Mick Mars emerged as one of rock’s most distinctive guitarists during the electrifying 1980s. As the lead guitarist of Mötley Crüe, he helped define the sound of glam metal and became an iconic figure in the Los Angeles music scene.
Throughout the decade, Mars’s signature guitar riffs and memorable solos powered countless Mötley Crüe hits including “Girls, Girls, Girls,” “Dr. Feelgood,” and “Home Sweet Home.” Despite battling ankylosing spondylitis, a chronic inflammatory condition, he maintained his position as a vital force in the band’s meteoric rise to superstardom. His unique playing style and dark stage presence set him apart from other guitarists of the era and contributed significantly to Mötley Crüe’s distinctive sound.
Mick Mars 80s
Mick Mars, born Robert Alan Deal on May 4, 1951, emerged as the lead guitarist of Mötley Crüe during the 1980s glam metal explosion. His distinctive guitar tone and dark musical persona shaped the band’s signature sound through their most successful era.
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Robert Deal spent his early years in Indiana before relocating to California at age 9. He picked up the guitar at age 6 and performed in several local bands during the 1970s under stage names like Zorky Charlemagne and White Horse. His early influences included Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page and Jimi Hendrix, which shaped his blues-based hard rock style. By the late 1970s, he placed a famous newspaper ad describing himself as a “loud, rude and aggressive guitar player.”
Song
Album
Year
Live Wire
Too Fast for Love
1981
Looks That Kill
Shout at the Devil
1983
Theatre of Pain
Theatre of Pain
1985
Defining the 80s Hair Metal Sound
Mick Mars shaped the signature sound of 80s hair metal through his distinctive guitar work in Mötley Crüe. His raw tone combined with strategic use of effects created a blueprint for the genre’s sonic landscape.
Signature Guitar Techniques
Mars developed specific techniques that enhanced Mötley Crüe’s hard-hitting sound. His extensive use of the wah-wah pedal appears in tracks like “Wild Side” and “Dr. Feelgood.” He incorporated palm-muted power chords mixed with chromatic runs to create a heavy rhythmic foundation. His creative application of the Blues scale with metal-oriented pentatonic patterns established a recognizable style across Mötley Crüe’s catalog.
“Kickstart My Heart” features a high-gain tremolo picking intro riff
“Girls Girls Girls” showcases a bluesy slide guitar hook
“Shout at the Devil” includes a memorable chromatic descending riff
“Live Wire” exhibits aggressive palm-muted power chord progressions
Song Title
Album
Year
Notable Guitar Element
Kickstart My Heart
Dr. Feelgood
1989
Tremolo-picked intro
Girls Girls Girls
Girls Girls Girls
1987
Blues slide riff
Dr. Feelgood
Dr. Feelgood
1989
Layered harmonies
Live Wire
Too Fast for Love
1981
Power chord progression
Life on the Sunset Strip
Mick Mars emerged as a pivotal figure in Los Angeles’ Sunset Strip music scene during the 1980s. His presence in Mötley Crüe helped establish the band as one of the Strip’s most influential acts from 1981 to 1989.
Wild Times with The World’s Most Notorious Band
Mars’ guitar work became synonymous with Mötley Crüe’s notorious reputation on the Sunset Strip. The band performed at legendary venues like the Whisky a Go Go, The Roxy Theatre & The Rainbow Bar & Grill, drawing crowds of 500+ fans per show. Notable performances included:
Venue
Year
Significance
Whisky a Go Go
1981
First residency, 4 sold-out shows
The Roxy
1982
Record label showcase performance
The Starwood
1981
Opening slot for Y&T
During this period, Mars contributed to the band’s signature sound with tracks like:
“Too Fast for Love” featuring his aggressive palm-muted riffing
“Shout at the Devil” showcasing his drop-D tuning techniques
“Theatre of Pain” incorporating his modified Marshall amp tones
The guitarist’s presence at Strip hotspots created numerous headlines, including:
Regular appearances at the Rainbow Bar’s notorious backstage parties
Late-night jam sessions at the Cathouse club
Impromptu performances at the Troubadour’s metal nights
His distinctive black Les Paul Custom guitar & leather-clad image became iconic symbols of the Strip’s metal scene, inspiring countless guitarists who followed. Mars’ innovative use of effects pedals & recording techniques at nearby studios like Record Plant & Cherokee Studios helped define the era’s guitar sound.
Health Struggles and Perseverance
Mick Mars battled significant health challenges throughout his career with Mötley Crüe. His determination to continue performing despite chronic illness demonstrated remarkable resilience during the band’s peak years.
