"John 5 is an underrated guitar giant. It’s rare to hear a musician fuse various styles and create a unique blend and brand all of his own. It takes balls, but that’s what’s needed to be truly original." (STEVE VAI’s seal of approval for Vertigo – john-5.com)

John 5 is an enigma. On stage he is without doubt one of the maddest looking and sounding shredders of this generation, but don’t let that fool you, because behind the make up and the "chicken boy" dancing, John is one of the most down to earth rock stars in this day and age. Known as probably the nicest guy in the rock industry as well as a great role model to young and old fans alike, with his no drink, no drugs, no smoking lifestyle (a personal choice), his only real addiction is the guitar, but then not a bad addiction to have.

Proving himself as one of the most influential artists of this time, and hailed as the new shred king, John has attained the respect of supremos such as Albert Lee, Steve Vai and Les Paul, who himself encouraged John to put out his solo work to the masses.

Most known for his work in Marilyn Manson (where he got his moniker from), John has managed to successfully pull away from the band and carved out a very successful career over the past couple of years, whilst still holding a deep respect for his former boss.

But then even before he was a known guitarist, John has had the privilege of working with some of the biggest names in the industry: Rob Halford, KD Lang, Dave Lee Roth, Randy Castillo etc.

But where did all this begin?

John began playing at the age of seven after asking for a guitar for Christmas. One of his earliest inspirations came from watching "Hee Haw" with his dad, admiring the young kids that played banjo. Other influences at the time included The Monkees, KISS (John cites Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley as very close friends) and Jimi Hendrix, whom John says is one of the most difficult to play and yet one of the most graceful guitar players.

"I didn’t know any country music back then, and I didn’t know anything about musical genres. I was just in awe of the players" (GUITAR PLAYER)

His parents supported John’s musical ambitions, even permitting him to play in bars and clubs to a much older audience, on the one condition that his grades didn’t slide, and he got up for school every morning. His first ever show was with a Van Halen cover band.

At 18, John travelled to California to pursue a career as a professional session guitarist. His first night in LA could have been his last, after finding himself the victim of a robbery, however John was determined to follow his dream, and for the first few months, lived in abandoned warehouses, an altogether different existence from his childhood in Grosse Point Michigan.

"I just didn’t want to give up. It’s really hard for me to quit something." (GUITARIST MAGAZINE)

One of his first gigs was with a group called "Alligator Soup". An unfortunate accident involving the lead singer forced John to take centre stage whilst the frontman attended to a bleeding head wound. In the audience was Rudy Sarzo, bass player with Whitesnake. So impressed was Sarzo with John’s impromptu guitar solo, he took John out to dinner and asked if they could work together.

Meeting producer Bob Marlette via Rudy (Tracey Chapman, Rob Halford and Black Sabbath) was a turning point in John’s career as he was introduced to other musicians. As a session guitarist, John worked on a number of different projects such as commercials, TV shows (Baywatch and Hard Copy) and a number of film soundtracks, including Speed 2. He built his reputation by working fast and for little money.

"Call John Lowery. He does a good job, and he’ll do it for a grilled cheese sandwich." (GUITAR PLAYER)

John’s first major break came in 1990 when Lita Ford asked him to open up with her for childhood heroes KISS. A lifetime friendship developed from there.

John began to work with a number of artists including John Wetton from Asia, Robin Zander, Wilson Philips, Rick Springfield and female rap trio, Salt N’ Pepa.

At one stage, John tried out for legendary rocker, Ozzy Osbourne, as a temporary replacement for Zakk Wylde. Although he didn’t make it, John hooked up with Ozzy’s drummer, Randy Castillo, to work in his first band, "Red Square Black". He co – wrote all tracks on their debut album "Square".

Sadly "Red Square Black" was a short-lived project as John was selected from 2,000 guitarists to tour with Country and Western crooner, KD Lang.

"Working with KD Lang was great. She’s an amazing artist." (GUITARIST MAGAZINE)

In 1996 after the departure of Daisy Berkowitz, John had his first audition for Marilyn Manson. However he was late for the deadline, and the job went to Mike Linton (Zim Zum).

