For over three decades, John 5 has solidified his reputation as one of the most versatile and sought-after guitar players in the music industry. His incredible skill and adaptability have made him the go-to axe-man for a diverse range of iconic artists, spanning genres from hard rock and heavy metal to country and industrial. Whether it’s shredding on stage with Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson, laying down tracks for KD Lang and Rod Stewart, or stepping into the legendary shoes of Mick Mars in Mötley Crüe, John 5’s guitar prowess is undeniable. His ability to seamlessly navigate different musical landscapes proves why he is much more than just a shredder; John 5 is a true master of the guitar.
Early Life and Influences: From Hee Haw to Heavy Metal
Born John William Lowery on July 31, 1970, in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, John 5’s fascination with the guitar ignited at the young age of seven. Watching the country variety show “Hee Haw” with his father, he was captivated by the guitar playing and knew instantly that music was his calling. While other children dreamt of space exploration, young John 5 dedicated himself to mastering the guitar, driven by a singular passion to “play and play and play.” Alongside the country twang of “Hee Haw,” formative influences like KISS and Jimi Hendrix further fueled his musical fire, shaping his eclectic and dynamic style.
His supportive parents recognized his burgeoning talent and gifted him his first guitar for Christmas. They encouraged his musical pursuits, allowing him to hone his skills in local bars and clubs, provided he maintained his academic performance. This early exposure to live performance led to the formation of his first band, Dirty Trixx, which achieved local recognition by winning a significant battle of the bands competition while John 5 was still in middle school. In high school, with his band Vampirella, John began experimenting with stage makeup, foreshadowing the iconic look he would later adopt. “We looked crazy on stage,” he recalled, “I’d already started wearing eyeliner anyway, but the stuff we wore on stage was crazy.”
“I was surprised that this guy could sit down and play Glen Campbell and Roy Clark better than they do, and it blew my mind. And then he loves southern rock, the blues and country. It really blew us away.”
Rickey Medlocke
Move to Los Angeles and Session Work: Honing His Craft
At 18, driven by ambition and a desire to pursue a career as a session guitarist, John 5 made the move to Los Angeles. Despite an inauspicious start involving a robbery on his first night, he persevered, even resorting to living in abandoned warehouses while tirelessly seeking opportunities. His dedication paid off when he gained experience with the band Alligator Soup. A pivotal moment occurred when, during a performance, John stepped up after the singer was unexpectedly removed from stage. This quick thinking and guitar skills impressed Rudy Sarzo, who offered John guidance and mentorship. Sarzo introduced him to producer Bob Marlette, a connection that proved instrumental in launching John 5’s career as a session musician. This partnership with Marlette continues to this day, underscoring the enduring impact of these early connections.
His early big breaks included opening for KISS with Lita Ford, a dream come true for the lifelong KISS fan. He also collaborated with former Ozzy Osbourne drummer Randy Castillo in Red Square Black, releasing the EP ‘Square’. Shortly after, in a testament to his growing reputation as a versatile guitarist, John 5 was selected from over 2000 musicians to work with k.d. lang, showcasing his ability to adapt to diverse musical styles beyond rock and metal.
“Cool Tone. Cool Groove. Cool.”
Yngwie Malmsteen
Breakthrough with 2wo and Dave Lee Roth: Expanding Horizons
John 5’s career trajectory reached new heights when he joined forces with Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford to form the industrial-influenced rock band 2wo. Their album, ‘Voyeurs,’ produced by Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, further demonstrated John’s ability to innovate and experiment within different genres. Following this, he had the opportunity to work with another of his childhood heroes, David Lee Roth. He contributed as a writer and guitarist on ‘The DLR Band’ album, a project completed with remarkable speed. “We did it in two weeks,” John recalled, “and I remember Dave saying before we started recording, if you can’t do it in two takes, then you can’t do it.”
Joining Marilyn Manson and the Shock Rock Era: Becoming John 5
In 1998, Marilyn Manson, fresh from recording ‘Mechanical Animals,’ sought a new live guitarist following Zim Zum’s departure. John 5, returning from a European tour with 2wo, was quickly contacted by Manson’s management and invited to meet the shock rocker himself. “I get there and it’s Manson himself sitting at the table,” John recounted. This meeting was transformative, leading not only to John joining the band but also receiving his now-iconic stage name. Initially brought on for the Rock Is Dead tour, John 5’s contribution extended to studio work, including the Grammy-nominated track “Astonishing Panorama of the Endtimes.”
