Mötley Crüe wants to keep its legal battle with guitarist Mick Mars private.
The band has petitioned a judge to send the matter to private arbitration, according to a TMZ report. The band says the lawsuit is a business matter that shouldn’t be settled in a public trial.
Mars suffers from Ankylosing Spondylitis, a chronic and inflammatory form of arthritis. After years of performing through the pain, Mars retired from touring with Mötley Crüe in October 2022 due to health issues.
Since then, Mars filed a lawsuit against the band accusing them of removing him as a stakeholder in the band’s business dealings by cutting his share of the touring royalties from 25% to just 5%.
In the lawsuit, Mars claimed he was the only member of Mötley Crüe to play live during his last tour with the band. Meanwhile, the band says backing tracks were needed for Mars, whose playing has apparently deteriorated.
Mars claimed Nikki Sixx, “Did not play a single note” on tour. However, Sixx responded on Twitter, writing, “Sad day for us and we don’t deserve this considering how many years we’ve been propping him up. We still wish him the best and hope he find’s [sic] lawyers and managers who aren’t damaging him. We love you Mick.”
The lawsuit may be messy but it is not stopping Mötley Crüe from recording new music. In May, Nikki Sixx confirmed the band’s new songs are “100% officially done”. Unsurprisingly, the band does not appear to be recording with Mick Mars.