John’s next major break came when he teamed up with Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford for the industrial and classic rock influenced band "Two". The subsequent album, "Voyeurs", on which John played bass and guitar was produced by Nine Inch Nails Trent Reznor.

"Working with Rob Halford was an amazing experience. He is a metal God." (GUITARPLAYER.COM)

His next major project came in 1998, when he worked with ex Van Halen frontman, David Lee Roth.

"When I was little my dream was to play with David Lee Roth. One day I was sitting at my friends house and...I wonder what...Roth is doing now. I’m gonna call up his manager and see if he needs any songs." (GUITARIST MAGAZINE)

Being a fan of Van Halen, John was already familiar with the style of music. He submitted six songs and finding they suited, submitted further tracks to Roth’s management. Eventually David and John met and recorded "The DLR Band" album in two weeks.

"I remember before we started he said, If you can’t do it in two takes, you can’t do it." (GUITARIST MAGAZINE)

After the recording of "Mechanical Animals", Marilyn Manson was again looking for a guitarist to replace Zim Zum who left the band in pursuit of a solo career. Again John went to try out for the band, of which he was already a huge fan.

"When I got home from the tour (touring with Rob Halford in Europe) Manson’s manager called and asked if I would like to meet Manson for lunch...Then he asked me to join the band – right there." (GUITARPLAYER.COM)

Taking the moniker, John 5, he signed on for the Mechanical Animals tour and to work on the next album. John’s first live performance for Marilyn Manson came on the MTV Video Music Awards.

After the turmoil of the tour, that had seen a media witch hunt of the band in light of 1999’s tragic Columbine High School shootings, the band regrouped at Houdini’s House in Laurel Canyon to work on the dark "Holywood". John wrote on all of the tracks on the album bringing forth some of the most memorable power chords ever heard on a Marilyn Manson album.

"Writing in Manson is like building a house. Manson is a phenomenal producer...His production knowledge is astounding..." (FENDER USA – MARCH 2004)

During this time John also appeared on several albums including the Jimi Hendrix tribute album "Hazy Days: Not a Jimi Hendrix Tribute" and worked with artists such as Garbage, and Maria Antonakos as well as co–writing on another David Lee Roth track, "Thug Pop".

In 2002 Marilyn Manson saw another line–up change when bassist Twiggy Ramirez (Jeordie White) left to join James Maynard’s "A Perfect Circle". John said of the time leading up to Twiggy’s departure:

"...I thought I started to see Twiggy unhappy around Ozzfest...But I know he is doing well now in A Perfect Circle...And we have Tim Skold on bass so everything’s working out just fine." (TOTAL GUITAR)

In 2003 after a long standing relationship with Ibanez guitars, John released his first custom designed guitar – the John Lowery Signature Fender Telecaster. Guitarist Magazine called it " the sexiest new signature guitar on the market."

" I showed it to the guys in Metallica and James Hetfield said, You got to get me one of those. It’s cool when your friends love the guitar you did." (GUITARIST MAGAZINE)

2003 also saw the release of Marilyn Manson’s next album and era "The Golden Age of Grotesque", influenced by the Weimar Republic and the Vaudeville movement. The band were once again headlining Ozzfest and touring the world. John also began to develop ideas for a solo project influenced by his love for Bluegrass music.

"I did actually get Ginger, our drummer, to play on a Bluegrass track I’ve recorded (Sweet Georgia Brown) but I still haven’t really won the band over. They just don’t like it." (GUITARIST MAGAZINE)

In April 2004, Marilyn Manson.com announced the departure of John from the band.

" The band has decided to part ways with guitarist John 5 as recording sessions for the next album begin." (www.marilynmanson.com)

For John this came as surprise for him also, but despite this he had nothing but praise for Manson.

"I truly enjoyed my time with Manson and have the greatest respect for the incredible fans," says John. "I am grateful to have contributed over 2 dozen songs to his projects. It was a great creative outlet for me at that point in my career." (OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM JOHN AS SEEN ON JOHN5.COM)

"I had a great run with Marilyn Manson. It was a lot of fun and it was a really great experience, but I've got a lot of other stuff going on. I'm busier now than I was on tour." (WWW.MTV.COM)

Although there was an element of sadness at the amicable split, John did not sit back and relax. Instead he began work on his first solo project, an instrumental album influenced by bluegrass and rock. "Vertigo" – released August 2004 - was a labour of love, highly autobiographical as John pulled from memories of a turbulent last year with Marilyn Manson (sadly John lost three members of his family during the Golden Age of Grotesque tour, and suffered from reoccurring panic attacks – Dead Man’s Dream is quietly dedicated to his late brother-in-law Dennis Kirtley). It was also a chance for the world to hear that John was more than just a great riff writer. John likened it to being a horse ready to bolt from the stables.

