Nikki Sixx recently opened up about Mick Mars’s departure from Mötley Crüe in an interview with Guitar World.
Mars announced his retirement in 2022, citing ongoing health issues. Shortly after, John 5 stepped in to replace him. Sixx explained, “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?”
After Mars’s retirement, tensions between him and the band escalated, leading to a lawsuit over unpaid royalties. The guitarist also claimed that the band pushed him to sell his remaining stake in Mötley Crüe and accused the group of miming their parts during their 2022 stadium tour.
“We really had to think about it, bro,” the bassist said of the allegations. “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.”
Though Mars left the touring scene, he quickly shifted focus to his solo work, releasing his debut album, ‘The Other Side of Mars,’ earlier this year. Meanwhile, Mötley Crüe, with John 5, worked on their own music, releasing a three-song EP titled ‘Cancelled.’
The new record featured a title track, a single named ‘Dogs of War,’ and a cover of the Beastie Boys’ ‘Fight for Your Right.’ It was well-received by fans.