Motley Crue has announced that guitarist and founding member Mick Mars is retiring from touring. A statement from the band, published by Variety, noted that Mars’ retirement was “due to his ongoing painful struggle with Ankylosing Spondylitis (A.S.).” The statement further clarified that “Mick will continue as a member of the band, but can no longer handle the rigors of the road.”
Mars had always been the elder statesman of Motley Crue. Born in 1951 (though some have questioned the accuracy of that year), the rocker originally named Robert Alan Deal was more than seven years older than all of his Crue bandmates. Health issues plagued Mars throughout his career, most notably the aforementioned ankylosing spondylitis, a chronic, inflammatory form of arthritis that has gradually impaired his movement.
For more, check out this article from Ultimate Classic Rock.
