Ed McPherson Mötley Crüe guitarist Mick Mars , condemned the band's victory in court against his client. On January 29, Judge Patrick J. Walsh dismissed the guitarist's lawsuit against the group, ordering him to return more than $750,000 in tour advances.
In an interview with Rolling Stone , McPherson called the decision "ridiculous" and "unfair." The lawyer also stated that the band "was never fair" to Mars, especially after he announced he would no longer tour due to his degenerative disease – Ankylosing Spondylitis.
“When Mick said, ‘I can’t tour anymore because of a terrible illness, but I can still write, or do one-off shows, residencies, and record,’ they replied, ‘Sorry, Mick. It’s been 43 years, but you’re out. Goodbye, and we don’t want to pay you anymore.’ This judge said that’s all right. We need to decide whether we’re going to contest it. It’s ridiculous. It’s just a question of whether he wants to continue with this. Basically, he’s outgrown Mötley Crüe,” he stated [transcription via Blabbermouth ].
Understand the lawsuit filed by Mick Mars against Mötley Crüe
The lawsuit originated from Mars' departure from touring in 2022 due to his battle with the degenerative disease Ankylosing Spondylitis, when he claimed he was still entitled to 25% of concert revenue, even without performing live. In 2023, Mars filed a lawsuit against the band , of which he had been a part for the past 41 years, alleging financial losses and that he had been expelled by the members in a "unilateral decision."
Patrick J. Walsh 's decision confirmed that Mars forfeited any share of tour revenues by ceasing to tour with the group and ordered him to reimburse over $750,000 (approximately R$4 million at the current exchange rate) in unrecovered tour advances, in addition to upholding his termination as a director and officer of the band.
Furthermore, the judge also upheld the band's decision to fire Mick Mars from his positions as director and executive for cause.
“Mars received a $1,500,000 advance in exchange for his agreement to perform 138 shows. He understood, upon receiving the advance, that it was an advance and that he would have to return it if he stopped touring. Mars stopped touring. Therefore, he must return it. Mars is ordered to pay MCI the proportional value of the shows he missed between September 2021 and the present date. He is not obligated to pay for the shows that did not take place,” said Judge Patrick J. Walsh [via Louder ].
During the trial, Mick Mars made public accusations claiming that the group did not play live. But he was confronted with real recordings and expert testimony that led him to admit under oath that his statements were false.
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