Why did Mick Mars retire?

Robert Alan Deal best known as Mick Mars, an American musician and the former lead guitarist and co-founder of the heavy metal band Mötley Crüe retired from touring with the band due to his struggle with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), an autoimmune disease.

On October 28, 2022, Mick announced through a rep that he will be unable to tour with the band he co-founded due to his struggle with the disease.

A rep for the 71-year-old musician told Variety on Wednesday [Oct. 28]  about Mars’ degenerative disease;

“Mick Mars, co-founder and lead guitarist of the heavy metal band Mötley Crüe for the past 41 years, has announced today [Oct. 28] that due to his ongoing painful struggle with Ankylosing Spondylitis (A.S.), he will no longer be able to tour with the band.”

The statement continued;

“Mick will continue as a member of the band, but can no longer handle the rigors of the road. A.S. is an extremely painful and crippling degenerative disease, which affects the spine.”

According to Mayoclinic, ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory disease that, over time, can cause some of the bones in the spine (vertebrae) to fuse.

• The fusing leads to the spine becoming less flexible and can result in a hunched posture.
• If the ribs are affected, it can be difficult to breathe deeply.
• Ankylosing spondylitis affects men more often than women.
• Its and symptoms typically begin in early adulthood.
• In some cases, it brings about inflammation in other parts of the body — most commonly, the eyes.

Mars has lived with the disease since he was 17 years.