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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Zoe Delaney

Motley Crue guitarist Mick Mars retires from performing age 71 due to health challenges

Motley Crue founding guitarist Mick Mars has announced he will no longer tour with the band in 2023 due to health challenges.

The band, which has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide, released a statement announcing Mick will retire age 71.

Motley Crue, which consists of bassist Nikki Sixx, lead singer Vince Neil and drummer Tommy Lee, said: "While change is never easy, we accept Mick’s decision to retire from the band due to the challenges with his health.

"We have watched Mick manage his Ankylosing Spondylitis for decades and he has always managed it with utmost courage and grace.

"To say ‘enough is enough’ is the ultimate act of courage. Mick’s sound helped define Motley Crue from the minute he plugged in his guitar at our very first rehearsal together.

Mick Mars' reasons for retiring from performing were explained in the joint statement (Reuters)
The guitarist is a founding member of the Motley Crue (Redferns)

"The rest, as they say, is history. We’ll continue to honour his musical legacy."

The group said they will "carry out Mick’s wish" and continue to tour the world as planned in 2023.

"No doubt will it take an absolutely outstanding musician to fill Mick’s shoes so we are grateful that our good friend, John 5 has agreed to come on board and join us moving forward," the statement continued.

"We’ll see all you Crueheads out on the road," the band signed off.

The rest of the Motley Crue will continue to tour (FilmMagic)

John 5, real name John Lowery, said he is "honoured" to carry on Mars’ legacy and is "looking forward" to playing the band’s classic songs.

The American hard rock band, formed in 1981, are best known for tracks Home Sweet Home, Kickstart My Heart and Girls Girls Girls.

Mars, who has been part of every line-up of Motley Crue since their 1981 formation, was diagnosed with A.S. when he was 17 years old.

The guitarist has spoken candidly about his struggles with the disease, including in the band’s memoir The Dirt, and underwent hip surgery in 2004.

The Motley Crue drummer shares two sons with ex Pamela Anderson (FILE)

Motley Crue's tour saw rocker Tommy miss several sets during its initial run, due to Pamela Anderson's ex-husband breaking his ribs. Session drummer Tommy Clufetos held the forte for the star until he was able to return full-time.

Earlier this month, Motley Crue revealed that both they and Def Leppard would play stadiums in the UK and Ireland next May and July.

Motley Crue found a new lease of life on television at the start of this year, thanks to true story drama, Pam & Tommy premiering on Disney Plus.

Based on the lives of the Baywatch icon Pamela Anderson and Motley Crue rocker Tommy, Lily James and Sebastian Stan took on the titular characters for the eight-episode series.

The biographical drama focussed on Pam and Tommy's early days as a married couple and the leak of their infamous unauthorized sex tape - with recreated snippets from the tape shown on screen.

Executive producer Seth Rogen also starred as Rand Gauthier, the porn actor-turned-electrician who stole the celebrity sex tape which was recorded privately during the former couple's honeymoon.

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