MÖTLEY CRÜE Secures Legal Victory Against Mick Mars
MÖTLEY CRÜE has announced a significant legal triumph over former guitarist Mick Mars, declaring it a “decisive victory” following a final arbitration award. The award dismissed all claims made by Mars against the band and mandated him to reimburse the group for damages.
Background of the Dispute
The conflict began when Mars announced his retirement from touring with MÖTLEY CRÜE in October 2022 due to deteriorating health conditions. He claimed that he would still maintain his position within the band, with John 5 stepping in to perform live. However, just six months later, Mars filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles County’s Superior Court, alleging that the remaining members of the band attempted to strip him of his status as a crucial stakeholder in the band’s corporation and business holdings during a shareholders’ meeting.
Arbitration Findings
According to the band’s attorney, Sasha Frid of Miller Barondess, LLP, the arbitrator, the Honorable Patrick Walsh (Ret.), ruled entirely in favor of MÖTLEY CRÜE. The arbitrator confirmed that Mars forfeited his rights to touring revenue after he opted out of touring, a stipulation he himself insisted upon in the band’s governing agreement established in 2008. This amendment clearly stated that any member who ceased touring would not receive a share of touring income.
Despite this agreement, Mars later sought to receive 25% of touring revenue indefinitely while not performing, a demand that was ultimately rejected by the arbitrator. In addition, the ruling upheld the band’s choice to terminate Mars from his roles as an officer and director for legal reasons, while also ordering him to repay over $750,000 in unrecouped tour advances. After factoring in the value of Mars’s shares, the final award resulted in a net judgment favoring MÖTLEY CRÜE.
Public Accusations and Their Fallout
While the arbitration was in progress, Mars engaged in a public relations campaign, accusing the band of not performing live—a claim he reiterated during sworn testimony. He specifically alleged that the bass and drums played by Nikki Sixx and Tommy Lee, respectively, were pre-recorded, which struck at the core of the band’s professional integrity.
However, these accusations unraveled under examination. Mars was confronted with extensive live performance recordings and testimony from his own expert, a professor from New York University specializing in music technology. Ultimately, Mars had to admit that his statements were false and recanted his claims during sworn testimony.
Statements from the Band
Frid remarked, “This dispute was about protecting the integrity and legacy of one of the most successful bands in rock history. With the arbitrator rejecting every claim and enforcing the parties’ agreements as written, the band has been fully vindicated—legally, financially, and factually.”
In a previous interview with the Los Angeles Times, Sixx discussed Mars’s exit: “[Mick] came to us and said, health-wise, he couldn’t fulfill his contract, and we let him out of the deal. Then he sued us because he just said that he can’t tour.”
Addressing Mars’s Allegations
Sixx also countered Mars’s claim that he was the only member to perform live during MÖTLEY CRÜE’s 2022 The Stadium Tour, asserting that both he and Lee played live throughout the tour. He clarified that while augmentations may have taken place, the band was performing live and that any additional vocals were standard practice in the industry.
Management’s Perspective
Allen Kovac, MÖTLEY CRÜE’s manager of over thirty years, criticized Mars’s representatives for guiding him toward harmful actions against the band. He stated, “Mick is not the victim. The victims are MÖTLEY CRÜE and the brand, which Mick is so prideful of.” Kovac emphasized that Mars had been treated well by the band, especially given his ongoing health issues.
Mick Mars’s Health Challenges
Mars, whose real name is Robert Alan Deal, suffers from Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), a chronic inflammatory form of arthritis primarily affecting the spine and pelvis. After years of performing despite significant pain, he informed his bandmates in the summer of 2022 that he could no longer tour but was willing to participate in recording sessions and less demanding performances.
Conclusion
The arbitration’s outcome solidifies MÖTLEY CRÜE’s position concerning their contractual agreements with Mars and serves to protect the band’s legacy amidst public scrutiny. The resolution of this dispute marks a pivotal moment, reinforcing the importance of contractual integrity in the music industry.
FAQs
What led to Mick Mars’s retirement from touring?
Mick Mars announced his retirement from touring due to worsening health issues related to Ankylosing Spondylitis.
What were the main claims made by Mick Mars in his lawsuit?
Mars claimed that the other members of MÖTLEY CRÜE attempted to remove him as a significant stakeholder in the band’s corporation and business holdings after he announced his retirement from touring.
What was the arbitrator’s ruling regarding Mars’s claims?
The arbitrator ruled entirely in favor of MÖTLEY CRÜE, rejecting every claim made by Mars and ordering him to repay over $750,000 in unrecouped tour advances.
Did Mick Mars’s public accusations against the band hold any validity?
No, his accusations regarding the band not performing live were refuted by live performance recordings and testimony from his own expert, leading him to recant those claims during sworn testimony.
