American guitarist John 5 has played with some of the biggest names in music, sitting in on everything from bluegrass and flamenco to metal and hard rock. Truly a guitarist's guitarist, the stage veteran has the distinction of being one of hard rock's most recognizable players. On tour with his solo group John 5 & the Creatures, he plays a mix of hard rock, bluegrass, country, and prog.

A lauded performer, John 5 has developed a style that's completely unique — unsurprising considering who he's played with. He's had residencies with the likes of Marilyn Manson and David Lee Roth, and has performed with Wilson Phillips, Salt-n-Pepa, Rick Springfield, Garbage, and Alice Cooper. He's toured with Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford as 2wo, he played in k.d. lang's 1996 and ‘97 world tours, and he's performed at Ozzfest with Rob Zombie.

Additionally, John 5 landed on the U.S. Heatseekers chart for his albums The Art of Malice, God Told Me To, and Careful With That Axe. In concert, as his fingers execute an array of styles, audiences can expect to be treated to an amazingly eclectic performance from this master guitarist.

John 5 Background

John 5 was born John William Lowery in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, in 1971. Growing up with parents who were supportive of his interest in music, the budding guitarist was inspired by the musicians he saw on Hee Haw, like Buck Owens, Roy Clark, and Jimmy Henley. He wanted to follow in their footsteps, so he headed west and began playing as a session guitarist in L.A. at age 17.

Around that time, he started his first group, Alligator Soup, which led to him getting recognized by Whitesnake's Rudy Sarzo, who invited him to join the band Sun King. Soon thereafter, he was playing with Lita Ford and opening for Kiss, a band with whom he'd maintain long-lasting personal and professional relationships.

Lowery then joined ex–Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford — a legend in heavy metal — on industrial metal project 2wo. The band's second album blew up, receiving a loving remix from Nine Inch Nails' Trent Reznor, who also released the remix on his Nothing Records label.

In 1998, Lowery teamed up with David Lee Roth, former frontman of Van Halen. With Roth, he recorded the 1998 album DLR Band, going on to collaborate and work as songwriter for the vocalist. At the same time, Lowery began playing in Marilyn Manson's live band (where he was dubbed John 5), joining Manson's Mechanical Albums tour and performing at the MTV Video Music Awards. In 2005, John 5 formed his own band, Loser, and also began working with cult rock artist Rob Zombie, with whom he recorded, toured, and even shared the stage at Ozzfest.