John 5 recently had a candid conversation on the Talkin’ Rock podcast, discussing his departure from Rob Zombie and his subsequent journey with Mötley Crüe. He expressed no regrets about the transition and shared his thoughts on the matter.

Reflecting on his departure from Rob Zombie and joining Mötley Crüe, the guitarist acknowledged the difficulty of the decision:

“It was undoubtedly a challenging choice because Rob and I had a close relationship for 17 years. We had a fantastic working and personal relationship, and together, we created some incredible music. But when this opportunity came knocking, I felt like I had to do it for myself. I wanted to see life through my own eyes and experience everything I could. I’m thrilled that I made that decision. It’s been the most incredible journey!”

He also touched on the experience of performing on massive stages with Mötley Crüe and Def Leppard, emphasizing the importance of pursuing one’s dreams:

“It’s like a dream come true, and that’s what matters. Many musicians, actors, and artists hesitate because they think it’s a one-in-a-million shot. But you have to go for it!”

Regarding the moment when he informed Rob Zombie about joining Mötley Crüe, John 5 shared his conversation with the singer:

“I talked to Rob, and he understood. Rob is a smart and rational person. He might not have been thrilled, but he understood, and I think that was amazing of him. He just said, ‘Go get them,’ and he was fine with it.”

He also addressed any potential animosity between him and Rob Zombie:

“I called Rob and let him know what was happening. We even did a show together, Louder Than Life, which turned out to be my last show with him. There was no bad blood or drama involved. Rob was incredibly cool about it; he said, ‘I get it.'”

Following John 5’s departure, Rob Zombie is currently focused on his upcoming album. Mike Riggs has replaced John 5, making a return to the band after previously working on ‘Hellbilly Deluxe’ and ‘The Sinister Urge’ before departing in 2003.