DAVE NAVARRO - NAVARRO SLAMS CRUE RUMOURS

Rocker DAVE NAVARRO has blasted reports he's been invited to replace ailing MOTLEY CRUE guitarist MICK MARS on the heavy metal outfit's upcoming reunion tour.

Mars underwent a hip replacement operation last June (04) and suffers from the chronic degenerative illness ankylosing spondylitis, prompting music industry insiders to believe he wouldn't be fit to hit the road on Crue's world tour.

But former JANE'S ADDICTION and RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS guitarist Navarro insists Mars is well enough to rock, and laughs off rumours he'd been asked to step into his shoes.

He says, "I have received information from a reliable source that Mick Mars is still doing the Crue tour, despite internet rumours regarding his health."