In a recent interview with Riff X’s Metal XS, Mick Mars delved into the complex series of events that led to his exit from Mötley Crüe, framing it as something that was bound to happen eventually.
Mars candidly spoke about the legal disagreements that surfaced after he declared his retirement from touring due to health concerns. He remarked:
“It’s not something that upsets me. These things occur naturally in bands. It’s just part of the process.”
Regarding his ongoing connection with Mötley Crüe, Mars shared:
“My stepping back doesn’t mark the end of my time with the band. I’ve always been open to participating in new music, limited tours, or special shows. My health condition, ankylosing spondylitis, has made the rigors of touring especially challenging as I’ve gotten older. So, I had to adjust my involvement accordingly.”
The lawsuit Mars initiated in Los Angeles County Superior Court came after he announced he would no longer be touring. He alleged that his bandmates sought to diminish his role and rights within the group’s corporate structure following his decision. This legal action followed a contentious shareholders’ meeting, signaling a rift within the band.
This internal conflict can be traced back to Mars’ 2022 announcement that he would retire from touring due to his deteriorating health condition, though he remained willing to contribute to Mötley Crüe in other capacities.
The legal battle intensified when Mars accused bandmate Nikki Sixx of dishonesty and the band’s management of misconstruing his retirement as leaving the band. A significant moment in this dispute came in January 2024, when a judge ruled in Mars’ favor, requiring the band to provide him with documents he had requested.
Despite this legal win, Mars sees no path back to amicability with his former bandmates, considering any reconciliation to be ‘impossible.’ Meanwhile, Mars is not dwelling on the past; following the release of his solo effort ‘The Other Side Of Mars,’ he’s already exploring new musical avenues for his next project, indicating a fresh creative chapter.
