Mick Mars

Mick Mars: biography

Mick Mars is an American musician best known as the lead guitarist and co-founder of the rock band Mötley Crüe.

Childhood and youth

Mick Mars, whose birth name is Robert Alan Deal, was born on May 4, 1951, in Terre Haute, Indiana. He grew up in a musical family, with his father playing guitar and his mother singing in a band. At the age of nine, Mars received his first guitar and began teaching himself how to play.

As a teenager, Mars played in various bands in his hometown and eventually moved to California in the late 1970s to pursue a career in music. He struggled to make a name for himself, playing in several bands that never gained much success. During this time, Mars also struggled with substance abuse and eventually became homeless for a short period.

Music career

Mick’s fortunes changed in 1981 when he was introduced to the members of Mötley Crüe and joined the band as their lead guitarist.

With Mars' addition to the band, Mötley Crüe's sound evolved, incorporating elements of blues and heavy metal that set them apart from other bands of the time. The band's debut album, "Too Fast for Love," was released in 1981 and received critical acclaim. Their subsequent albums, "Shout at the Devil" (1983), "Theatre of Pain" (1985), and "Girls, Girls, Girls" (1987), solidified their status as one of the biggest bands of the 1980s.

Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Mötley Crüe continued to release successful albums and tour extensively. However, by the mid-1990s, the band's popularity began to wane, and they went on hiatus for several years. During this time, Mars worked on his solo career, releasing a solo album titled "And the Crue Did Go On" in 1996.

In 2004, Mötley Crüe reunited and released a new album, "Red, White & Crue," which included new material as well as some of their greatest hits. The band continued to tour and release albums, with Mars playing an integral role in their sound and success.

In addition to his work with Mötley Crüe, Mars has also collaborated with other musicians and worked on various projects. He contributed to the soundtrack of the film "The Dirt" (2019), a biopic about Mötley Crüe, and released a solo single titled "Stand Tall" in 2020.

Throughout his career, Mars has been recognized as one of the most influential and innovative guitarists in rock music. His distinctive playing style, which incorporates elements of blues, heavy metal, and hard rock, has inspired countless musicians and fans. Despite facing numerous health challenges, including a degenerative bone disease that has affected his ability to perform, Mars has remained dedicated to his music and continues to tour and record with Mötley Crüe and as a solo artist.

Personal life

Mick Mars has had a tumultuous personal life, marked by both successes and challenges. He has been married twice and has three children.

In the late 1970s, Mars married his first wife, Sharon Deal, with whom he had two children: a daughter Stormy Deal and a son Les Paul Deal. However, the couple divorced in 1984. Mars later married Emi Canyn, a backup singer for Mötley Crüe, in 1990. The couple remained married for 4 years before divorcing in 1994.

Mick married Seraina Schönenberger, a Swiss model, in 2013. They have a gap of 33 years but they are a loving couple.

Throughout his career, Mars has struggled with substance abuse, including alcoholism and addiction to painkillers. He has been open about his struggles and has credited his sobriety with helping him manage his health issues and continue performing.

In 2004, Mars was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, a degenerative bone disease that causes chronic pain and limits mobility. He has undergone multiple surgeries and treatments to manage the disease, including hip replacement surgery in 2004 and spinal surgery in 2013.

Despite these challenges, Mars remains dedicated to his music and continues to tour and record with Mötley Crüe and as a solo artist. He has also been involved in various philanthropic efforts, including supporting organizations that raise awareness for ankylosing spondylitis and other health issues.

Discography

With Mötley Crüe:

• Too Fast for Love (1981)
• Shout at the Devil (1983)
• Theatre of Pain (1985)
• Girls, Girls, Girls (1987)
• Dr. Feelgood (1989)
• Mötley Crüe (1994)
• Generation Swine (1997)
• New Tattoo (2000)
• Saints of Los Angeles (2008)

Collaborations:

• Hinder - "All American Nightmare" (2010) [guitar solo on the title track]
• Rascal Flatts - "Rewind" (2014) [guitar on the song "Payback"]
• Machine Gun Kelly - "Hotel Diablo" (2019) [guitar on the song "I Think I'm OKAY"]