Martin Kielty of Classic Rock reports:
Motley Crue guitarist Mick Mars says he feels like “the most unpopular person on the planet” – but he aims to change that with his solo career.
He insists he has a lot to prove once the veterans bow out with their final show on New Year’s Eve. And his first releases are likely to be an album and a book that focuses on his own take on his career, following 2001 Crue bestseller The Dirt.
Mars tells Classic Rock’s Dave Ling, “It’ll be a hard rock record, but it’s tough to categorize. It’s not metal. It’ll make your hair fly back in the breeze.”
He says of the book, “It won’t be anything like The Dirt. After 30 years of being suppressed, I’m going to be bringing out a lot of shit.”
The guitarist doesn’t think any of his family read the first title. Asked why not, he replied, “When I was sick, everyone but my parents abandoned me. I’m talking about my siblings – I was begging for help and basically they told me to go f–k myself. I haven’t seen any of my family in 11 or 12 years, except for my son.”
He still has a point to prove musically too. “I feel like I’m the most unpopular person on the planet. Everyone says I can’t play the guitar – I’d like them to know that I can. Nobody can play like Jeff Beck. Nobody can play like Jimi Hendrix, though a lot of people try. And nobody can play like me.”
He has to focus on music because his ankylosing spondylitis makes his other interests, like driving and golf, too difficult to follow. “I can’t drive my car any more, or hop on my bike,” he says. “I can’t go out for a putt. So the answer is nothing. Music is all I do.”
But Mars insists he can persevere to prove his points. “I was driven to make it in the music world. And to this day I will not give up on anything.”
The full interview appears in the current edition of Classic Rock, on sale now in print, digital and via TeamRock+.
source: classicrock.teamrock.com
19 Responses
If anyone says Mick can’t play the guitar, they’re not really listening! Not only can Mick play the guitar “Louder Than Hell,” he’s one of the best! I can’t wait to hear Mick’s album next year, and read his book, I’m sure both will be “Red Hot!” See you next month Mick, cheers!
Mick sounds better and play’s ten times better than Ace Frehely who quit The biggest band since the Rolling Stones. Mick don’t feel bad Ace frehely left Kiss twice and gave up 50 million dollars to go and play bowling Alleys for $1200.00 a show! Mick even moves more on stage than Ace.
Your bias against Ace is obvious, not sure why but you are entitled to your opinion. I’m just curious if you truly know all the business dealings that made Ace leave the band. I mean you must have been on the inside on what the contracts look like to reach such conclusions? And when exactly was Ace ever a flurry of motion on the stage again?
I have to agree with Gee, Watch Kiss play Let me go Rock n Roll on you tube live 1977 , Ace plays with his heart and soul, His body language and facial expressions clearly shows he loves what he was doing at the time. Ace could have been better than Jimmy Page if he kept playing into the 1980’s. He let himself and his talent go, I saw Ace on his just 4 fun tour in 92, Ace was like a statue, His roadie would walk in front of him on stage facing the crowd and change guitars on him while Ace stood motion-less like a dummy.
Kiss is the biggest band since the Rolling Stones? Are you out of your mind?
Comments like that are what falls under “drinking the Kool Aid” haha.. And I LOVED Kiss 2000 back..
Kiss sold more records than the Beatles!
I agree 100% with u Doug, Mick is one of those rare players that doesn’t have to feed off a rhythm guitar player to excel. When you see crue live he fills the stadium with only one guitar , and it sounds monstrous.And yet he does not get the true recognition he deserves.
You’re right Mike, he doesn’t. We all know how great Mick is, he doesn’t have anything to prove to us. If Mick was in just about any other band other than Motley Crue, then the “critics” might give him the true recognition he rightfully deserves.
Mick Mars is not a good guitarist, if he was, it wouldn’t be the Crue. Mick does have this very unique ability to make something very simple sound more intricate than it is, he does know how to finesse very simple ideas into something that has a subtle sophistication to it. As for making it sound huge, well, his gear has a lot to do with that.
Mick’s actually the only member of Motley Crue that I think is cool. I love his guitar sound. It’s the best thing about the Crue’s music, Tommy’s drums being a close second. Listen to his riffs alone, especially on the first two Motley Crue albums. The man can play. His sound is huge and he does it by himself, no extra rhythm guitarist to help fill out the sound. He doesn’t need another guitarist. He is the music of Motley Crue. The last time I saw them live, Mick was the star of the show. His guitar playing made it worth putting up with Tommy Lee yelling stupid stuff into his headset mike and Vince singing every other line in songs off key like he was out of breath. I look forward to Mick’s solo album and tour.