Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx is pushing back against former bandmate Mick Mars over allegations that he wasn’t actually playing bass during the band’s live performances. Mars previously claimed in a lawsuit that Sixx “didn’t play a single note on bass” during the group’s 2022 Stadium Tour, suggesting the band relied heavily on pre-recorded tracks. Sixx strongly denied the accusations, pointing to his decades of contributions to Mötley Crüe’s music and recordings. The allegations surrounding the band’s live performances were ultimately dismissed in arbitration.
Current Mötley Crüe guitarist John 5 also came to Sixx’s defense, insisting that the bassist plays every note onstage and that occasional mistakes prove the performances are live. Beyond the musical accusations, Sixx expressed disappointment over the bitter fallout with Mars, saying, “The saddest part is that we genuinely loved Mick.” Mars retired from touring in October 2022 due to health issues before filing a lawsuit against his former bandmates in April 2023 over financial and business disputes. The ongoing tension continues to cast a shadow over the band’s decades-long history.
