John 5's Favorite Albums of All Time | Vinyl Obsession Podcast

[@bmrepass]

John 5 is one of my favorite guys: I love his stories. He's such a cool guy and great guitarist!

[@KenMattson-s1v]

He makes me cringe

[@ItsAllForYouDemon]

Love hearing his DRESSED TO KILL (First album / B&W) childhood image. Have never heard him say that before. THAT is the magic of childhood rock & roll magic. Great interview! Thanks for sharing this.

[@jasonbennett60]

Yes, John people really do enjoy your shows.Keep doing what you love and we’ll keep coming to see you.

[@biskup2287]

John 5s is one of the down to earth people that one would ever meet. With all his fame and the way he plays guitar he is truly a gift !!!!! I can’t say it enough on just how awesome it is to listen and watch someone like that ..

[@Lou_Chandler]

My first vinyl was Wish You Were Here and I would stare at the cover and inner liner for hours!

[@Antzmacadamia]

Best guest you could ever want in a music podcast or programme. Amazing guitarist, thanks for everything john5

[@patricklennox9572]

My first record player in 1977 was a suitcase-style portable.

[@taxi134-y1q]

I'm 72 and in the sixties and seventies I often bought albums based solely on the LP sleeves,without hearing a lick of music and more often than not I wasn't disappointed.These days just about the only bands whose albums/cd's I buy based on cover alone are those of Death Metal bands because I pretty much know what I'm going to get.

[@michaelkennedy5126]

I did that for Love and Rockets "Express" LP, was not disappointed in the slightest.

[@Djd_Records_Zone]

John 5 loves everything from metal to folk rock no style seems off the table. imagine him being a dj at the rock station like Ted Nugent, Dee Snyder or Alice Cooper. his show would be for all ages and fans of anything. i bet his record collection is massive

[@3lullabies]

I like John5 and Paul Gilbert interviews. They could have quite a jam session together....both love the classics, both well spoken and know their roots very well. Agree about Van Halen, Ed is perfection, Dave is a superb faceman, Micheal and Alex are a rock solid rythym section. VH=The total package.

[@theblacksquirrel.]

You know those two (J5/PG) could/would have a discussion & jam that could go on for days, both seem to have a genuine love of music, not just genres they play, so every song they pick would be a rabbit hole trip in itself. They have different styles and abilities, but both with a keen sense of melody, so it would be highly entertaining (and with PG) very educational too!

[@williamcalvert4106]

I was shocked when John 5 said he thought the bands were actually playing at the radio stations. I thought the exact same thing in the 60s when I listened to my local radio station. Too funny.

[@shadowaccount]

john 5 is one of those rare guitarists that is in my top 5 even though none of the bands hes been in are in my top 20.

[@nickd6874]

Couldn’t agree more! Radiates such joy and tremendous energy.

[@RoryLynott]

250% agreed. I could give to shits about the bands that he's been in.

[@jonRboy]

My taste in music is completely different than John 5's. However, I can still admire and appreciate how great of a guitarist he is. When someone's talent and proficiency spans multiple genres and the pure musicianship wins out over style, genre and division, you know that someone 'has it'. This guy is a national treasure and is greatly underrated.

[@davidrice3337]

He's not underrated - he's one of the most well known guitar players at a time when virtually all of the guitar heroes are octogenarians - Guitar players aren't celebrated today like they used to be - This dude is one of the few

[@MickDoolan]

@@davidrice3337 never seen him before

[@GeorgeHyland]

How can anyone’s taste me different than John 5’s? He seems to like everything!

[@jonRboy]

@ Well, there’s more to music than the pop / rock ‘lane’. I have a lot of tastes outside of that and I also don’t care for a lot of stuff John 5 seems to like. So, therefore, there are differences in our musical tastes in spite of his multi-style appreciation. Your focus was a little too narrow when you read my point. I applaud John 5’s guitar technique and intellectual curiosity in how he approaches his craft/art. Another guitarist in the ‘rock’ genre who I feel this same way about is Steve Stevens, Billy Idol’s long time guitarist and collaborator. What an excellent player!

