Former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick is the latest musician to deny that he has been approached by MÖTLEY CRÜE to replace Mick Mars during the group's upcoming tour. Mars, 53, who suffers from the chronic degenerative illness ankylosing spondylitis, has been recovering after hip-replacement surgery last October.

One of Sweden's biggest daily newspapers, Expressen, reported in today's edition that CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee was quoted on the band's official web site as having stated during a recent radio interview that Kulick has already been confirmed as the replacement for Mars should Mick be forced to miss any of the dates on the band's upcoming tour.

Commenting on the rumors, Johannes Lindström, the publicist for the Sweden Rock festival, where CRÜE are scheduled to perform in June, said, "It's very possible that that [Mick will have to be replaced on the upcoming tour]. He doesn't look very well [based on recent photos]. But we have not yet received any information other than that Mick is on board for the tour."

Contacted directly by Expressen, Kulick shot down the rumors, stating, "I have not been contacted by CRÜE. I know Nikki Sixx [MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist] and if the plan was for me to jump in as the guitar player, he would have called me.

"I wish Mick all the best and I am convinced that he is well enough to play the shows," Kulick added.