Mick Mars says his former Mötley Crüe bandmates are trying to get rid of his legacy.

In an interview, the guitarist and founding member claims his exit from the band last year was involuntary.

He explained, “When they wanted to get high and f— everything up, I covered for them. Now they’re trying to take my legacy away, my part of Mötley Crüe, my ownership of the name, the brand. How can you fire Mr. Heinz from Heinz ketchup? He owns it. Frank Sinatra’s or Jimi Hendrix’s legacy goes on forever, and their heirs continue to profit from it. They’re trying to take that away from me. I’m not going to let them.”

Mars has been in a legal battle with his ex-bandmates since April after he filed a lawsuit against the band for trying to remove him from the group. Mars suffers from Ankylosing Spondylitis, a chronic and inflammatory form of arthritis. After years of performing through the pain, Mars retired from touring with Mötley Crüe in October 2022 due to health issues.

Since then, Mars filed a lawsuit against the band accusing them of removing him as a stakeholder in the band’s business dealings by cutting his share of the touring royalties from 25% to just 5%.

In the lawsuit, Mars claimed he was the only member of Mötley Crüe to play live during his last tour with the band. Meanwhile, the band says backing tracks were needed for Mars, whose playing has apparently deteriorated.

Mars claimed Nikki Sixx, “Did not play a single note” on tour. However, Sixx responded on Twitter, writing, “Sad day for us and we don’t deserve this considering how many years we’ve been propping him up. We still wish him the best and hope he find’s [sic] lawyers and managers who aren’t damaging him. We love you Mick.”

The lawsuit may be messy but it is not stopping Mötley Crüe from recording new music. In May, Nikki Sixx confirmed the band’s new songs are “100% officially done”. Unsurprisingly, the band does not appear to be recording with Mick Mars.