Mick Mars

Mick Mars (born Bob Alan Deal, May 4, 1951 in Terre Haute, Indiana) is the guitar player for hard rock/heavy metal band Mötley Crüe.

Related Topics:
May 4 - 1951 - Terre Haute, Indiana - Hard rock - Heavy metal - Mötley Crüe

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Mars played in several unsuccessful blues based rock bands throughout the seventies. In April of 1981 he composed a want-ad in the Los Angeles "Recycler" newspaper that read, "Loud, rude, and aggressive guitar player available". Nikki Sixx and Tommy Lee contacted him and the three decided to form a band together. They were joined later that month by local singer/frontman Vince Neil. It was Mick's suggestion that the band's name be Mötley Crüe.

Related Topics:
Blues - Nikki Sixx - Tommy Lee - Vince Neil

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Unlike many of the hard rock/heavy metal guitarists of his era, Mars' guitar style is steeped in the blues tradition. He employs frequent use of a metal slide in his soloing and takes on both the rhythm and lead guitar duties of the band.

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For most of his professional career, Mars has struggled with a degenerative bone condition called Ankylosing Spondylitis, which increasingly impaired his movement and playing ability and led to hip-replacement surgery at the end of 2004. Mick is currently on tour with the reunited Mötley Crüe.

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