Journey legend Neal Schon has come out in support of Motley Crue’s Mick Mars.
Schon, who founded JOURNEY in 1972 and remains the band’s sole consistent member, having participated in every album and tour to date, weighed in on Mick‘s dispute with CRÜE on social media on Saturday (April 8).
Responding to a Twitter poll asking “Are you on #TeamMick [or] #TeamMotleyCrue”, Schon wrote “Mick” and added in a follow-up tweet:
“Given his health issues, and he obvious swagger, he gives to the band through his guitar playing. He didn’t deserve this.”
According to TMZ, MÖTLEY CRÜE guitarist Mick Mars has sued his bandmates, claiming they are ripping him off financially.
Mars, whose actual name is Robert Alan Deal, revealed in October that he was quitting touring with MOTLEY CRÜE because of his continuous, excruciating battle with Ankylosing spondylitis, a kind of arthritis that causes swelling in the joints and ligaments of the spine and can eventually cause rigidity.
But according to the 71-year-old’s lawsuit, which TMZ was able to get, he made it clear that while he could still record with the band or play in small doses, he couldn’t manage a full tour due to his illness.
Mick Mars has also revealed details about other band members using pre-recorded tapes.
Here’s what he said:
“Astonishingly, Sixx made these claims about Mars‘s playing while he [Sixx] did not play a single note on bass during the entire U.S. tour,” the lawsuit continues. “Ironically, 100% of Sixx‘s bass parts were nothing but recordings. Sixx was seen fist pumping in the air with his strumming hand, while the bass part was playing. In fact, a significant portion of [Vince] Neil‘s vocals were also pre-recorded. Even some of [Tommy] Lee‘s drum parts were recordings. Some fans actually noticed that Lee was walking toward his drum set as they heard his drum part begin.
He further talked about Vince Neil, saying:
“Conversely, other band members are often criticized online, particularly Neil, who is routinely torn to shreds for, among other things, not remembering the songs.”
Mick also repeatedly accused bassist Nikki Sixx of “gaslighting” him about his guitar skills diminishing, despite the fact that Sixx didn’t “play a single note on bass” during a recent tour, according to the guitarist. Mick claims all of Nikki‘s parts were pre-recorded.
Given his health issues, and he obvious swagger, he gives to the band through his guitar playing. He didn’t deserve this.
— NEAL SCHON MUSIC (@NealSchonMusic) April 8, 2023