Mick Mars' lifelong battle with arthritis didn't prevent him from reuniting with Mötley Crüe this past summer, but recent rumors suggest 'The Stadium Tour' might have been the end of the line for the beloved guitarist.
Mars has battled a painful disease called ankylosing spondylitis since he was a teenager. Now, at 71 years old — having made it through the twice-delayed 'Stadium Tour' — there have been numerous suggestions that Mars will not be rejoining Mötley Crüe for its 2023 'World Tour' in the U.K., Europe and South America.
His rumored replacement is longtime Rob Zombie guitarist John 5, whose credits also include work with Avril Lavigne, David Lee Roth, Garbage, Marilyn Manson, Meat Loaf, Ozzy Osbourne, Slash, Steve Perry and many others.
John 5 has long been in the same circles as the members of Mötley Crüe, and has even been known to perform Crüe covers during his solo shows. Nikki Sixx had the guitarist as a guest on his 'My Favorite Riff' web series back in 2017 and he was in attendance at Tommy Lee's weeklong birthday celebration in Mexico earlier this month.
John 5 himself denied the Crüe rumors in one social post, but later deleted the comment. Members of Mötley Crüe have yet to address it.
Mötley Crüe and Def Leppard officially announced the 'World Tour' last week. Go here for more information.