Nikki Sixx Accuses Mick Mars of Lying to Fans for Money and Using ‘Dirty Lawyers’
Nikki Sixx in an interview for The Dirt - BUILD Series / YouTube
The long-standing tensions within Mötley Crüe have erupted once again, this time with bassist Nikki Sixx taking direct aim at his former bandmate Mick Mars. In a fiery statement shared on X, Sixx accused Mars of lying to fans and using “dirty lawyers” to pursue financial gains against the band. The accusations add yet another chapter to a bitter legal and personal feud that has cast a shadow over the group’s legacy.
Sixx’s comments referenced a Los Angeles Times article covering the ongoing legal dispute between Mars and the rest of Mötley Crüe. The bassist suggested that Mars deliberately misled fans in an effort to harm the band, painting the guitarist’s motives as financially driven rather than rooted in principle. For Sixx, Mars’ actions amounted to betrayal—of both the bandmates he worked alongside for decades and the loyal fans who supported them.
The statement marked one of Sixx’s most aggressive public attacks against Mars, signaling that the conflict is far from resolved. He even promised “more to be revealed soon,” leaving fans wondering what additional allegations might surface as the legal case progresses.
The Legal Battle Over Mars’ Exit
The current feud traces back to 2022, when Mars announced his retirement from touring due to health issues. What began as a difficult personal decision soon escalated into a full-blown legal war over money, rights, and legacy. Mars filed suit against his former bandmates, alleging that they attempted to oust him as a stakeholder and cut him off from his rightful share of profits.
Court documents revealed that Mars faced a proposed severance that would have slashed his touring profits from 25% to just 5%, and eventually to nothing. Despite this, the band still sought the right to use his name and likeness indefinitely. For Mars and his attorneys, this arrangement was described as “horrifically unfair and one-sided,” highlighting how business disputes can fracture even the tightest-knit groups.
Mars has maintained that while he could no longer physically tour, his status as a co-founder and shareholder should remain untouched. He argues that stepping back from the stage does not equate to surrendering the financial and creative stake he earned over four decades with Mötley Crüe.
View this post on Instagram
Sixx’s Retaliation and Accusations
Nikki Sixx’s response to Mars’ claims has been both personal and public. Through his statement, Sixx accused Mars of not only pursuing money but also of attempting to damage the band’s reputation by spreading misinformation. He referenced the Los Angeles Times coverage as evidence, urging fans to read the details and judge for themselves.
In one pointed remark, Sixx said he was “ashamed” of Mars and insisted that fans should feel the same. The tone of his words suggested deep resentment, as if Mars’ legal moves were viewed not just as a contractual dispute but as a betrayal of shared history. Sixx portrayed Mars’ legal team as “dirty lawyers,” painting the guitarist’s side as manipulative and underhanded.
For Sixx, the matter seems personal on multiple levels. Beyond the financial wrangling, his comments implied that Mars’ actions were a violation of loyalty—a core value in the high-pressure world of rock bands. Sixx framed the issue as one where Mars had turned against both his brothers in music and the millions of fans who stood by them for decades.
Legacy at Stake
At its core, the Sixx–Mars feud represents more than just a legal dispute. It underscores the fragile balance between personal relationships and business dealings in the music industry. For a band like Mötley Crüe—formed in 1981 and synonymous with the wild excesses of 1980s heavy metal—the fallout risks overshadowing a storied career.
Mars was instrumental in shaping the band’s sound and identity, his guitar work a defining feature of hits that continue to resonate today. For fans, watching founding members publicly tear each other apart is a painful reminder that even legendary groups are not immune to division. The legal battle, now in the hands of Judge James C. Chalfant, ensures that the dispute will continue to play out both in courtrooms and in headlines.
As the case develops, the question remains whether the band’s legacy will emerge intact or tarnished by accusations of greed and betrayal. With Sixx promising further revelations and Mars standing firm in his claims, the feud shows no signs of slowing down. Instead, it threatens to redefine how Mötley Crüe’s history is remembered in the years to come.
View this post on Instagram
