Mötley Crüe has announced its co-founding guitarist Mick Mars has retired from touring. Variety broke the news that the 71-year-old guitarist will no longer tour — but will remain a part of the band.
The band's official statement 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.
There has been no word as to who will tour with the band next year for the Crüe's extensive European double bill with Def Leppard. Some recent reports had hinted that guitarist John 5 would be standing in for Mars but nothing has been officially announced.