What John 5 Says About Mick Mars May Surprise Fans

When John 5 officially stepped into the role once held by Mick Mars, it marked a significant shift in the long history of Mötley Crüe. Yet, rather than tension or controversy, the transition has been defined by familiarity, mutual respect, and a shared understanding of rock’s ever-evolving nature.

In a recent interview with Teraz Rock, John 5 offered a detailed look at how his deep-rooted connections with the band made him a natural successor—and why his relationship with Mars remains as strong as ever.

Built on Years of Brotherhood

Long before joining Mötley Crüe, John 5 had already forged close personal ties with its members—particularly bassist Nikki Sixx. That bond, built over years of constant communication, laid the groundwork for what would eventually become one of rock’s most seamless lineup changes.

“I’ve known [the guys in Mötley Crüe] for years and years and years and years. I was very close with them. Actually, I would talk to Nikki [Sixx] every day — multiple times a day. I don’t think there was a day that I didn’t talk to him, for years and years and years. So we were really close,” John 5 said.

So when Mars made the decision to step back from touring, the invitation felt less like a leap and more like a natural progression.

“And Mick was retiring, and they said, ‘Would you wanna join?’ And I said, ‘Absolutely.’ Because I want to experience as much as I can in life. I just want to experience as much as I can. And I think that is important in life, because you don’t wanna miss certain opportunities,” he continued.

Honoring a 40-Year Legacy

Rather than framing the lineup change as a replacement, John 5 positioned it within a broader truth about rock bands: evolution is inevitable. Still, he was careful to emphasize the magnitude of Mars’ contribution and the personal connection they continue to share.

“Every single band, every single band you can think of, has a different member, like not all original members. Every band. Every single band. I can’t think of any from the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s or early 2000s that have the same bandmembers. But Mick has been in the band for 40 years, and he gave a lot to the world. He gave 40 years of his life. And me and Mick, we would talk all the time too. We were really good friends, and we still are. So it was good,” he said.

Mars’ retirement from touring in 2022, driven by his long battle with ankylosing spondylitis, was met with widespread respect across the music world. His tenure stands as one of the most enduring in hard rock—a legacy not easily stepped into, but one John 5 approaches with both reverence and awareness.

A New Chapter, Not a Replacement

For John 5, joining Mötley Crüe is less about filling a void and more about contributing to an ongoing story. The guitarist described the experience of performing live with the band as both surreal and electrifying, even after years of friendship offstage.

“When they asked me to join and he was happy it was me, it was all good. It was so exciting, though, because we all love Mötley Crüe, and it was very, very exciting to be up on that stage with those guys. Even though I talked to them all the time, it was different being up on stage with them,” he concluded.

His history with the band—writing material for The Dirt and maintaining close backstage connections—only reinforces how organic the transition has been. Coupled with a résumé that includes work with David Lee Roth, Marilyn Manson, and Rob Zombie, John 5 brings both pedigree and adaptability to the role.

Looking ahead, his ability to balance his solo ambitions with the demands of one of rock’s most iconic bands suggests something more meaningful than a simple lineup change. It signals a continuation—where legacy and reinvention coexist. Rather than attempting to replicate the past, John 5 appears intent on honoring it while quietly pushing the band forward, proving that even decades into their career, Mötley Crüe remains a living, evolving force rather than a relic of its era.