Motley Mars: I’m world’s most unpopular person

Motley Crue guitarist Mick Mars says he feels like “the most unpopular person on the planet” – but he aims to change that with his solo career.

He insists he has a lot to prove once the veterans bow out with their final show on New Year’s Eve. And his first releases are likely to be an album and a book that focuses on his own take on his career, following 2001 Crue bestseller The Dirt.

Mars tells Classic Rock’s Dave Ling: “It’ll be a hard rock record, but it’s tough to categorise. It’s not metal. It’ll make your hair fly back in the breeze.”

He says of the book: “It won’t be anything like The Dirt. After 30 years of being suppressed, I’m going to be bringing out a lot of shit.”

The guitarist doesn’t think any of his family read the first title. Asked why not, he replies: “When I was sick, everyone but my parents abandoned me. I’m talking about my siblings – I was begging for help and basically they told me to go fuck myself. I haven’t seen any of my family in 11 or 12 years, except for my son.”

He still has a point to prove musically too. “I feel like I’m the most unpopular person on the planet. Everyone says I can’t play the guitar – I’d like them to know that I can.

“Nobody can play like Jeff Beck. Nobody can play like Jimi Hendrix, though a lot of people try. And nobody can play like me.”

He has to focus on music because his ankylosing spondylitis makes his other interests, like driving and golf, too difficult to follow. “I can’t drive my car any more, or hop on my bike,” he says. “I can’t go out for a putt. So the answer is nothing. Music is all I do.”

But Mars insists he can persevere to prove his points. “I was driven to make it in the music world. And to this day I will not give up on anything.”

The full interview appears in the current edition of Classic Rock, on sale now in print, digital and via TeamRock+. Crue continue their Final Tour, which includes UK shows in November.

Heavy Load: Mick Mars

Not only is one-time online news editor Martin an established rock journalist and drummer, but he’s also penned several books on music history, including SAHB Story: The Tale of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, a band he once managed, and the best-selling Apollo Memories about the history of the legendary and infamous Glasgow Apollo. Martin has written for Classic Rock and Prog and at one time had written more articles for Louder than anyone else (we think he's second now). He’s appeared on TV and when not delving intro all things music, can be found travelling along the UK’s vast canal network.