Nikki Sixx accuses Mick Mars of 'betrayal' over claims Motley Crue 'don't play live'
Nikki Sixx has defended Mötley Crüe's use of backing tracks after former member Mick Mars claimed the band "don't play live".
Nikki Sixx has fired back at former Mötley Crüe guitarist Mick Mars, accusing him of “betrayal” following his claims that the band didn’t perform live during their final tour together.
In a new interview with the Los Angeles Times, the Home Sweet Home group's bassist didn’t mince his words: “Saying he played in a band that didn’t play, it’s a betrayal to the band who saved his life.”
Sixx defended Crüe’s use of backing tracks, insisting they’re only used to enhance the sound - not replace it.
He said: “Anything we enhance the shows with, we actually played.
“If there are background vocals with my background vocals, and we have background singers to make it sound more like the record. That does not mean we’re not singing.”
The feud stems from Mars’ 2022 retirement from touring due to his lengthy battle with ankylosing spondylitis, a degenerative spinal condition. While Mars initially said he’d remain a member of the band, things quickly turned sour. He filed a lawsuit claiming the band tried to cut his share of profits and alleged that Sixx didn’t play a single note on bass during their US stadium run.
Sixx has denied the accusations, calling them “shocking” and “hurtful,” especially after the band had accommodated Mars’ health struggles.
He said: “If you can’t tour, you can’t tour.
“We understood that. But to turn around and sue us after everything? That’s not rock ’n’ roll - that’s betrayal.”
The band’s attorney, Sasha Frid, also weighed in, stating that even Mars’ own expert witness confirmed Crüe performed live throughout the tour.
Meanwhile, frontman Vince Neil is recovering from a stroke suffered last Christmas, which delayed the band’s Las Vegas residency. The shows finally kicked off last week, with Crüe returning to the stage.
As for Mars - who was replaced by John 5 - he’s remained relatively quiet since the lawsuit, but insiders say the guitarist is working on solo material and may address the controversy in his own words soon.
