Mick Mars Snubbed: Def Leppard's Phil Collen Says John 5 Fits In as New Motley Crue Guitarist

While Mick Mars fights for her role and position in Motley Crue, Def Leppard Phil Collen approved the band's decision to replace him with John 5.

Motley Crue's new guitarist joined the band after Mars announced in October that he would retire from touring due to her worsening health issues. The founding guitarist, however, clarified that he would continue making music as a Motley Crue member.

But things have not happened according to plans as he was replaced by John 5 - something the Def Leppard guitarist approved.

Def Leppard Guitarist Phil Collen Says Motley Crue's Lineup Change "Worked Out Great"

In a new interview with Linea Rock, Collen told Barbara Caserta that it was "great" that John 5 came out with the band because of Mars' health issues.

"John 5 is just a wonderful human being and plays great and everything, so he fits in. And he really helped the band out, because Mick couldn't really do that," Collen said. "Traveling is the problem; he was having trouble [with all the travel]. It just was painful. It worked out great."

Although Mars filed a lawsuit against the band for allegedly gaslighting him and kicking him out of the band, Motley Crue continues making music with its new guitarist.

Earlier this month, Nikki Sixx, John 5, and drummer Tommy Lee all shared photos from the studio and confirmed that they started working with producer Bob Rock. They previously said they would start working together on a new record.

The upcoming record will be a follow-up to its 2008 album, "Saint of Los Angeles," and the first album without its founding guitarist.

Collen's statement resonated with what his bandmate, drummer Rick Allen, said in February during his appearance on the "Appetite for Distortion" podcast. At that time, Allen said it was Mars decision to move forward to the next part of his life as he still suffers from terrible pain because of his health issues.

He added that it was the guitarist's choice to retire from touring and that it was "right for him" at that time.

What Happened to Mick Mars?

Mars marked his last show with Motley Crue in 2022 at the band's Las Vegas' Allegiant Stadium show. He revealed a few weeks later that he would retire from touring to focus on his recovery amid his battle with ankylosing spondylitis.

The disease causes inflammation in one's spine by releasing extra calcium. The guitarist's case worsened over the decades as he failed to have it checked in his late teens due to financial struggles.

Tags

Mick Mars, Motley Crue