The band faced intense scrutiny and even death threats following the Columbine High School tragedy in April 1999. Despite the external pressures, they regrouped at the Houdini House in Laurel Canyon to begin work on ‘Holywood: In The Shadow of the Valley of Death,’ the first full studio album to feature John 5’s guitar work. He praised Manson’s production skills, stating, “Manson is a phenomenal producer and visionary. His production knowledge is astounding.”
“If there was ever a musician who was an honorary member of Shred Guitar Society… Mr. John 5!”
Paul Gilbert
Throughout his time with Marilyn Manson, John 5 continued to engage in session work, contributing to the Jimi Hendrix tribute album ‘Hazy Days’ and reuniting with Dave Lee Roth for the track ‘Thug Pop’. After the success of ‘Holywood’, the band shifted gears to create ‘The Golden Age of Grotesque’, a Burlesque and Weimar Republic-inspired album. However, the subsequent tour brought personal and professional conflicts, leading to tensions within the band. In 2004, after five years, John 5 and Manson amicably parted ways. “I’ll never regret working with Manson, it was such a blast, but we both knew it was time to move on,” John reflected. He retained his John 5 moniker and, after a chance meeting with guitar legend Les Paul, embarked on his solo career with the album ‘Vertigo’. This debut showcased his signature Drop D tuning blended with bluegrass influences from his childhood, resonating with his existing fanbase and attracting new listeners.
Solo Career and The Creatures: Unleashing Creative Freedom
John 5’s solo career proved to be far more than a fleeting venture. To date, he has released nine studio albums, a live album, and a remix album, consistently pushing his musical boundaries. His solo work has featured collaborations with an impressive roster of guest musicians, including Albert Lee, who described John 5 as “one of the nicest guys I’ve worked with,” and Steve Vai, who hailed him as “underrated.” Other notable collaborators include Joe Satriani, Jim Root, and Eric Johnson, highlighting the respect he commands among his peers. Alongside his instrumental solo albums, John 5 also formed Loser, a “radio rock project” with vocalist Joe Grah (formerly of Jibe). Their single, “Disposable Sunshine,” was featured on the Fantastic Four soundtrack, demonstrating his reach into mainstream rock.
Joining Rob Zombie and Continued Success: A Long-Standing Collaboration
In 2006, John 5 was invited to join Rob Zombie for a short Ozzfest tour. Despite initial temporary intentions, the partnership clicked, revitalizing Zombie’s music career as he was increasingly focused on filmmaking. They began working on 2006’s ‘Educated Horses,’ leading John 5 to make the difficult decision to leave his band Loser. “Being the founding member of Loser, my decision to leave was not an easy one,” he admitted.
“John 5 is a fucking shredder!”
Rob Zombie
John 5 remained a key creative force with Rob Zombie until Fall 2022, co-writing on all studio albums from ‘Educated Horses’ through 2021’s ‘The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse Conspiracy’. He also extended his talents to film scoring, composing for Zombie’s movies ‘The Lords Of Salem’ (2013) and ’31’ (2016).
Mötley Crüe and Legacy: Stepping into a Legend
In October 2022, a significant new chapter began as John 5 was announced as the live guitarist for Mötley Crüe, following Mick Mars’s retirement from touring. John 5 joined Crüe for their 2023 tour with Def Leppard, spanning Latin America and Europe. “I’m honored to carry on Mick’s legacy and am looking forward to playing these songs,” John 5 stated, acknowledging the weight of stepping into such iconic shoes.
Prior to joining Mötley Crüe, in 2015, John 5 launched his solo touring career with The Creatures, initially featuring longtime friend Rodger Carter on drums. This band continues to tour and now collaborates on his solo albums, including ‘Season Of The Witch’, the live album ‘It’s Alive’, ‘Invasion’, and 2021’s ‘Sinner’. The current lineup features John 5, Ian Ross on bass, and drummer Alejandro Mercado, solidifying The Creatures as an integral part of his artistic expression.
While his commitments with bands like Rob Zombie and Mötley Crüe have reduced his availability for “hired gun” session work, John 5 has still contributed to projects with Lynyrd Skynyrd, Meat Loaf, Ricky Martin, Rod Stewart, and Mötley Crüe itself, showcasing his enduring demand across diverse genres.
“I’m busy, constantly busy with work, but I look at who I am in the studio with or sending music to and I think I don’t ever want it to stop.”
“Having been a fan of John for a long time, it was amazing getting to have him shred on my Cello Metal album! He’s the ultimate musician, gentleman, and rock star!”
Tina Guo
Biography last updated: October 2022
