Life on Mars

It's Mick Mars day here at Bring Back Glam! Today is Mick's birthday, so we should go back in time for a little Motley history.

Mick Mars was born Bob Alan Deal in Terre Haute, Indiana. A high school dropout, Mick played guitar in several blues bands before making it big with Motley Crue. While Motley Crue is largely the brainchild of bassist Nikki Sixx, Mars was largely instrumental in convincing Vince Neil to sing lead in the band. Mick also dreamed up the name Motley Crue.

A vastly underrated player, Mars continually fights his body during studio and live performances. He suffers from the degenerative Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Mick's portions of The Dirt were very interesting to me. While the other members of Motley are brash and over-the-top, Mick keeps to himself. While Nikki, Vince, and Tommy Lee are always in the media spotlight, Mick keeps his mouth shut. As such, his unique perspective offers a fresh glance into the background of Motley Crue.

Here's a pretty cool solo from Mick during the Dr. Feelgood tour. It starts out slide blues and goes straight Metal. Enjoy!

Comments

[Hard Rock Hideout]

Mick Mars is such an under rated guitarist. You never hear him mentioned as one of the great ones. I would guess that is because he doesn't have that flamboyant personality, that so many lead guitarists have.

The Crue's sound depends on the awesome guitar playing of Mick. I fear the day that his health goes south to a point where he can't play any more.

[aXe mAn]

Happy Birthday Mick!
Motley Crue ROCKS!

[Rhodeislandrock]

From what I remember, Mick is a bit older than the rest of the band so that is probably why he seems more reserved. I think Mick is vastly underrated as a player and I have had the pleasure of seeing him live on every tour since 1988. With all thos personalities in the band, I always thought of Mick as the glue that held the band together.

[Metal Mark]

From interviews I read it sounds like Mick sat back a bit while the band was having their wild days because he was older. I guess he was past that stage by that point in his life.

[bob_vinyl]

I don't think Mick Mars was an underrated guitarist in terms of technical skill, because he was avaerage at best in that department. However, while so many other guitarists at the time used their solos to grandstand, Mick Mars played what the song needed. In that sense, I think he probably was underrated.

[Britny]

As Motley Crue is my favorite band, it is hard for me to think of a better guitarist than Mick Mars. I can only wish him the HAPPIEST of birthdays!!!

[Rage]

This is a response to bob_vinyl (2 years after the fact, right?). I strongly disagree with his estimation of Mick Mars' guitar playing skills. While appreciation is subjective (which I feel is where bob is coming from), technical skill is not. Having heard, and seen live, many guitar greats, Mick ranks right up there with them, with one exception- he is equally skilled in the studio and live. For example, after seeing Joe Perry I've concluded that he is either lazy or sloppy, rendering the songs that we love by Aerosmith merely shells of themselves. Furthermore, for Mick to be able to play as he does, with consideration to his deteriorating physical condition, is a testament to his above average skills. The one thing bob got right is that Mick provided the songs, most of which were written by Nikki, what they needed. And, yes, I'm writing this as a fan. But it's because of Mick Mars' skill that I'm a fan.

[Canuk_qc]

In response to Rage: I couldn't agree with you more. The guy is impressive on guitar... nuf said.