Mötley Crüe guitarist John 5 has revealed that his predecessor, Mick Mars, was “very supportive” of him taking over the guitar spot, a role he says “just fit really well” due to his long-standing friendships with all four members.
In a new interview with “Beyond The Fame With Jason Fraley,” John 5 spoke about the circumstances of his joining the band in 2022. He was quick to praise Mars and confirm that the transition was amicable.
“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. “And 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. I mean, I would go to their shows and I’d be in Mick‘s dressing room the whole time, talking with him and stuff… Mick‘s my friend, and of course I’ve known Nikki [Sixx] and Tommy [Lee] forever too. So it just fit really well.”
This account is supported by Mars himself, who, in a 2023 interview, confirmed his feelings about his replacement. “Well, I’ve never disliked John. I’ve always liked him and still do. He’s been a really good friend of mine for a long time. So I think they’ve made a very, very wise choice with John,” Mars said at the time.
In a previous interview, John 5 had also expressed his deep respect for Mars, particularly for his long and painful battle with ankylosing spondylitis.
“I would always say he’s the toughest guy I know because he’s getting up there and just killing it and in pain, but just playing,” John 5 said.
The decision to leave Rob Zombie‘s band after 17 years was a difficult one, but John 5 explained he needed to do it for himself. “I just wanted to think about myself for a minute and go, ‘I really wanna experience this. Life is short and I want to experience as much as possible.’ And, of course, I love Mötley Crüe,” he said.
Now, three years into his tenure, John 5 is clearly energized by the new chapter. “It just feels like life is brand new again. It’s so exciting,” he stated. “It’s like when you get a new girlfriend or something. You’re, like, ‘Wow, this is great. Look at how blue the sky is.’ So it’s been absolutely wonderful.”
