Nikki Sixx, bassist and co-founder of Mötley Crüe, recently opened up about his emotional response to a very personal reminder of his past—a tattoo of former bandmate Mick Mars. The comments surfaced during a candid Facebook exchange with fans, and Sixx didn’t hold back when asked if he regrets the ink.
“I was his biggest fan, saved his life, and then he betrayed us and the fans,” Sixx wrote. “So yes, it’s not easy to see.”
The tattoo, located on Sixx’s thigh, has become a bittersweet symbol following the fractured relationship between Sixx and Mars, especially after the guitarist’s departure from the band.
A Fan Asks, Sixx Answers: “Snarky Comments Only”
The conversation started innocently enough. Nikki Sixx posted a photo with the caption “Snarky comments only,” inviting fans to join in the fun. But one fan took a more serious route, asking:
“Do you regret that Mick Mars tattoo on your thigh?”
Rather than brushing it off or giving a sarcastic reply, Sixx gave a raw and honest answer, addressing the deep-seated hurt and sense of betrayal he feels toward his former bandmate.
This wasn’t the first time Sixx has spoken about the breakdown of his relationship with Mars, but it was among the most personal reflections yet.
A Fractured Brotherhood: What Went Wrong?
The fallout between Sixx and Mick Mars—Mötley Crüe’s long-serving guitarist—began in earnest after Mars announced his retirement from touring in 2022. While fans initially believed it was a mutual and respectful decision, things quickly turned sour.
In early 2025, Mars filed a lawsuit against Mötley Crüe, claiming that the band was pushing him out and denying him rightful earnings. In response, Sixx and the rest of the band alleged that Mars had been struggling to keep up during live performances due to his long-standing health issues, including ankylosing spondylitis, a painful spinal condition.
Sixx told Loudwire at the time that Mars was “a little bit confused” and suggested he was being “misled by his representatives.” What was once a 40-year partnership had devolved into a public legal and emotional battle.
Enter John 5: A New Era for the Band
Following Mars’ retirement from touring, Mötley Crüe brought in guitarist John 5—longtime friend of the band and former Rob Zombie collaborator—to handle live performances.
Sixx emphasized that the decision wasn’t meant as a slight against Mars, but rather a necessary evolution for the band’s live shows.
“Working with John 5 has inspired more energetic performances,” Sixx said in an interview with American Songwriter.
“He’s a natural fit and has brought fresh energy to the band.”
Despite that praise, the shadow of the past still lingers—especially when it’s literally inked onto your body.
Tattoos and Time: When Permanent Reminders Turn Painful
It’s not uncommon for musicians to tattoo symbols of their bandmates or career milestones, but few expect those symbols to become sources of pain later in life.
For Sixx, the Mick Mars tattoo once represented admiration, loyalty, and decades of shared success. Now, it reflects a relationship gone cold and a chapter of his life marked by legal disputes and emotional disconnect.
Fans responded to his comment with mixed emotions:
- “That’s so sad to hear, Nikki. You guys were like brothers,” one fan wrote.
- Another added, “The tattoo might hurt now, but it’s still part of your story. You honored him when it mattered.”
Mötley Crüe is one of the most iconic rock bands of all time, with a legacy spanning four decades, multiple platinum albums, and a lifestyle that defined excess. Sixx and Mars were more than just colleagues—they were co-creators of a musical movement.
Their recent falling out doesn’t erase the bond they once shared. But as Sixx made clear in his Facebook comment, time, betrayal, and business have made that history harder to revisit.
Final Thoughts: “Not Easy to See”
Nikki Sixx’s reflection on his Mick Mars tattoo isn’t just about ink on skin—it’s about loyalty, heartbreak, and the inevitable changes that come with age, success, and conflict.
While fans continue to hope for reconciliation between the two rock legends, Sixx’s words suggest that the wound is still fresh—and healing isn’t guaranteed.
“It’s not easy to see,” he said—and perhaps, for now, that’s the only truth that matters.
