Nikki Sixx recently backed Mötley Crüe’s decision to carry on with John 5 after parting ways with Mick Mars and doubled down on claims that Mars was having “memory problems” prior to retiring.
Nikki Sixx talks about Mick Mars
John 5 was initially brought in as a touring replacement after Mars announced in October 2022 that he was retiring from life on the road. Mars claimed that his near-lifelong struggle with ankylosing spondylitis had become too painful to bear. In April of the following year, Mars filed a lawsuit against his bandmates, alleging that they withheld business information regarding their various ventures, unilaterally removed him as an equal partner, gaslighted him over his memory and abilities, and pre-recorded significant parts of their 2022 comeback tour.
Mötley Crüe and their representatives denied all accusations, claiming he was unfit to perform and that his representatives were “taking advantage” of him.
Speaking to Classic Rock in a new interview, Nikki Sixx once again said Mick Mars had been having memory problems, which the guitarist vehemently denied earlier. The bassist said (via Guitar):
“It was becoming harder and harder and harder to get anything done with Mick because of his memory problems and just his physical ailments. And we have a lot of empathy for that.”
He added:
“When Mick left the band, we had to make a choice. And we made the right choice with John. We wish Mick nothing but the best.”
Speaking further on the decision to hire John 5, Sixx said:
“I run this band with an iron fist and nobody can get in and f**k with our band, legally, marketing-wise”, adding that Mötley Crüe had to make “a self-sufficient decision” on the way forward without Mars, which was, according to Sixx, “the right thing to do.” He added:
“But doing the right thing isn’t always f**king fun, [with] fans believing we did something we didn’t do.”
In January, Mars scored a win in his legal battle against his former bandmates when a judge ruled Mötley Crüe withheld information from the guitarist regarding their business activities. As per the ruling, the case was moved to private arbitration.
However, the guitarist seems to have nothing against John 5, saying earlier this year that his former bandmates have made “a very, very wise choice”:
“Well, I’ve never disliked John, I’ve always liked him and still do. He’s been a really good friend of mine for a long time. So I think they’ve made a very, very wise choice with John.”
Similarly, the younger guitarist seems to be in good terms with his predecessor, saying earlier this year that Mars had been one of the first people to congratulate him on the new job.