“We really had to think about it” – Nikki Sixx unveils new details about the band parting ways with Mick Mars

Further explanation of Motley Crue‘s decision to break up with founding guitarist Mick Mars has been provided by Nikki Sixx. The band made the announcement that Mars was leaving the Crue in October 2022. The decision was made in an amicable manner at the time; Mars would continue to work behind the scenes but would no longer be touring because of his continuous fight with ankylosing spondylitis. However, Mars filed a lawsuit, alleging that he was ejected from the band, soon after John 5 was revealed as his successor. Sixx claims that the situation forced Motley Crue to make the adjustment rather than a specific person pushing for Mars’ termination.

Listen, we were forced. Guy’s gotta choose: you want to break up? Do you want to fuck 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? We really had to think about it. 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 fucking mow the lawn? It’s like your fucking football team; if one of your guys can’t play anymore, they bring in another guy. We’re still here, and we are still creative. We’re able to tour – and not tour to the point in the old days where you break the spirit of the human beings. We get to go out, play some badass shows, reinvent the band here or there, and really enjoy this time. Nikki Sixx