John 5 Denies Rift With Mick Mars, Shares What Really Happened After Joining Mötley Crüe

When John 5 stepped into Mick Mars’ legendary shoes as Mötley Crüe’s guitarist, rumors quickly spread about possible friction between the two musicians. In a new interview on Beyond The Fame With Jason Fraley, John 5 finally addressed those claims and set the record straight. According to him, there was no bitterness — only mutual respect and admiration.

He explained that Mars had formally retired after more than four decades with the band, and that the handoff was made with goodwill. “I love Mick Mars and he retired and luckily they asked me to fill in,” John 5 shared. “I know Mick well, and he was very supportive and really happy I was there.” His words painted a picture not of rivalry, but of continuity between two skilled guitarists with a shared love for the Crüe legacy.

John 5 made it clear that this wasn’t a cold business transaction but a transition among friends. Having been close to the band for years, he spent countless hours backstage at their shows, often chatting with Mars before performances. That history, he said, helped make his new role feel natural rather than forced.

Mick Mars’ Legacy and Health Battles

Mick Mars’ retirement came as a tough but necessary decision. The veteran guitarist has long battled Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the spine and pelvis. According to Wikipedia, this lifelong condition had made touring increasingly difficult for Mars, forcing him to prioritize his health after decades of relentless performing.

For over forty years, Mars provided the dark, heavy guitar tone that defined Mötley Crüe’s signature sound. His work on albums like Shout at the Devil and Dr. Feelgood cemented his reputation as one of the most distinctive players in hard rock. Stepping away wasn’t an act of defeat—it was an acknowledgment of a body pushed beyond its limits after a lifetime on stage.

Despite the physical challenges, Mars’ influence remains deeply embedded in every Crüe riff. John 5 has made it a point to honor his predecessor’s contributions, performing Mars’ solos with precision and respect. It’s a testament to the band’s enduring legacy, even as its lineup evolves.

How John 5 Found His Groove in Mötley Crüe

When John 5 officially joined Mötley Crüe in late 2022, the transition was almost seamless. Having long admired the group, he already knew their catalog inside out. As Metal Wani noted, his familiarity with the band’s material helped him blend right in, adding his own energy while staying true to the Crüe’s signature sound.

Before joining, John 5 had already established himself as one of rock’s most versatile guitarists, known for his work with Rob Zombie, David Lee Roth, and Marilyn Manson. His technical ability and stage presence fit perfectly into the Crüe’s explosive live shows. Audiences quickly embraced him, seeing his arrival not as a replacement but as a continuation of the band’s fiery spirit.

Even as he takes center stage, John 5 emphasizes that his goal isn’t to reinvent the wheel. “I just want to do Mick justice,” he’s said in multiple interviews. Every solo and riff he plays on tour carries a sense of tribute—proof that this new chapter in Mötley Crüe’s story still honors its past.

Controversy, Lawsuits, and Loyalty

Of course, not every fan has accepted the transition without debate. In 2023, Mick Mars filed a lawsuit against Mötley Crüe, claiming the band attempted to push him aside and reduce his share of the group’s profits. The legal dispute added fuel to public speculation about internal rifts, even though John 5 has never been implicated or criticized by Mars directly.

Bassist Nikki Sixx has defended the band’s decision to continue touring with John 5, describing it as both practical and respectful. “If one of your guys can’t play anymore, they bring in another guy,” Sixx told Metal Injection, emphasizing that the move was about keeping the band alive for the fans. It was, he said, “the right thing to do.”

Through it all, John 5 has maintained a tone of humility and gratitude. He continues to express admiration for Mars and remains focused on delivering the same anthems that made Mötley Crüe icons in the first place. For him, it’s less about replacing a legend and more about preserving a legacy — one power chord at a time.