[@markbois1713]

Had the pleasure of seeing him last summer, probably on the tour he is talking about. There were probably only 150-200 people there. Being a guitar player, I can tell you this guy rips. Everything from the heaviest sweep picking metal to countrified barnburners to jazzy stuff I mean he played How High The Moon by Les Paul for God's sake. He earned a fan for life that night.

[@Kevin-kr5ok]

This was great enjoyed it totally ! Thanks again !

[@gtrsean2429]

Born in '66, I was a fan of the Monkey's show. Music was cool. Then the Partridge Family TV show and music really grabbed me. Also seeing/hearing all the TV music /variety shows. Sonny & Cher, Hee Haw, Glen Campbell show and John Denver's TV show. All were impactful. The first album I bought with b-day money in '77 was Kiss Love Gun. I was 11. Was a Kiss fanatic until their album Unmasked.

[@taxi134-y1q]

Monkees...

[@Angelicus-p5p]

'65 here! Same shows. My first album was John Denver because Country Roads was all over the radio. We had Partridge Family Christmas!😂 And a Tijuana Brass Christmas album.

[@adamfindlay7091]

Monkees had a real connection with Zappa. Even without they were fun with great pop tunes. John is definitely genuine and no snob. Thanx for sharing.

[@SquashPile]

Loved the John 5 jazz improv for 2025 vid. So good.

[@WorldsOkayestGuitarPlayerKinda]

I love Motley Crue. I have a tattoo of Mick Mars across my heart. John5 was the only person who could fill that spot. When it was announced that Mick was out, I was kinda relieved and excited to hear that J5 was the guy. A perfect fit. He know all the songs and is able to put his flair into them while still respecting the spirit of the song. God bless the children of the beast, and John 5.

[@DayZero2112]

We saw him here in Winston Salem. DUDE IS F'N INCREDIBLE!

[@GeorgeHyland]

Doug Aldrich could do it too…. He is a great “fill in” guitarist and can play anything. But I agree John 5 is awesome….

[@trioguitar]

Only 2 records in, already loving the vid, and loving these 2 guys!

[@rocketrod1444]

Van Halens S/T changed my life , i was 12 in 1978 and it blew me away and still does today . I hope John goes solo and finds a red hot vocalist and kicks some ass once again 🤩

[@markdoell1834]

Great Podcast. Great to learn more about John 5. Seems like a solid dude.

[@dewapd1169]

My top 5 from early on: The Beatles - Abby Road, Kiss - Alive, Billy Joel - The Stranger, Cheap Trick - In Color, Styx - Pieces of Eight

[@therealdoug1000]

Does anyone even look at the artwork when a song releases anymore? Is there any? What a magical part of the music experience to lose.

[@charliedillon1400]

I just bought Ted Nugent's Weekend Warriors on vinyl for my son last week for $6. Killer album cover of Ted shooting his guitar/machine gun while wearing white bell bottoms, lol! Classic nostalgia.

[@frankrichards3089]

Kiss Alive 1st one for me. I was maybe 6 1976. Destroyer and Rock n Roll Over after.

[@mikeweeds4048]

HUGE music fanatic, BIG wrestling fan. Eric Young is perfect for this! What a great combo

[@TLW896]

Very articulate and well-spoken player. The interviewer as well allowed John 5 to talk without smothering him. If I may add a Geezeresque memory of travelling with records. 45rpms to be specific; I would take the rubber pieces off the bicycle handlebars, and slide the 45s over the handlebars, (the records had holes in the middle), and place my hands back onto the handlebars to steer and keep the records in place.

[@TheTobesOfHades]

Great guitarist and super nice guy.

[@BIGD-gj1vb]

Great list. Hard to pick 5. Its crazy how your drawn to what you remember when your young. I'm 50 and my first vinyl was Pyromania. So many memories with that album. It would impossible not to include one of Black Sabbaths first three albums in the list.

[@NTJ891]

I saw David Johansen at the Punch and Judy theater in Gross Point Mi, John grew up about 5 minutes from where I lived

[@jcop14]

It would've been fun to hang out with John 5 as a kid.

