Welcome back to Guitardoor.com, where we celebrate the unsung heroes and sonic architects behind rock’s biggest bands. Today, we pay tribute to the legendary, iconic, and incredibly influential lead guitarist of the notorious rock and roll titans, Mötley Crüe: the one and only Mick Mars. For over four decades, he was the stoic, mysterious anchor in a band defined by chaos, a true master of tone and attitude whose heavy, grinding, and blues-drenched riffs powered some of the most decadent and enduring anthems in rock history.
The Soundtrack to Decadence
The sound of Mötley Crüe was the sound of the 1980s Sunset Strip—a powerful, sleazy, and hugely successful blend of heavy metal, glam, and down-and-dirty hard rock. While his bandmates brought the headlines and the chaos, Mick Mars brought the thunder. He was the primary musical force and the true architect of their sound, crafting the unforgettable, heavy-as-hell riffs that were the foundation of their entire catalogue.
In an era of excess, Mötley Crüe were the undisputed kings. In stark contrast to the indie purists who railed against the star-making machinery, as explored in our feature on Brian Jonestown Massacre the industry, the Crüe wholeheartedly embraced the spectacle, danger, and commercialism of the music business. Mick’s powerful, stadium-ready, and undeniably catchy guitar work was the essential ingredient that transformed them from a street-level rock band into global superstars.
Anatomy of a Riff Lord
The guitar playing of Mick Mars is a masterclass in raw power, feel, and the importance of a massive, undeniable tone. His sound is not about the athletic, clinical precision of a modern shredder; it’s the sound of a vintage muscle car—greasy, loud, menacing, and full of incredible torque. His genius lies in his amazing ear for a heavy, memorable riff, his mastery of raw, blues-based phrasing, and a guitar tone that is one of the most identifiable in all of rock music.
The Riff Master: First and foremost, Mick is a master of the riff. His playing is built on a foundation of heavy, often down-tuned, and perfectly crafted power chord riffs that are simple, hugely powerful, and instantly memorable.
The Squealing Soloist: His lead playing is pure, uncut attitude. It’s not about speed, but about swagger. His solos are full of heavy, expressive vibrato, screaming pinch harmonics, wild whammy bar abuse, and raw, bluesy pentatonic licks, all delivered with his signature sleazy feel.
The Tools of the Trade: While he has used many guitars, Mars is strongly associated with black Gibson Les Paul Customs in the early days and various Kramer “super-strat” models during the peak of their 80s fame.
The Marshall Roar: His tone is the definitive sound of 80s hard rock. He is a famous user of modified Marshall JCM800 amplifiers, cranked loud and often boosted to create a thick, saturated, and grinding high-gain tone. This powerful, Les Paul-into-a-Marshall sound was a hallmark of the era, a sonic territory he shared with peers like Billy Duffy, as we explored in our feature on The Cult “Electric Love”.
Essential Mars: The Crüe Classics
Mick Mars’s guitar work is the engine that drives every Mötley Crüe anthem. To get a sense of his incredible power and his genius for the perfect riff, these three tracks are absolutely essential.
“Live Wire”
A raw, punk-infused blast of pure energy from their debut album, Too Fast for Love. Mars’s main riff is a chainsaw of distorted power, perfectly capturing the early, street-level aggression of the band. His chaotic, whammy-bar-filled solo is a brilliant, messy, and absolutely perfect statement of intent.
“Dr. Feelgood”
The title track from their biggest and most polished album features one of the heaviest and most iconic riffs in rock history. The main riff is an absolute monster—down-tuned, impossibly groovy, and instantly recognizable from the first note. It’s a masterclass in heavy rock riff-craft and features one of his most memorable and attitude-drenched solos.
“Home Sweet Home”
The quintessential 80s power ballad, this song proved that Mötley Crüe could be more than just noise and aggression. Mars’s contribution is crucial and brilliant. He delivers a beautiful, melodic, and emotionally resonant guitar solo that is a perfect piece of songcraft, proving he could be as lyrical and tasteful as he was heavy.
Mick Mars is a true, unsung hero of hard rock guitar. As the musical foundation and sonic architect of Mötley Crüe, he defined the sound of an entire era. His recent battle with health issues may have forced his retirement from the road, but his new solo work shows his fire still burns brightly. He is a master of the riff, a king of tone, and a player whose massive, attitude-filled sound has influenced countless rock and metal guitarists who understand that feel will always be heavier than speed.
Cover Photo Credit “Mick Mars, Motley crue ~ MN State Fair” by Dusty J is licensed under CC BY 2.0