Living with Ankylosing Spondylitis
Diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) at age 27, Mars faced a debilitating inflammatory condition that affects the spine. The disease caused his lower spine to gradually freeze, resulting in a curved posture that reduced his height by 3 inches. During the 1980s, Mars managed his symptoms through:
Daily physical therapy sessions between tour dates
Modified guitar playing techniques to accommodate physical limitations
Custom-designed stage equipment to support his performance needs
Specialized medical treatments during recording sessions
His condition particularly impacted performances during the band’s major tours:
Tour
Year
Notable Adaptations
Theatre of Pain
1985
Custom guitar strap system
Girls, Girls, Girls
1987
Modified stage platform
Dr. Feelgood
1989
Specialized back support gear
Despite these challenges, Mars recorded iconic guitar parts on all Mötley Crüe albums during the 1980s. His playing style evolved to incorporate more sustained notes and strategic positioning on stage, creating his signature sound while managing physical limitations. The guitarist maintained a rigorous touring schedule, performing over 500 shows throughout the decade despite chronic pain and mobility restrictions.
Greatest Hits and Musical Legacy
Mick Mars’ guitar work propelled Mötley Crüe to unprecedented commercial success throughout the 1980s. His signature riffs contributed to multiple platinum albums that defined the era’s hard rock sound.
Classic Albums and Chart-Topping Success
Mötley Crüe’s discography during the 1980s achieved remarkable commercial milestones under Mars’ lead guitar:
Album
Year
Certification
Peak Billboard 200
Too Fast for Love
1981
Platinum
#77
Shout at the Devil
1983
4x Platinum
#17
Theatre of Pain
1985
4x Platinum
#6
Girls, Girls, Girls
1987
4x Platinum
#2
Dr. Feelgood
1989
6x Platinum
#1
Mars’ guitar contributions powered several hit singles:
“Home Sweet Home” peaked at #89 on Billboard Hot 100 (1985)
“Smokin’ in the Boys Room” reached #16 on Billboard Hot 100 (1985)
“Girls, Girls, Girls” hit #12 on Billboard Hot 100 (1987)
“Without You” climbed to #8 on Billboard Hot 100 (1989)
“Dr. Feelgood” topped Billboard Rock charts (1989)
His distinctive playing style featured prominently on multi-platinum tracks:
Heavy palm-muted riffing on “Shout at the Devil”
Blues-influenced solos in “Looks That Kill”
Complex harmonies throughout “Dr. Feelgood”
Driving power chords on “Wild Side”
Melodic leads in “Without You”
The success of these releases established Mars as a pivotal figure in 1980s rock guitar, influencing countless musicians in the decades that followed.
Gear and Equipment
Mick Mars’ distinctive sound during the 1980s emerged from his carefully selected guitars, amplifiers, and effects pedals. His gear choices helped shape Mötley Crüe’s signature sound throughout their most successful decade.
Iconic Guitars of the 1980s
Mars relied primarily on Gibson Les Paul Custom guitars in black finish during Mötley Crüe’s rise to fame. His main instruments included:
1972 Gibson Les Paul Custom (black) with modified Seymour Duncan pickups
Kramer Baretta (custom-made with Floyd Rose tremolo)
B.C. Rich Warlock in metallic black
Gibson Flying V (used during the Theatre of Pain tour)
Fender Stratocaster (modified with humbucker pickups for recording)
Amplification Setup
Mars’ amplification chain consisted of:
Marshall JCM800 2203 100-watt heads
Modified Soldano SLO-100 amplifiers
Marshall 4×12 cabinets loaded with Celestion speakers
Custom-built effects loop switcher
Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (used for cleaner tones)
MXR Distortion+ for lead tones
Dunlop Cry Baby Wah pedal
Roland Space Echo RE-201
Boss CE-2 Chorus
MXR Phase 90
Custom rack-mounted delay units
TC Electronic 2290 Digital Delay
Album Era
Primary Guitar
Main Amplifier
Too Fast for Love (1981)
Gibson Les Paul Custom
Marshall JCM800
Shout at the Devil (1983)
B.C. Rich Warlock
Marshall JCM800
Theatre of Pain (1985)
Gibson Flying V
Soldano SLO-100
Girls Girls Girls (1987)
Kramer Baretta
Marshall/Soldano
Dr. Feelgood (1989)
Gibson Les Paul Custom
Modified Soldano
Mick Mars stands as one of the most influential guitarists of the 1980s whose legacy extends far beyond his role in Mötley Crüe. His distinctive guitar work defined the sound of glam metal while inspiring countless musicians who followed.
Despite battling ankylosing spondylitis Mars’ resilience and dedication to his craft never wavered. His innovative techniques unique gear choices and unmistakable tone helped create some of rock’s most memorable anthems.
As a cornerstone of the Sunset Strip music scene Mars’ contributions to Mötley Crüe’s success shaped the soundtrack of an era making him an enduring icon of 80s rock ‘n’ roll.