With Vertigo John was able to show fans that there was more to guitar playing than simple punchy guitar riffs, so often linked to rock bands.

"I just want to educate these kids and say, Listen, this is awesome and it’s fun and you can make a sound current – pick up the guitar and really play again." (GUITARIST MAGAZINE)

In 2004 Loser began working on a new "rock radio project", "Loser" comprising the vocal talents of Joe Grah formerly of Texas band "Jibe". Influenced by bands such as Queen of the Stoneage and Foo Fighters, the band contributed a track to the Fantastic Four (2005) soundtrack (Disposable Sunshine).

The bands first live gig was in November 2004 at the The Roxy in LA and was well received by fans. Signing to the Island/Def Jam record label the band began work on their debut album "Just Like You" which was scheduled for release in June 2006. During this time John began to work with cult rock artist and movie director, Rob Zombie. Meeting at a benefit gig, John and Zombie hit off immediately and Rob asked John to play for him for Ozzfest 2005.

""I'm totally ecstatic about having the opportunity to play with Rob on Ozzfest! He has been one of my favourite artists for the longest time. I had the opportunity to play with him a few weeks back, and never thought that I would have the chance to share the stage with him playing the Zombie songs we all know and love!" (www.john-5.com)

It was reported that Zombie was looking to quit the music industry to concentrate on his movie career until he began to work with John 5. "I’m totally stoked about this because John is a fucking shredder" pointed out Zombie in an interview around the time of the hectic summer tour.

In August 2005 John released his second solo album, the grittier "Songs For Sanity".

"I just wanted to make this album more intense, aggressive and extreme." (GUITAR PLAYER)

Continuing the bluegrass but adding more aggressive riffs and featuring guest spots from Albert Lee and Steve Vai, "Songs For Sanity" as with "Vertigo" is a continued personal journey for John in playing and his personal life:

"For me the album title – Songs For Sanity – is no joke. The reason why I play and practice so much is because I’d go out of my mind if I didn’t. I have real bad anxiety problems, and playing as much as I do is the only thing that keeps my mind occupied" (GUITAR PLAYER)

The album saw many different styles: The twangy "Behind the Nut Love", so named as the majority of the track is played "behind the nut", "2 Die 4" an instrumental love song, "Damaged", a rocked out guitar monster.

The album again proved a hit for John and Shrapnel Records. John appeared on nine magazine covers over the past two years, including the much coveted Guitar Player. Mike Varney, producer for Shrapnel also announced a new album out for 2006 and it has been confirmed that John will be releasing an instructional video.

After Ozzfest 2006, John continued to work with Rob Zombie, contributing 8 out 11 tracks for the 2006 released "Educated Horses". However due to touring commitments, John had to make a hard decision concerning "Loser". In early 2006, it was announced that John was leaving "Loser" to concentrate on Zombie.

"Being the founding member of Loser, my decision to leave was not an easy one, states John 5. I've been juggling two careers both with Loser and Rob Zombie for over 1 year now. I found it impossible to be in two places at once."

John announced in a press release. He also stated that he had tried to negotiate with Island Records to bring in a replacement guitarist for the conflicting tour dates. However Island refused and dropped Loser from the label. John was devastated and still hopes that given time the band will release their album. Loser had gained a huge fan base, especially after supporting "Stain’d" in 2005.

With a massive tour in 2006 for Rob Zombie, John has also contributed work to Paul Stanley (KISS), Meatloaf for the upcoming "Bat out of Hell 3" (tentatively named) and FeFe Dobson.

John has also continued to support his fan base with the official website, which celebrated it’s second anniversary in April 2006 and joins the MySpace party with his own official page.

And what of the future? Well the future is just around the corner, and there’s lots still to come!