Mötley Crüe Pushes Back On Guitarist Mick Mars’ Lawsuit

On Thursday, Mick Mars, lead guitarist of the heavy metal band Mötley Crüe, filed legal papers in Los Angeles County’s Superior Court alleging that the band tried to fire him and cut him out from a number of business deals after he announced his retirement from touring last year.

Bassist Nikki Sixx responded to the claims on Twitter, suggesting that Mars was being manipulated by his lawyers.

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Mars suffers from Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), a chronic form of arthritis that inhibits the flexibility of the spine and pelvis. Due to his worsening condition, he announced that he would stop touring with the band but would be open for recordings or residencies that didn’t require extensive travel.

In his lawsuit, Mars asserted that his bandmates tried to force him out of the group and cut his 25 percent share of touring and merchandise profits. This legal action would require the other band members to share financial and business documentation.

The band’s lawyer, Sahsa Frid, said in a statement that non-touring band members can’t be paid according to their contract.

The band and several members of their crew also put out multiple signed declarations that Mars struggled to remember the correct chords and made a number of mistakes while on tour. It remains unclear whether these claims would be used in the upcoming arbitration.