[@alanmackillop1595]

5 is awesome because he's not a snob, even though he's an incredible guitarist. He's a fan, and just loves music.

[@HarryNansen]

Exactly! That is also how I see a guy like Jason Newsted. Humble, friendly, and a fan of the music.

[@clarkpitts5393]

John is so Humble... He can play with anyone, and play everything..

[@mattmorin4460]

Totally remember what he was talking about with the release of KISS Love Gun. I was 7 in 1977, me and my mom were at Northwest Mall here in Houston and Soundwarehouse the record store was really close to one of the entrances. I came right around the corner and all over the front of their store was the Love Gun display right there in the front of the store and then they had all the placards and a ton of albums to buy. I got it but that wasn’t my first KISS album I bought. Mine was KISS Alive! Then rock and roll over, then Destroyer. He’s right about the first time hearing VH I especially listening to it in 1978 for the first time and it really was a mind blowing experience because you had to put it in to context because there was nothing even close out there that sounded like that, I heard it in my older cousins room on his turntable through headphones and it blew my mind. Might have been the first record I heard from start to finish in one take, it was that good. But KISS Alive! was where I got the bug when I heard Parasite.

[@BigTwinRiver]

In the morning I raise my head…. And I’m thinking the day’s gone by….

[@burntvirtue]

​@@BigTwinRiver Thinking of days gone by

[@revwillyg6450]

I've been a fan since I heard him credit Jerry Reed as a guitar inspiration, and watching the show Hee Haw with Roy Clark and Buck Owens as a kid also. He can do some country chicken pickin as well as he can shred metal songs

[@shearn666]

God bless you, John 5. A totally tragic lover of music. Love this.

[@kos4290]

Wow didn't know he is such a cool and layed back man😊

[@Another_Broke_Musician]

Give Mike Nesmith some love. He wrote some great songs for the Monkees

[@BalderBorador]

You are absolutely right! And also wrote for Linda Ronstadt. Only her first number one hit, Different Drum.

[@taxi134-y1q]

....and post-Monkees his albums were quality.

[@tdunph4250]

It's incredible to find out after so many years that Mike and Peter in reality didn't really like each other too much.

[@Tomyelectronic]

Greetings from germany. In the summer of 2023 I saw him on the big tour Mötley/Leppard in Hanover in Germany. But what is actually cool about this interview: has anyone ever taken a look at the environment? All the cool pinball machines and the old arcade games. Mega! I'm an absolute fan and owner of pinball machines myself and of course heavy metal is also my world. Keep rockin' (the silverball!).

[@gsmeeuwsen]

John is sooo cool and such a monster player!!!

[@VannyTonon]

John is my favorite player! He’s is so genuine and I love his style!

[@dryker7085]

Legend. Great picks.

[@toms4442]

Your not alone John 5, i thought the same thing about bands playing on the raido!

[@johnsmith-yk8by]

important deep roots first tune i remember liking was the archies sugar sugar excellent choice john btw. my friend & i in all our high school wisdom went to go see the premier of the wall in the theatre high af on blotter. i do recall as we walked out got in the car and very carefully drove home not far away we did not say a word for at least a half hour

[@shadcovert1160]

DUUUUDE the whole being sick and watching the Wall and being all freaked out is INCREDIBLY RELATABLE.

[@frankrichards3089]

Crazy flick

[@BalderBorador]

First off, props to John 5 on his pick of The Monkees! If only he looked at the record label he would see that Michael Nesmith wrote and co-wrote two songs on that debut album. He also played guitar and produced those songs and Peter Tork also played on one song. The thing is, they weren't allowed to play the instruments on the first album. Things started using up on the second album where Michael wrote two songs, 1 b in the popular, "Mary Mary". They were under strict control by music supervisor Don kirshner! Aka the devil. This album and the release of the single that was not authorized got his ass fired! From that point on, The Monkees had full control! Their third album had the Monkees playing on every song! They were also on huge tours, 1967 saw the opening act Jimi Hendrix for the first time in the US. Back then they didn't have the technology two lip sync to a live performance. So they were 100% LIVE! John was a bit mistaken because there was no Columbia House back then but there was one mail away in 1969 and one in 1976. 20 years after their debut, they reunited for a 20th anniversary tour. It was the highest charting tour of 1986! Beating out bands like U2, Springsteen and even Motley Crue! For those quick to judge The Monkees, try listening to songs like pleasant valley Sunday and porpoise song just for a start because they produced nine albums from 1966 to 1970! In 1967 the outsold The Beatles and The rolling Stones combined! Some comments posted prior to mine just show how ignorant music fans can be. The Beatles were even fans of the Monkees music. The TV show was only on for 2 years! So how is it everybody remembers them?

