Photo: Getty Images North America
Mötley Crüe confirmed last week that Rob Zombie guitarist John 5 would join the band in a touring capacity next year as Mick Mars retires from touring.
Bassist Nikki Sixx described John 5 as the perfect compliment to the continuing band members — someone they know, like and have worked with before.
Responding to questions via Twitter, Sixx replied to a question about John 5.
"He checks all the boxes," Sixx wrote. "He's [an] insane player. Has respect for our music, is funny as f--k and has history with us and we've written some pretty big hits together."
Sixx collaborated with John 5 on three original Mötley Crüe songs for the 2019 band biopic The Dirt, "The Dirt (Est. 1981)," "Ride With the Devil" and "Crash and Burn."
But beyond that, the two collaborated with Desmond Child on the title track from Meat Loaf's 2006 album, Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose.
John 5 has a sterling reputation in the music industry as both a virtuoso guitarist and songwriter. Beyond his work with Zombie, John 5 has credits with Avril Lavigne, David Lee Roth, Ozzy Osbourne, Steve Perry and many others.
Mars, 71, decided to end his touring career this fall after a longtime battle with an arthritic disease called Ankylosing Spondylitis. In a statement last week, the band commended Mars for his years of persevering through pain and for helping to "define" the band's sound.
"We will carry out Mick's wish and continue to tour the world as planned in 2023," the band wrote. "No doubt will it take an absolutely outstanding musician to fill Mick's shoes so we are grateful that our good friend John 5 has agreed to come on board and join us moving forward."
Mötley Crüe and Def Leppard will take their 'World Tour' to South America and Europe in 2023. Go here for the tour dates.