Phil Collen Comments On Motley Crue's Substitution Of Guitarist From Mick Mars To John 5

Phil Collen (Instagram @defleppard)

JAKARTA - In a new interview with Barbara Castari from Linea Rock, Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen commented on Motley Crue's decision to hire John 5 as a replacement for Mick Mars.

Mick Mars - founder guitarist Motley Crue - announced his resignation from the tour last October due to deteriorating health problems. Meanwhile Phil - who and Def Leppard toured Motley Crue last summer as part of "The Stadium Tour" and recently launched "The World Tour" comment.

"The problem with Motley Crue, Mick Mars is really in pain. We finished the America tour with him, and he had physical problems. So it was great that John 5 appeared," said Phil.

"John 5 is an amazing guy and plays great and everything, so he fits. And he really helps the band tour, because Mick can't do that. Travel is the problem; he's had problems [with all the trips]. It hurts. (Together John 5) it worked well."

When Mars announced his retirement from the tour with Motley Crue, the guitarist stated that he would remain a member of the band, where John 5 took his place on the tour.

Earlier this month, however, the 71-year-old musician filed a lawsuit against Crue at the Los Angeles County High Court claiming that, following his announcement, another Crue member tried to remove him as a significant stakeholder in the group company and business ownership through a shareholder meeting.

Regarding Mick's lawsuit against Crue, this is what the bassist Nikki Sixx told Planet Rock.

"If a band member tells you they can't go on tours for health reasons, you have two options. You can stop as a band [after] 42 years of work. Or we can see each other and say 'Are we done yet?!' We really top and we understand the health problem [Mick], "explained the leader.

"We wish him all the best and we know that he is a little confused and misled by his current representatives. But we still have to stay focused on why we are here."