[@charlesbolton8471]

You are aware that “back then” when the Monkees debut came John had even been born yet right? So, it’s entirely possible that he did get it from Columbia House (or some similar service) in the late 70s/early 80s when he was old enough to start buying records.

[@johnconti1087]

What a cool chill dude

[@VegasLoungeAct]

He looks amazing for his age

[@pinzgauerbelgium]

Now thats a picture right there...Jhon 5 wearing CROC's 😂😂😂😂

[@BaldPerspective]

God, I love Juan Cinco. That story about KISS at the radio station had me just about on the floor lmao

[@bradhardisty1652]

Really cool..Joni Mitchell, I could tell his pics would be eclectic.

[@MM1717mm]

His choices make me think hes my brother from another mother 🤘🤘

[@The_Macaroon]

Nevermind Satriani filling in for Eddie, this guy would absolutely kill it playing with Dave and the rest of Van Halen

[@Angelicus-p5p]

Want a couple different choices? Actor Hugh Dillon (Mayor of Kingstown) has a band, The Headstones. Their cover of Tweeter and the Monkeyman blows away the original. He would recommend Slow, Against The Glass. One album before they crashed and burned, two videos on youtube: Against The Glass, Have Not Been The Same. Frat band in the early 80's that was appreciated by the Seattle bands. I love that John 5 loves all music!😊

[@flyfishincrazy]

Best guitarist going in these current times! If you get a chance go see him!

[@AryanRaj-vv7tf]

Eric young u were my fav wrestler

[@Burtmax068]

I also used to think that bands and artists were at the radio station when I was listening to the radio.

[@DanM-ys5pz]

Nice picks John!

[@tjh315]

Eclectic. I can relate. He could have picked Dan Fogelberg, Led Zepp, Dire Straits, Lynyrd Skynyrd.......but was definitely picking VH.

[@jostaffordjr]

"The clip's 18 minutes long? Great, let's throw in a dozen breaks that do nothing."

[@bscepter]

Love John 5. The guy is a brilliant player but humble AF and a total fan. Plus, he has really catholic tastes.

[@thedudeabides2968]

Great choices!!

[@MrKSGrundy]

Love how they call Joni Michelle, who is Canadian, a local girl. 🤘🇨🇦🤘

[@FrankieLovesElvis]

Man, First thing I noticed was the Elvis album!!! 😊

[@RunTFC]

Very cool, thanks.

[@judyhenderson2105]

He's the greatest 😊😊😊

[@caryd67]

It’s funny how you interpret things when you’re still a kid. John thought KISS played live at the radio station… when I was a kid, my favourite album was Cosmos Factory by CCR. I used to believe that John Fogarty (guitarist, singer, writer) was the drummer, and he played the drums while sitting on a motorcycle, due to the cover shot 😂

[@GiantEyeOne]

Cool pics John 5!

[@Winterstick549]

Headquarters was the first Monkees album where they played their own instruments.

[@frankrichards3089]

Eclectic dude. Monkees Joni Mitchell Floyd nice.

[@Crinkle65]

Should be 20 picks. Great show

[@GaryPrince-n5p]

John 5 kills it and he's seems like the coolest dude ever.🤘

[@ScarlettEmeraldASMR]

Great selection 😊😊

[@TRICK-OR-TREAT236]

JOHNNY 5 IS ALIVE !

[@courtneyt800]

Wait a minute..that's Eric Young from TNA wrestling

[@davehackney1787]

It took me 5 mins to realise just now

[@luiscardenas930]

A Wrestling career does not usually last long.

