John 5 Pop

For over 30 years, John 5 has been one of the most sought-after guitarists in the world. In addition to his work as a songwriter and on-call guitarist, John 5 has shared the stage with Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, and Rob Halford. In October 2022, it was announced that John 5 would be joining Mötley Crüe as their new guitarist following Mick Mars's announcement of his retirement – fulfilling perhaps this gifted guitarist's greatest childhood dream. He has also collaborated with an impressive array of artists across all genres of music, including KD Lang, Rod Stewart, David Lee Roth, Alice Cooper, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Meat Loaf, Dolly Parton, and Ricky Martin. John 5 remains an integral part of Mötley Crüe, most recently during a residency in Las Vegas in 2025. However, to describe him as merely a "shredder" would not do justice to his talent. Award-winning guitarist and songwriter Slash is quoted as saying: "John 5 is undoubtedly one of the most incredible guitarists ever."

Born John William Lowery in 1970 in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, John's journey began at the age of seven, inspired by the music of Hee Haw and Jimi Hendrix. Supported by his parents, John began making waves in the local Detroit music scene as a teenager. He formed his first band, Dirty Trixx, which won a Battle of the Bands competition. This early success fueled his ambition, and at 18, John took the bold step of moving to Los Angeles. Fate took another turn in 1998 when Marilyn Manson was looking for a new guitarist. Renamed John 5 by Manson, he became an integral part of the band, bringing his signature shredding style to songs such as the Grammy-nominated "Astonishing Panorama of the Endtimes," the controversial 2000 album "Holy Wood: In The Shadow Of The Valley Of Death," and the burlesque- and Weimar Republic-inspired "The Golden Age of Grotesque." Following a chance encounter with the legendary Les Paul, John began working on his own music, releasing "Vertigo" in 2004. This album marked the start of a prolific solo career, during which he has released ten studio albums, two live albums, and a remix album. He has collaborated with artists such as Steve Vai and Albert Lee, exploring a wide range of musical styles from blues-infused rock to experimental electronica. Most recently, he offered fans a glimpse into his life with the brand-new song "A Hollywood Story." The track and accompanying video tell the story of John 5's incredible journey, from being a 7-year-old toddler to working with many big, very different stars.