Mötley Crüe Guitarist Mick Mars Retires From Touring Due To Crippling Condition

Update (1 p.m. PT): Mötley Crüe issued a statement regarding Mick Mars’ retirement. The band tapped John 5 to replace Mars on the road. Read the full statement below:

Guitarist Mick Mars will no longer tour with Mötley Crüe. Mars, who suffers from a debilitating form of arthritis called Ankylosing Spondylitis, will remain a member of the band.

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

The legendary metal act recently announced dates in Latin America and Europe with Def Leppard. Both bands recently finished an extensive North American tour. The next leg starts in Mexico City on February 18.