Nikki Sixx recently shared insights regarding Mick Mars’s departure from Mötley Crüe in an interview with Guitar World. Mars announced his retirement in 2022 due to ongoing health issues, leading to John 5 stepping in as his replacement.
Sixx explained the difficult position the band found themselves in, stating, “Listen, we were forced. Guy’s gotta choose: you want to break up? Do you want to f*ck over Live Nation? You want to screw Def Leppard? All those tickets, all that planning that we’d done because one of your band members is too ill to perform live?”
Following Mars’s retirement, tensions escalated between him and the band, culminating in a lawsuit over unpaid royalties. Mars also alleged that the band pressured him to sell his remaining stake in Mötley Crüe and accused them of miming their performances during the 2022 stadium tour.
Sixx reflected on the gravity of the situation, saying, “We really had to think about it, bro. Like, do you think we wanted to take the grief we took, and end up in a lawsuit? But what were we supposed to do? Go home and f*cking mow the lawn? It’s like your f*cking football team; if one of your guys can’t play anymore, they bring in another guy.”
While Mars stepped back from touring, he quickly redirected his focus to solo endeavors, releasing his debut album, The Other Side of Mars, earlier this year. Meanwhile, Mötley Crüe, with John 5, has also been active, releasing a three-song EP titled Cancelled.
This new record features a title track, a single called “Dogs of War,” and a cover of the Beastie Boys’ “Fight for Your Right,” all of which have been well-received by fans.
