John 5 has clarified his departure from Marilyn Manson’s band, contradicting his previous statements about the split being mutual, in a recent interview on Get on the Bus.
The guitarist revealed that he was actually dismissed from the band rather than leaving by choice, as he had previously suggested. “I got let go from [Marilyn] Manson. He said he wanted to write with other people, the manager said. So I was like, ‘Okay,’ you know,” John 5 said. “But yeah, I got let go. I didn’t quit. I would have been in there a lot longer.”
Despite the circumstances of his departure, John 5 expressed positive feelings about his time with the band. “I loved being in Marilyn Manson. It was again, whenever I’m in something, I always have a great time, and I had such a blast, and we made again the greatest records,” he continued. “You know, we made phenomenal records together and did incredible live shows and a live album.”
This account differs significantly from John 5’s earlier statement, where he described the split as amicable, saying they were “just on different roads” and that “he just wanted to write with other members of the band, and I wanted to do other things.”
The guitarist’s revised account sheds new light on a significant period in both musicians’ careers. It highlights the complexities behind band departures in the music industry.
John 5’s official biography revealed that the guitarist joined Marilyn Manson’s band in 1998 after leaving David Lee Roth’s solo project. Born John William Lowery in 1970, he quickly became an integral part of Manson’s creative process during a pivotal time in the band’s evolution.
Wikipedia documented that Marilyn Manson himself gave Lowery the stage name “John 5” during their first meeting. This marked the beginning of what would become a defining chapter in the guitarist’s career. This personal touch from Manson makes John 5’s recent revelation about being dismissed all the more significant.
During his six-year tenure with the band, John 5 contributed to some of Marilyn Manson’s most acclaimed work. Ultimate Classic Rock reported that he played on iconic albums, including Holy Wood (In the Shadow of the Valley of Death) and The Golden Age of Grotesque. He helped to shape the band’s distinctive sound during this era.
Following his departure from Marilyn Manson, John 5 successfully transitioned to other high-profile projects. His official biography detailed how he went on to play with Rob Zombie and later joined Mötley Crüe as a touring guitarist, eventually becoming a full member. Beyond his work with established bands, he has built a prolific solo career with ten guitar albums that showcase his versatility across multiple genres.