[@frankrichards3089]

Seeing a car and seeing a race car nice analogy.

[@carlosalbertovz]

John 5 is one of the biggest Kiss fans. Of course a Kiss album had to be in the vinyl selection. He is definitely a super beast live, saw him last year with Motley Crue and he was incredible.

[@ALF.Argentina]

I met him after the last KISS show at MSG

[@stevepwnz]

I really thought he would have Kiss at no.1. He has a huge collection of vintage Kiss memorabilia.

[@juansecar2]

John has a deep educated ear, it shows. And, for all those Kiss haters, therein' tis, alongside Joni Mitchell.

[@gringoloco4]

Kiss absolutely SUCKS

[@juansecar2]

@gringoloco4 well, honey's not always intended to please the mouths of... but, you go'n teach John 5 somethin he doesnt know boy... you GENIUSSS! HEHE

[@MB-oc1nw]

I don't like either of them

[@MB-oc1nw]

@@gringoloco4 I'd listen to them over Joni Mitchell and I don't like 70's Kiss

[@juansecar2]

@@MB-oc1nw like i said... you can see a Picasso and hate it also...

[@cruesome2]

I feel him on that kid's imagination that the bands are playing live on the radio notion. I was sure that when I saw photos of bands like Kiss and Mötley Crüe touring Japan, they were obviously singing in Japanese. I was so proud of them. 🤦

[@Brew311]

I’ve always thought John 5 should’ve been the guitarist on the Best of Both Worlds tour with Van Hagar.

[@StephanHeinemann1]

VH I was amazing and Pink Floyd 🎉

[@laitaa]

Came here to check who is John 5. Apparently he has played with e.g. Marilyn Manson and Mötley Crue. Interesting. It's also great to get these album hints from real musicians. Maybe I could visit Kiss Destroyer again, though I have not been a huge Kiss fan - but it's not a bad band.

[@kurtzcol]

picked some solid choices

[@Uncle_Mark2600]

Destroyer, Rock n Roll Over for me. John 5 is awesome. Great guy. Excellent interview.

[@KushiteComplex]

Heaven and Hell with DIO!

[@HeyLiem]

I'm fine with artistic choices by John 5 but aren't we a little mistaken about the Columbia record club? Sure you got a lot of albums for the annual deal, but they were always remixed at a lower level which you can hear the difference, more noise, less dynamic range, if you played them one after another with the same album From the original record company pressing.

[@renemarrero6523]

John 5 👍

[@JerrySpencer-f7f]

5 the greatest

[@andypalin3287]

Van Halen is the best debut of all time! 😜

[@MM1717mm]

Been listening to VH since 1981 ... seen them live ... love them ... but.. in my world.. the KISS debut is just as good as that VH debut ... and no... gene simmons is not my dad ... thankfully 😂😂

[@lotharklein8242]

does anyone know what happened to john 1 to 4?

[@jakejohnson7714]

The Monkees live along the river, two doors down from me

[@gerardhiggins7412]

This dude’s voice has more gravel than my driveway 😆

[@clubstone1]

Yeah I couldn't get through it...all I know is John 5 likes the monkees

[@toddm9501]

Ever notice how Great Guitarist's spent less money on tattoos. And, more funds on other stuff. Chuck Berry, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Eddie Van Halen, Keith Richards, Stevie Ray Vaughn, BB King, Albert King, Freddy King, Brian May, etc.......

[@johnfaulk7775]

I’m surprised that the Osmonds weren’t on the list! Great choice of records though.

[@blutomindpretzel1735]

Love Gun was the KISS gold standard. Peak album

[@Alzrad]

Really, I thought he was Lita Ford by the thumbnail

[@666Otomo]

John 5 is a great guitar player. Does Motley Crue demand he play air guitar during their concerts?

[@scottfarren7942]

Original stereo in a car had a phonograph in the trunk!!!!!

[@EDDIE-c7f8y]

Some of the most famous guitarists in the world have actually said EVH was even more impressive BEFORE he started tapping .