Mick Mars, guitarist for the glammed-out ’80s hard-rockers Mötley Crüe, is retiring from touring. In a statement to Variety, the band explains that Mars (pictured far right above) will no longer perform with them due to his ongoing battle with Ankylosing Spondylitis:

Mick Mars, co-founder and lead guitarist of the heavy metal band Mötley Crüe for the past 41 years, has announced today that due to his ongoing painful struggle with Ankylosing Spondylitis (A.S.), he will no longer be able to tour with the band. Mick will continue as a member of the band, but can no longer handle the rigors of the road. A.S. is an extremely painful and crippling degenerative disease, which affects the spine.

In an official statement shared on Thursday afternoon, Mötley Crüe confirmed rumors that former Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie guitarist John 5 will replace Mars at all their upcoming tour dates. “I’m honored to carry on Mick’s legacy and am looking forward to playing these songs,” John 5 said in the statement.

“While change is never easy, we accept Mick’s decision to retire from the band due to the challenges with his health,” the rest of the band wrote. “We have watched Mick manage his Ankylosing Spondylitis for decades and he has always managed it with the utmost courage and grace.”

“To say ‘enough is enough’ is the ultimate act of courage,” the continued. “Mick’s sound helped define Mötley Crüe from the minute he plugged in his guitar at our very first rehearsal together. The rest, as they say, is history. We’ll continue to honor his musical legacy.