Acclaimed guitarist John 5 recently opened up about his approach to performing with legendary acts like Mötley Crüe, revealing that his strategy for success lies in strict discipline and respect for the source material.
In a new interview with the U.K.’s “Soundsphere“, John 5 was asked how he makes himself an “undeniable” asset to the artists he works with. He explained that his primary goal is always to serve the band and the fans rather than showcasing his own ego.
“I think when I start working with someone, it’s so important to me — I mean, now I’m being so honest, it’s so important to me to make that band so happy and make their fans so happy. And sometimes it’s more than what the artist — sometimes I’m pushing more than what the artist wants. I just want it to be so great. And I’m not saying, like, ‘Oh, look at me, look at me.’ I will hold and stand back and listen, ’cause I’m not there for myself. I’m there for that band. So I will play when I’m supposed to play, but I think what’s most important, not play when I’m not supposed to play. And that’s why every artist that I’ve worked for has been good because I understand that. I understand my role. I’m not, like, ‘Hey, look at me.’ Not at all. That’s what the solo stuff’s there for,” he said (as transcribed by Blabbermouth).
He went on to detail how this philosophy applies specifically to his current role in Mötley Crüe:
“Even with Mötley Crüe, I don’t play one lick extra that is not recorded on those records — except for the end of ‘Wild Side‘, where there’s no singing going on, they said, ‘Okay, go a little nuts here.’ But everything else, I just play exactly how it’s recorded because it’s so important to me and to the fans because they listened to this for 45 years, these songs, and all of a sudden someone’s playing solos over it. They’re, like, ‘Hey, what’s that? I don’t recognize that or really like that. But I don’t know — that’s why I think I’ve had really good luck playing with artists, because if they say, ‘Hey, do this,’ then I’ll do it. If they say, ‘Just play it like how it is,’ I’ll play it like how it is. I think it’s important.”
This isn’t the first time John 5 has emphasized the importance of accuracy. In a 2023 interview with Guitar World, he admitted to spending months meticulously studying Mötley Crüe‘s back catalog to ensure every note was perfect.
“I wanted to play those solos exactly as they were written,” he explained. “Those solos are so important to me as a fan, and they’re so important to the audience. The squeals in ‘Looks That Kill‘ or the harmonics in ‘Dr. Feelgood‘ — these are very important to me and the world.”
He compared deviating from the original recordings to improvising over classical masterpieces:
“It’s like you’re looking at some sheet music; you’re looking at Mozart, and you’re, like, ‘Well, I’m gonna improvise over this part.’ No. That’s how those songs were written, how they were recorded, and how they should be performed. I wanted to give those songs respect.”
However, he noted that the band does give him one specific moment to let loose:
“I checked with the guys and said, ‘I’m going to play them as they are on the records.’ They said, ‘Okay, well, you can have a solo.’ And that’s when I go completely berserk. It’s kind of a perfect situation.”
