhere and then go home. Two weekends later maybe a weekend and go home.”

John 5 entry to the CRUE was made official by the band in a new statement, saying:

“While change is never easy, we accept Mick‘s decision to retire from the band due to the challenges with his health. We have watched Mick manage his Ankylosing Spondylitis for decades and he has always managed it with utmost courage and grace.”

“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 togther. The rest, as they say, is history. We’ll continue to honor his musical legacy.

“We will carry out Mick‘s wish and continue to tour the world as planned in 2023. No doubt will it take an absolutely outstanding musician to fill Mick‘s shoes so we are grateful that our good friend, John 5 has agreed to come on board and join us moving forward. We’ll see all you Crüeheads out on the road!”