John 5, former Rob Zombie guitarist, recently discussed how he joined Mötley Crüe in late 2022 as the replacement for founding guitarist Mick Mars. Speaking with Beyond The Fame With Jason Fraley, John 5 reflected on the transition and his close relationship with the band members.

“Yeah, [Mick] retired and he gave the band 40-something years. I love Mick Mars and he retired and luckily they asked me to fill in,” John 5 said. “I know Mick well and he was very supportive and really happy I was there. And I’ve known the guys for a long, long time.”

He recalled spending years backstage with Mars before ever joining the group.

“I would go to their shows and I’d be in Mick’s dressing room the whole time, talking with him and stuff. Of course I’d say hi to the other guys, but Mick’s my friend. And of course I’ve known Nikki [Sixx] and Tommy [Lee] forever too. So it just fit really well.”

🎸 Balancing Mötley Crüe and His Solo Career

John 5 also confirmed that he plans to continue performing with Mötley Crüe while maintaining his solo instrumental career.

“A hundred percent, yeah,” he said. “We just finished up a Las Vegas residency, Mötley Crüe did, and now I’m gonna go jump and play my crazy instrumental music [on a fall 2025 tour]. And then I’ll go back to Crüe. And so it’s wonderful. It really works out well.”

⚡ A Seamless Fit for the Future

Since joining the band, John 5 has been praised for his high-energy performances and seamless integration into Mötley Crüe’s live shows. His chemistry with Nikki Sixx, Tommy Lee, and Vince Neil has helped usher in a new era for the iconic rock group following Mars’ retirement.