Photo Credit: Drew “Rukes” Ressler / CC by 2.0
Nikki Sixx and Motley Crue have now responded to Mick Mars’ wrongful termination lawsuit: “Retiring from touring is resigning from the band.”
Motley Crue has responded to guitarist Mick Mars’ lawsuit alleging that the band is trying to oust him after 41 years. The group’s attorneys insist that Mars resigned, effectively quitting when he announced he would no longer tour.
“Retiring from touring is resigning from the band. The band’s primary function is to tour and perform concerts,” said Sasha Frid, the band’s litigation attorney. “After the last tour, Mick publicly resigned from Motley Crue.”
“Despite the fact that the band did not owe Mick anything — and with Mick owing the band millions in advances that he did not pay back — the band offered Mick a generous compensation package to honor his career with the band,” Frid continues. “Manipulated by his manager and lawyer, Mick refused and chose to file this ugly public lawsuit.”
Motley Crue’s attorneys provided signed declarations from seven touring crew members present with the band when they toured with Mars for the last time for 36 stadium shows in 2022. These declarations allege that Mars’ performances at the shows were subpar and caused issues for the entire group.
“Mick struggled to remember chords, played the wrong songs, and made constant mistakes which led to his departure from the band,” says Frid. “There are multiple declarations from the band’s crew attesting to his decline.”
Initially, the band members spoke only through their attorney, but bassist Nikki Sixx added his two cents and quote tweeted a link to Variety‘s story coverage.
“Sad day for us, and we don’t deserve this, considering how many years we’ve been propping him up,” Sixx writes. “We still wish him the best and hope he finds lawyers and managers who aren’t damaging him. We love you, Mick.”
Mars’ press release last October stated, “Mick will continue as a member of the band but can no longer handle the rigors of the road.”
The band and its legal representation have quickly pointed out that dropping out as a touring member is legally equivalent to quitting the group.
“If a shareholder resigns, he cannot receive any compensation from touring — which is what Mick is trying to get. It’s clear-cut that Mick is not entitled to any more money,” concludes Frid.
The 71-year-old Mars has insisted that the disease from which he has suffered since age 27, Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), has rendered him unable to continue on the road. Still, he said he was still available for recordings, one-off shows, or residencies, contending that even if Mars didn’t play anymore, he still retains his rights as a one-quarter shareholder in the band’s various companies.