Mick Mars’ exit from Mötley Crüe and retirement from touring was unceremonious and contentious, resulting in legal drama and a highly publicized back-and-forth spat between the guitarist and his former bandmates.
But it would all be water under the bridge — for Mars at least — if the Crüe still wanted to write songs with their longtime axeman.
In a new interview, Mars was surprisingly forthcoming about the hypothetical opportunity to work with his old band in a creative capacity again.
“Well, it took me 40 years ’cause Mötley was priority… and now that I’m retired, I’m just me,” Mars told Audacy Check In when asked why it took him four decades to make his first solo album. “I mean, if Mötley wanted me to write songs with them again, of course I would… But right now, I’m just me, so I’m writing, and it’s not Mötley, and it’s how I feel — my ideas and my kind of thing and kind of trying to reinvent myself or bring myself up to date.”
Although Nikki Sixx was the chief songwriter for much the Crüe’s back catalog, Mars does have co-writing credits on some of the band’s biggest hits (“Same Ol’ Situation (S.O.S.),” “Girls, Girls, Girls,” “Dr. Feelgood,” etc.). And his recent singles from his upcoming solo album, The Other Side of Mars, have been inspired and consistent.
Meanwhile in the Mötley camp, Mars’ replacement John 5 has settled into a permanent role in the band. The guitar vet recently opened up about Mars, heaping praise on his predecessor and acknowledging the importance of maintaining that level of respect.
“I think what’s important is that I have such a respect and fondness for Mick,” John 5 told Rock Feed. “And I think that if anybody was gonna do it, I think Mick would want me to do it because I love the music and I love Mick so much and I love his solos, just like the world does. And I think that’s important. I think that’s really, really important ’cause I hold him on such a pedestal.”
Looking ahead, John 5 and Mötley Crüe have two shows at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City in New Jersey for May 3rd and 4th, plus festival appearances at Welcome to Rockville in Daytona Beach, Florida; Summerfest in Milwaukee; Ottawa Bluesfest in Canada; and Louder Than Life in Louisville. Tickets are available here.
Below you can watch the new interviews with Mars and John 5.