From Detroit nightclubs to recording sessions and stages around the world, John 5 has dedicated his life to the guitar. That devotion has taken him from session work on TV shows and records to playing guitar for Mötley Crüe, Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, and David Lee Roth. In the latest episode of String Theory, John 5 takes us through the music and musicians that shaped his playing, the experiences that defined his career, and the discipline behind his unmistakable approach to the instrument. John 5 plays: Paradigm Regular Slinky Electric Guitar Strings (10-46) – P02021 Paradigm Super Slinky Electric Guitar Strings (9-42) – P02023 Chapters:
0:00 – Intro: “Guitar is my whole life”
1:12 – The Hee Haw moment that started it all
3:22 – Kiss, Van Halen, and finding his influences
5:08 – Monsters with guitars
6:33 – Detroit nightclubs and the move to California
7:50 – Becoming a session player
9:06 – Gear, reliability, and a whole tour on one set of strings
11:18 – Joining Mötley Crüe
13:32 – “Too perfect”: the session mindset on stage
17:33 – Adjusting your sound to the venue
18:50 – Playing it like the record
21:43 – No plan B
25:00 – Advice for aspiring players
26:59 – The hunger never goes away Explore more String Theory episodes:
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