How Old Was Mick Mars When Motley Crue Started

Picture this: It’s 1981, and a scrawny, long-haired guitarist walks into a Hollywood club called the Starwood. He’s wearing makeup way before it was cool for guys, and he looks like he just crawled out of a crypt. This is Mick Mars, and he’s about to audition for a band that doesn’t even have a name yet. But here’s the kicker—while the other guys were barely out of their teens, Mick was already pushing thirty.

So, how old was Mick Mars when Mötley Crüe started? The short answer: he was 30 years old. But as with everything in Crüe lore, the full story is a little messier—and a lot funnier—than just a number. Let’s unpack that, shall we? (And yes, grab your coffee, because we’re going to do the math together.)

The Birth of a Band—and a Mystery

Mötley Crüe officially formed in January 1981. Tommy Lee was 18, Nikki Sixx was 22, and Vince Neil was 19. Basically, they were a pack of feral puppies with hairspray and leather pants. Then Mick Mars walked in, looking like their weird, cool uncle who had actually been alive during the 1970s.

Mick was born on May 4, 1951, as Robert Alan Deal. So, do the math with me: 1981 minus 1951 equals 30 years old. That made him a decade older than Tommy Lee. Imagine being 30 and trying to keep up with an 18-year-old who drums like a hyperactive squirrel on espresso. That was Mick’s life.

But wait—Mick didn’t just stumble into the band. He answered an ad placed by Nikki Sixx that said, “Loud, rude, and aggressive guitar player wanted.” Classic Nikki. Mick showed up, played a few riffs, and the rest is history. He was the seasoned pro who could actually play, while the kids were still learning which end of the guitar to hold.

Mick Mars 80s

Why Did It Matter That He Was Older?

Here’s the part where it gets ironic: Mick’s age became a secret weapon. He had already played in a dozen failed bands, slept in his car, and eaten gas station hot dogs for years. He had the hunger of a guy who knew this was his last chance. Meanwhile, Nikki and Tommy were just thrilled to get free beer at gigs.

Mick once said, “I was the old man, but I was also the one who knew how to tune a guitar without crying.” (Okay, I’m paraphrasing, but you get the vibe.) His age gave him a certain gravitas—and a sense of urgency that pushed the band to work harder. Plus, let’s be real: his gritty, bluesy licks were what made “Shout at the Devil” sound so menacing. The kids brought the chaos; Mick brought the chops.

But here’s the twist—Mick lied about his age for years. He shaved off a few years, claiming he was born in 1955. Why? Because no one wants to admit they’re pushing 30 while hanging out with teenagers who still need fake IDs. Classic rock-star insecurity, am I right?

Mick Mars 80s

The Ankylosing Spondylitis Elephant in the Room

Now, a darker side of Mick’s age: his body was already falling apart. He was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, a painful spinal condition, in his 20s. By the time the Crüe hit the big time, he was in constant agony. He often couldn’t stand up straight after a show, and he’d play through the pain because, well, the band was his one shot.

Think about that for a second. While Vince was partying and Tommy was dating Pamela Anderson, Mick was popping painkillers and getting cortisone shots just to hold a Les Paul. He was 30 years old when the madness began, but he moved like a man twice that age. Talk about a plot twist.

Ironic side note: Many fans assumed Mick was the “old, creepy” guy in the band because of his hunched posture and ghoulish look. Turns out, he was the old guy—just not on purpose. The guy was literally fighting a degenerative disease while writing some of the greatest guitar riffs of the 80s. Respect.

The Untold Truth Of Motley Crue's Mick Mars

So, What’s the Takeaway?

Mick Mars was 30 when Mötley Crüe started—thirteen years older than Tommy, eight years older than Vince, and seven years older than Nikki. He was the sober, frustrated dad of a band full of meth-fueled maniacs. And honestly? That’s exactly what they needed.

Here’s the final irony: Today, Mick is 73, while Nikki is 65 and Tommy is 61. The age gap doesn’t seem so huge anymore, does it? But back in 1981, that gap felt like a canyon. Mick was a grown man who had already survived the 70s—with all its flared jeans and prog-rock nonsense—while the rest of Crüe were still figuring out how to sneak into bars.

So next time you hear “Kickstart My Heart,” remember: that riff was born in the hands of a guy who was old enough to be the drummer’s father. And he smashed it. Age is just a number—unless you’re in Mötley Crüe, in which case age is a damn good story. Now, go crank up “Live Wire” and thank the old man for his service.