Mick Mars, the legendary co-founding guitarist of Mötley Crüe, has had quite the rollercoaster of a year. From his iconic riffs that defined an era to his battle with arthritis, the man behind the music has a story that’s as intriguing as the guitar solos he shreds. Let’s take a journey through the ups and downs of Mick Mars’ career, sprinkled with a dash of humor and a lot of rock ‘n’ roll.
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Table of Contents
The Man Behind the Riffs
Mick Mars, born as Robert Alan Deal, rocked the world with his guitar as a founding member of Mötley Crüe. He was instrumental in shaping the ’80s sound that brought forth the era of hair metal. Mars, despite bassist Nikki Sixx taking the songwriting helm, co-wrote some of the band’s most iconic tracks, from the bluesy brilliance of “Same Ol’ Situation (S.O.S.)” to the strip club anthem “Girls, Girls, Girls.”
The Guitarist’s Last Ride
Last year, the news hit that Mick Mars would be retiring from touring with Mötley Crüe due to his long-standing battle with Ankylosing Spondylitis, a form of arthritis that’s as unpleasant as its name. Not long after, John 5 stepped in as his replacement. And well, it wasn’t exactly a shocker considering the circumstances.
Behind the Scenes Drama
But wait, there’s more! Behind the rock ‘n’ roll facade, a courtroom drama unfolded. Mars and his ex-bandmates started hurling accusations back and forth. Mars claimed that they were “faking” their live shows, while the others argued that Mick might be “confused” and forgetful about chords and songs. The band moved on, working on new music with John 5, marking the first time they’d record without Mars. Drama alert!
The Bright Side of Mars
Amidst all the legal chaos, we find a silver lining. Mick Mars is launching his first solo album, aptly titled “The Other Side of Mars,” featuring Ray Luzier from Korn on drums. We caught up with Mars just before Halloween to get the scoop.
Why Did It Take So Long, Mick?
We had to ask the burning question that fans worldwide wondered: Why did it take so long to go solo, Mick? His response? “There were a lot of stumbling blocks!” We can’t help but chuckle. Mars began writing during the final Mötley Crüe tour in 2014-2015 but had to pause when the band got back together to play due to the release of “The Dirt.” There were more hiccups, like a distribution fiasco, but hey, the show must go on!
It’s Not a Band, It’s a Circus of Musicians
So, is this a band, or a merry-go-round of musicians? Mars clarifies that it’s not really a band. He hired some singers, like Jacob Bunton and Brion Gamboa. Brion, a construction guy with a killer voice, is a hidden gem on the record. Paul Taylor joined in to play keyboards and write with Mars. And guess what? Brion nailed his parts in just one take, leaving Mick in awe.
Breaking Down the Riffs
We dive into Mick’s riffs, especially “Broken on the Inside.” It’s heavy, and it’s glorious. Mars explains, “I was just goofing around, and I thought to myself, ‘This could be something!'” Some songs, like “Killing Breed” and “Undone,” are about people who drain you mentally. Mick draws from personal experiences, and you can hear the emotion in his music.
Mars and His Guitars
Mick Mars has a treasure trove of guitars – around 120 of them, to be exact. His most expensive one? A 1960 Les Paul. But he’s all about the vintage vibes and not a fan of those unsightly volute lumps. Who needs those?
Marshall Madness
When it comes to amps, Mars has a whopping 64 Marshall stacks from various eras. He’s all about the equipment, whether old or new. And it’s a collection that’s grown over 40 years of touring. No wonder he’s called “tone-crazy.”
Making Music
Mick explains his gear, including a Cry Baby Q Zone Fixed Wah, which adds a unique touch to his sound. He also plays around with the Whammy for those strange, harmonious sounds. Mick’s not about speed; he’s about the melody. He wants people to hum his solos, just like Jeff Beck.
The Guitar Legend
Mick shares stories about songwriting, including the process of refining intros until they felt right. And sometimes, even a non-shredder can shred when the song calls for it. It’s all about fitting the music.
The Guns N’ Roses Connection
We can’t forget Mick’s connection with Guns N’ Roses. He and Slash are friends, and they’ve even shared guitar gear. Mick’s boots matched Slash’s wah pedal – now that’s true rock ‘n’ roll coordination!
Proud of the Legacy
Despite the ups and downs, Mick Mars is immensely proud of Mötley Crüe’s body of work. It’s a legacy that will continue to rock on.
The Future
Mick Mars isn’t done yet. He’s on good terms with John 5 and is excited about his solo project. The rock ‘n’ roll journey continues!
So, there you have it, the tale of Mick Mars – a guitar legend, a survivor of arthritis, and a solo artist in the making. Rock on, Mick!
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