Mötley Crüe guitarist Mick Mars steps down from touring

Mötley Crüe guitarist Mick Mars has announced his official retirement from performing live with the band. A statement provided by Mars’ representatives to Variety confirms long-running rumors that the founding guitarist of the band was considering whether he could continue to tour. He has now decided he can no longer go on the road, but he will continue to be an official member of Mötley Crüe.

“Mick Mars, co-founder and lead guitarist of the heavy metal band Mötley Crüe for the past 41 years, has announced today that due to his ongoing painful struggle with Ankylosing Spondylitis, he will no longer be able to tour with the band.

“Mick will continue as a member of the band, but can no longer handle the rigors of the road.

“A.S. is an extremely painful and crippling degenerative disease, which affects the spine.”

John 5, the former guitarist of Rob Zombie has been said to be the new live guitarist of Mötley Crüe but the band has not yet confirmed those rumors.