Back in early October, Metal Sludge reported a rumor that longtime Rob Zombie guitarist John 5 was likely to join legendary rockers Mötley Crüe. Speculation grew when John 5 didn’t appear with Rob Zombie at this year’s Aftershock festival in Sacramento, and the horror rocker was joined by former guitarist Mike Riggs for the first time since 2006.
Earlier this week, co-founding Mötley Crüe guitarist Mick Mars announced he was retiring from touring but would still remain with the group in a recording capacity. The 71-year-old co-founder of the group has long battled ankylosing spondylitis, a chronic, inflammatory form of arthritis that mainly affects the spine and pelvis.
On Thursday, Mötley Crüe made the John 5 rumor official when they confirmed that he would be joining the group. “While change is never easy, we accept Mick’s decision to retire from the band due to the challenges with his health,” a statement read. “We have watched Mick manage his Ankylosing Spondylitis for decades and he has always managed it with utmost courage and grace.”
“To say ‘enough is enough’ is the ultimate act of courage. Mick’s sound helped define MÖTLEY CRÜE from the minute he plugged in his guitar at our very first rehearsal together. The rest, as they say, is history. We’ll continue to honor his musical legacy.
“We will carry out Mick’s wish and continue to tour the world as planned in 2023. No doubt will it take an absolutely outstanding musician to fill Mick’s shoes so we are grateful that our good friend, John 5 has agreed to come on board and join us moving forward. We’ll see all you Crüeheads out on the road!”
John 5 added: “I’m honored to carry on Mick’s legacy and am looking forward to playing these songs.”
As a longtime friend of Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx, John 5 was a co-writer on three original Crüe songs from the soundtrack of the band’s biopic, “The Dirt.” He’s also a member of the L.A. Rats supergroup which also features Sixx and drummer Tommy Clufetos, who himself filled in for Tommy Lee during the first segment of The Stadium Tour after Lee was injured in a home accident.
As reported by Variety, a statement from Mars’ representative reads: “Mick Mars, co-founder and lead guitarist of the heavy metal band Mötley Crüe for the past 41 years, has announced today that due to his ongoing painful struggle with Ankylosing Spondylitis (A.S.),he will no longer be able to tour with the band. Mick will continue as a member of the band, but can no longer handle the rigors of the road. A.S. is an extremely painful and crippling degenerative disease, which affects the spine.”
Last week, Mötley Crüe and Def Leppard announced they would go global in 2023 with “The World Tour.” The trek kicks off next February in Mexico City.
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