'90s Rocker Makes Personal Admission About Split From Music Icon After 17 Years
John 5 is opening up about the major decision he made involving Rob Zombie following their almost two decades of working together.
The 55-year-old rocker, whose real name is John William Lowery, was regarded as the most influential musician in Zombie's solo career history, serving as his lead guitarist, primary co-writer and creative partner.
For 17 years, the duo teamed up for several studio albums, including Educated Horses in 2006, to the release of the 2021 album The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse Conspiracy.
In 2022, he announced his exit from Zombie's band to join the legendary rock group Mötley Crüe as a replacement for guitarist Mick Mars following his retirement.
Four years since his split from the music icon's band, John 5 is sharing a deeply personal reflection regarding his bold decision.
During his appearance on the Thinking About Guitar podcast, the guitarist spoke about taking new opportunities and growing in his career.
"Life is short and I want to experience as much as possible," he shared as transcribed by Loudwire, adding, "I want to see things. I want to experience things. I'm still so hungry to do things."
John 5 also looked back on the good times and the valuable lessons he gained while working with Zombie.
The guitarist emphasized that there was no bad blood between them, but his decision was simply about embracing a new experience he could not pass up.
"I was never a band member with anything," John 5 mentioned. "I've never been a band member with [Marilyn] Manson or Rob or Motley Crue or anything. So me and Rob had such a special bond and we work so well together. We write so well together. Those shows... We had so much fun. We never had a negative word between us. I mean, he's just, he's the greatest. But I just wanted to experience this. I wanted to experience it. And I know that might be selfish, but I just wanted to – I didn't want to have this pass by."
After John 5's departure, Zombie continued his music career and was reunited with his former guitarist, Mike Riggs.
He also released his eighth studio album, The Great Satan, in February.
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This story was originally published May 20, 2026 at 6:30 AM.