In what may be one of the worst kept secrets in recent memory, Mötley Crüe announced via a statement on their Instagram account that John 5 will be taking over for Mick Mars on the band’s future tour dates. The post also comments on the founding guitarist’s decision to step down.
“While change is never easy, we accept Mick’s decision to retire from the band due to the challenges with his health. 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, who had worked with Mötley Crüe on three songs for the 2019 The Dirt Soundtrack, had long been considered Mars’ replacement even before the guitarist called it quits. Speculation started almost immediately after he was a no-show at a Rob Zombie concert where Mike Riggs was brought back into the fold. Then there were the cryptic online posts and his attendance at Tommy Lee’s 60th birthday party.
Mötley Crüe are scheduled to take their stadium tour with Def Leppard to Europe and South America next year, so that may be the soonest John 5 will be seen on stage with the band. You can check out the dates below:
2/18 – Mexico City, Mexico – Foro Sol
2/21 – Monterrey, Mexico – Estadio Banorte
2/25 – Bogota, Colombia – Parque Simon Bolivar
2/28 – Lima, Peru – Estadio Nacional
3/03 – Santiago, Chile – Estadio Bicentenario de La Florida
3/07 – Sao Paulo, Brazil – Allianz Parque
3/09 – Curitiba, Brazil – Estádio Couto Pereira
3/11 – Porto Alegre, Brazil – Arena do Grêmio
5/22 – Sheffield, UK – Bramall Lane
5/25 – Mönchengladbach, Germany – SparkassenPark
5/27 – Munich, Germany – Koenigsplatz
5/29 – Budapest, Hungary – MVM Dome
5/31 – Krakow, Poland – Tauron Arena Kraków
6/02 – Prague, Czech Republic – Prague Rocks
6/03 – Hannover, Germany – Expo Plaza
6/07 – Solvesborg, Sweden – Sweden Rock Festival
6/09 – Hyvinkää, Finland – RockFest
6/11 – Trondheim, Norway – Trondheim Rocks
6/14 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Copenhell
6/18 – Dessel, Belgium – Graspop Metal Meeting
6/20 – Milan, Italy – Ippodromo SNAI San Siro
6/23 – Lisbon, Portugal – Passeio Maritimo de Alges
6/24 – Rivas-Vaciamadrid, Spain – Auditorio Miguel Ríos
6/27 – Thun, Switzerland – Stockhorn Arena
7/01 – London, UK – Wembley Stadium
7/02 – Lytham, UK – Lytham Festival
7/04 – Dublin, Ireland – Marlay Park
7/06 – Glasgow, UK – Hampden Park