Mötley Crüe guitarist John 5 has often expressed his deep admiration for former guitarist Mick Mars. In a recent chat with 95.5 KLOS, he once again praised Mars and reflected on feeling sympathy for the guitarist’s ‘painful’ performances with the band.
“Poor Mick. He has a horrible disease, and the poor guy,” John 5 explained. “If I get a weird paper cut, I’m like, ‘I don’t know if I can do the show,’ but you’ve got Mick Mars out there. I always say he’s the toughest guy I know because he’s up there killing it, despite being in pain. It’s incredible. I have so much respect for him.”
John 5 also shared how he came to replace Mars in the band. “He didn’t want to tour anymore, so they asked me. I was like, ‘Absolutely, I’d love to do it.’ They gave me the songs, but I already knew every single one. I knew how to play them all.”
This interview followed John 5’s comments a week prior, where he explained that Mötley Crüe fans have embraced him because of the respect he shows for Mick Mars. He expressed how he stays true to Mars’ iconic solos.
“They’ve been so accepting, and it’s because I love Mick. I play the solos exactly how they were written and recorded,” John 5 explained when asked if he felt welcomed by the fans. “I’m not out there playing crazy stuff over ‘Looks That Kill’ or ‘Home Sweet Home.’”
John 5 officially joined Mötley Crüe in October 2022, after Mars stepped away from the band due to health issues.
Mötley Crüe is gearing up to release a new EP titled Cancelled, featuring three new tracks — ‘Dogs Of War,’ the title track, and a cover of Beastie Boys’ ‘(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party!).’
