Music Radar caught up with guitarist John 5 (Rob Zombie, ex-Marilyn Manson), who revealed the ten guitarists that blew his mind and changed his life as a musician

Eddie Van Halen

John 5: “The first time I heard Eddie playing, I was shocked… I couldn’t believe my ears! It must have been the first album because that’s what my teacher gave to me. And right from the get-go, it was unbelievable. He had it all – the playing, the tone, the songs – and that’s why I was completely blown away. I must have heard it when it came out, though I was really quite young at the time. I loved KISS so much and remember it said Gene Simmons somewhere on the back, which made me even more intrigued about this guitar player… who, of course, would go on to change my life!”

Paul Gilbert

John 5: “Paul was another one who took that style to another place. He chose to use more string skipping in his arpeggios to make them very musical… it wasn’t just crazy, crazy shredding. I think that’s really important. Say, with Van Halen, not only was Eddie an amazing guitarist and inventor, he was a brilliant songwriter. That’s what Paul brought to it too; he was just a brilliant composer. From Mr. Big to all the Racer X stuff, I really am a big fan of Paul’s and he’s had such a big influence on me. That’s really important – there are so many amazing guitar players out there but maybe we’ll never discover them because there’s no songs or music behind it.”

Read John 5's complete rundown here.

John 5 has revealed that former KISS guitarist Ace Frehley will make a guest appearance when he and The Creatures hit the Whisky A Go Go in Los Angeles, California on April 6th. Previously announced guests for the show include Nikki Sixx (Mötley Crüe), Sebastian Bach (Skid Row), and Scott Ian (Anthrax).John 5 And The Creatures - comprised of guitarist John 5, bassist Ian Ross and drummer Logan Miles Nix - recently released their new live album, It's Alive!

It's Alive! is the first album released by the world-renowned guitarist to be featured on vinyl, and is also available to purchase with a stunning 24-page, full color tour book covering the John 5 And The Creatures tour journeys so far. It's Alive! was recorded spontaneously at the Sellersville Theater in Sellersville, Pennsylvania in April 2017.

It's Alive! is available to order in all versions here, including physical CD and LP, MP3's, etc. Stream the track "Season Of The Witch" below.

Tracklisting:

"Guitars, Tits And Monsters"
"Flight Of The Vulcan Kelly"
"Six Hundred And Sixty Six Pickers In Hell, CA"
"Here’s To The Crazy Ones"
"This Is My Rifle"
"Jiffy Jam"
"Hall Haw"
"Season Of The Witch"
"The Nightmare Unravels"
"Portrait Of Sydney Sloan"
"Triple D"
"Black Grass Plague"
"Behind The Nut Love"
"Making Monsters"
"Beat It"
"Now Fear This"
"Medley"

"Season Of The Witch":

It’s Alive! tour dates are as listed below.

February
12 - New York, NY - Highline Ballroom
13 - Boston, MA - Middle East
14 - Syracuse, NY - Lost Horizon
15 - Pittsburgh, PA - Hard Rock
16 - Cleveland, OH - Beachland
17 - Westland, MI - Token Lounge
18 - Chicago, IL - Reggies
20 - Des Moines, IA - Vaudeville Mews
21 - Indianapolis, IN - Vogue
22 - Newport, KY - Southgate House
23 - Lexington, KY - Manchester Music Hall
24 - Chattanooga, TN - Songbirds

March
29 - San Antonio, TX - Rock Box
30 - Dallas, TX - Trees
31 - Houston, TX - Scout Bar

April
2 - Albuquerque, NM - Launchpad
3 - Tucson, AZ - 191 Toole
4 - Mesa, AZ - Club Red
5 - San Diego, CA - Brick x Brick
6 - Los Angeles, CA - Whiskey
7 - Las Vegas, NV - Vamp’d
8 - Fullerton, CA - SlideBar
12 - San Jose, CA - Ritz
13 - San Francisco, CA - DNA Lounge
14 - Fresno, CA - Full Circle Brewery
15 - Sacramento, CA - Harlows
17 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Complex
18 - Boise, ID - Neurolux
20 - Portland, OR - Rock Hard PDX
21 - Tacoma, WA - Tacoma Guitar Festival

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