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Mick Mars is Done But Not Done Completely – Screamin’ Scott

Author Screamin' Scott

There is some news we figured was coming soon and now it’s confirmed. According to “Variety,”  guitarist and founding member Mick Mars will no longer tour with the band, although he will continue as a member.

The full statement reads:

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 (A.S.), 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.

Rob Zombie guitarist John 5 will take his place. Mick Mars to me has always been one of the ’80s’ most underrated guitar players. Sure, he doesn’t run across the stage and slide on his knees. Maybe because Nikki Sixx lit them on fire too many times in the early days. His leads are instantly remembered, and I love his slide guitar work. Like many guitar players, he has undergone hip surgeries and struggles from A.S. to a crippling spine disease. I remember one of the reunions, they had to go get Mick out of his house to get his health up to doing a tour. Mick has always been the good one for the most part staying out of the tabloids and sex scandals and bad press. So this might be a blessing in disguise. Maybe Motley has another album or two left in the gas tank. What I hope for is a long-awaited Mick Mars solo record we have waited years.

John 5 Officially Named Touring Guitarist for Motley Crue

5 Guitarists We'd Like to See Fill in for Mick Mars on Tour with Motley Crue

Motley Crue announced yesterday (October 26) that guitarist Mick Mars is retiring from touring, due to Mars’ struggles with Ankylosing Spondylitis (A.S.), a degenerative disease that affects the spine. However, the band says despite Mars no longer touring, he’s still very much a member of Motley Crue

With this void in the Crue’s touring lineup and a world tour with Def Leppard set for 2023, this got us thinking about who should fill it. Here are just five guitarists we think should be considered for the job.

  • John 5

    John 5 seems to be the heavy favorite and the heavily rumored guitarist to fill in for Mars when the Crue hits the road again. His credentials are outstanding having played for the likes of David Lee Roth, Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie. John 5 was also spotted in the photos and video Tommy Lee shared from his destination 60th birthday bash, which was also attended by Nikki Sixx and Vince Neil, so one would assume he has a good rapport with the band already.

     

  • Richie Sambora

    This one might be out of leftfield, but hear us out. Sambora is a brilliant and often underrated guitarist, much like Mars himself. He’s more than capable of handling the Crue’s massive riffs and could really be an asset with providing backing vocals. Plus, the idea of having two of Heather Locklear’s ex-husbands in a band together is just pretty funny.

     

  • Nita Strauss

    Strauss is an incredibly gifted guitarist who already knows how to hang with rock legends. Alice Cooper doesn’t just hire anyone to be in his backing band on tour; The Godfather of Shock Rock has high standards. If Strauss has Cooper’s approval, she could definitely play with the Crue. Even though she left Cooper’s band to be the touring guitarist for Demi Lovato, the pop singer’s current tour is wrapping up in November, so Strauss should be available.

  • Izzy Stradlin

    If you thought Sambora was out of leftfield, the thought of Izzy Stradlin filling in for Mick Mars is basically out of the parking lot of the baseball stadium. (Forgive us for trying to have a little fun.) There’s honestly no way Stradlin would actually fill in for Mars, especially considering he’s not fond of the spotlight at all and likes to keep a very low profile. Also, there’s that whole matter of Vince Neil punching Stradlin backstage at the 1989 VMAs. However, Stradlin is undoubtedly brilliant, and, like Sambora, he would be a valuable asset when it comes to backing vocals.

  • Kiki Wongo

    If you’re not familiar with Kiki Wongo, allow this to be an introduction to one badass shredder. Wongo has a handful of credits including backing Taylor Swift at the 2014 VMAs and Bret Michaels in an ad campaign for Nissan. Wongo has racked up over 1.3 million followers on TikTok due in large part to her impressive clips tearing up some heavy tunes, like Megadeth’s “Tornado of Souls” as seen below.

    @kikiwongo

    Tornado of Souls by @Megadeth 🤘🏼 What song do you want to hear next? 🎸 #guitar #guitartok #guitarcover

    ♬ original sound - Kiki: Daily Metal Guitar Riffs

     

Born in Mt Clemens, Screamin has been a part of the Detroit airwaves for over 29 years with 26 at WRIF and 3 years as a morning show host at Z-Rock. When he’s not out on the streets, you can find him in his game room, where he collects jukeboxes and classic pinball machines. Screamin also devotes time doing local charities with his, "Screamin Angels"; and for 15 years with Rock 4 Tots charity. “CHIT” is his local cover band for 10 years all over the Motor City in local bars and has graced the main stage at local festivals like Arts, Beats & Eats warming up for national acts like Cheap Trick, Guess Who & even Salt & Peppa. Screamin’ is the lead singer and also plays cowbell & lead triangle

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Author Screamin' Scott
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