Motley Crue Already Loved John 5 Before Hiring Him As Mick Mars Replacement, Vince Neil Reveals

Motley Crue knew John 5 was the perfect replacement for Mick Mars before it even hired him, Vince Neil said.

John 5 has been playing a huge role in Motley Crue's career since Mars announced his touring retirement due to his worsening health issues. Although the original guitarist clarified that he would still create music with the band, Motley Crue members started working with John 5 even in its upcoming album.

Motley Crue Says John 5 Was "Ready To Play"

After being tapped to become a guest judge on the music competition series, "Banded: The Musician Competition," Motley Crue member Vince Neil appeared in an interview with AXS TV and talked about the band's new guitarist.

John 5, Rob Zombie's former guitarist, is currently on tour with Motley Crue while working with the bandmates for its new album. According to Neil, the band loved him before he was hired.

"We really love John. He was ready to play the set before we even hired him; he knows all the MÖTLEY CRÜE songs," the musician said. "He knew everything down to the letter. So we didn't have to do a lot of rehearsing for the stadium tour, because he was right there."

Neil's comment resonated with what bassist Nikki Sixx revealed during his appearance on the UK's Planet Rock. At that time, he spoke highly of John 5 and shared how the band decided to move forward with him.

Sixx revealed that his bandmates, Tommy Lee and Neil, felt that John 5 would be a great fit. He also called Motley Crue's touring guitarist a "great guitar player" who gives the band a great opportunity to lock in.

John 5 Approved by Other Musicians

Aside from the Motley Crue members, even Mars approved of John 5 as his touring replacement - though the guitarist seemingly replaced him in the band wholly despite only announcing his touring retirement.

During John 5's interview with SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation" (via Ultimate Classic Rock & Culture), he revealed that he and Mars exchanged Christmas gifts and are in touch since the replacement announcement was made.

He also disclosed that the veteran guitarist reached out to him when Motley Crue selected him as its new guitarist.

Meanwhile, Def Leppard's Phil Collen applauded Motley Crue's lineup change and said everything worked out great with John 5.