John 5 rips through Les Paul's How High The Moon

John 5 plays Les Paul and Mary Ford's How High The Moon, exclusively at the Guitar World studios in NYC. Watch in wonder. Heavy metal cannot contain him.
#john5

[@magnanamus8659]

Best Country Guitarist in all of Metal!

[@revwillyg6450]

Well, his name is John Lowery. Sounds kind of country?🤷‍♂️

[@TommyTriton]

Lol, best metal guitarist in all of country Western as well... 😂

[@patrickm.635]

John 5 covering Les Paul on a Fender Tele while wearing a KISS button on his jacket is exactly why John 5 is a monster guitar player.

[@hessex1899]

I did not have this on my bingo card for 2024. :)

[@FREISTUDIOS]

And it’s the original KISS

[@RossD8]

Took the words......

[@bryanmannoia8410]

@@FREISTUDIOS the only Kiss.

[@randyzeitman1354]

He is so much more than a dress code.

[@ChaelaThompson]

I've heard people comment about how he gets a Tele to sound heavy, that's easy, what's amazing is how he gets high gain Dimarzio pickups to sound like a gretsch country gentleman

[@lovescarguitar]

Looks to me like a light picking hand does the trick. He's not being very heavy handed with picking

[@Twobarpsi]

Lots of subtle palm muting as well.

[@LeoTorresGuitar]

Compressor, eq, tone pots and touch.

[@strumbum946]

Clean tone and lots of reverb…

[@blckbldng]

just need to keep volume knob low

[@MrROTD]

John 5 always blows my mind, the guy can play anything from what I have seen.

[@johnnymossville]

John 5 just keeps impressing. The great Les Paul, and the great John 5 doing it justice.

[@TheKitchenerLeslie]

The difference: Les Paul did it before Extra Slinky Strings. The man was playing on telephone pole wires.

[@bored7743]

john really is guitar savant. theres a lot of dudes who can shred like van halen.. theres only a handful of dudes with the breadth of talent to span genres seamlessly.. john 5 is one of them

[@2216sammy]

John 5 worships Edward .

[@buckbreaker5185]

Ive never heard anyone shred like EVH. People get close and go their own way, like Nuno

[@deandee8082]

@@2216sammy Edward wouldn't make a pimple on johns hiney .. not even close, johns levels and levels away from EVH, didn't you notice how john picks every note? no tricks, no gimmicks pure playing, john spams several genres where eddie is VH that's it, he may have remembered some classical piano stuff but he crossed over to guitar fairly early so . . you don't want to get caught in a shoot out with john, big mistake, very few could keep up, very few, maybe glen campbell, roy clark, and a lot of those phenom pickers from the wall of sound and a small handful of others... Ed.. funny, but yea no...

[@therightisright8276]

I love that John is not trapped in a genre and not afraid to play whatever the F he wants unapologetically and as best as he can play it. Ive known Death metal guitarists who secretly play jazz but will NEVER do it onstage in front of fans, just at sound checks and art is art is art, dont be afraid or ashamed, play it, own it and enjoy!!

[@newfreenayshaun6651]

Some of that insane talent in the basement has a lot to do with knowing that you can only pull out about 60 to 70% in a show, never go all out while live. If you happen to leave it all out on the stage, just remember to pick some of it back up for the next show.😅

[@davyboy9397]

I think Les would have loved this cover

[@jamesk.bishop105]

I appreciate John 5 passing on Les Paul's legacy with the breakdown after the song. Very cool. Very important.

[@thelastperfectman4139]

This demonstrates how good John 5 is BUT also should remind people how great Les Paul was.

[@321bytor]

Blimey. can't wait to hear John 6

[@creamwobbly]

Yeah but what did he do with the other four?

[@pippipster6767]

Apparently his middle name is Derek

[@user-qu7xu4ep6f]

Say what you mean

[@Mr.8.7.8USCH]

Love it

[@Mr.8.7.8USCH]

Seven ate Nine

[@adamshechter2736]

John5 is a legend. Saw him live and was floored.

[@James-S3]

And John legend is a 5

[@michaelholmes9153]

This completely floored me. John 5 dabbles in country but is mostly hard rock/metal yet he picked this LP classic up like its nothing. Still its testament to what made Les Paul so famous. He was beyond his time with his melody and technicality.

[@guitaralligator7250]

To be honest, John 5 is Bluegrass/Country player who dabbles in Hard Rock/Metal.

[@vwharman]

@@guitaralligator7250can’t thumb this up enough. While he plays in rock/metal bands, he has, in almost every interview I’ve seen, talked about how much country and bluegrass influenced his playing early on. It’s one of the main things I hat makes his solo work so interesting is when he inserts phrases from country and western players, or banjo rolls, or other country styles into his rock playing. Makes for a really cool sound.

[@daman9351]

He doesn’t dabble in anything. He is well versed in all aspects and genres from his years of curiosity, studio work and dedication to his craft.

[@TheKitchenerLeslie]

The difference: Les Paul did it before Extra Slinky Strings. The man was playing on telephone pole wires.

[@LOTR22090able]

Watch his video for Black Grass Plague. He shreds on mandolin and banjo

[@Theslayer360]

John 5 is one of the best guitarist ever! A true legend 🤟

[@mcampbell5158]

How about the guy who wrote the song and invented the electric guitar?

[@ripperace]

I don’t think the person meant to slight Les in any way. John is one of the most under rated guitarists of this generation. In my eyes, nobody comes close since a guy named Eddie.

[@FriedEggsandJellyfish]

One of the best alive. Put some respect on Dimebag and Alexi Laiho

[@Alfa75V6]

@@ripperace , love some of Eddie’s playing ( he used to live 45 minutes from here ) but Jeff was also from another planet so was Jimi

[@Fast2Whls]

Total respect from me to a true shredder, paying total respect to one of the original true shredders. Not many of today's guitar heroes even know how amazingly well LP could play, but they own his signature guitar. J5 respects all his roots. There was so much talent out there way before the days of KZbin and Spotify that too many people have never heard of. What a cool guy J5 is for reminding us.

[@Kaz999998]

As someone who plays LP guitars I actually didn't discover LP's playing until recently haha so you're not wrong

[@otccreations]

Absolutely fantastic, I love watching John 5 play.

[@crazybillshobbiesandstuffd7652]

John 5 is an amazing guitarist.

[@bencurti7693]

I've been lucky to see John 5 with his Creatures band 3 times....this guy can shred with the best of them....but then he'll whip out a banjo and switch to country mode. John 5 always puts on a great show.

[@tonyjones1560]

If memory serves, he was heavily influenced by great country “pickers” like Roy Clark and Merle Travis…

[@bencurti7693]

@@tonyjones1560 That's right, Tony. He has also mentioned on several occasions, how he watched Hee Haw as a kid, and that he thought the Telecaster was the only guitar around. Cool story and background!

[@LD-qj2te]

I just saw John5 in Cleveland and he was pure entertainment z but the guy played about every genres and was totally fun and he is a guitar and technique master .

[@nikprior8280]

He's such a brilliant and natural player. That was genuinely fantastic

[@robslater5528]

Not necessarily a fan of nor conversant in "John 5," but much respect for this! The understanding and work that must have gone into deconstructing "How High..." to put this piece together like this...?! What a musician!

[@TheSunMoon]

I never get bored listening to his playing. It's always entertaining and refreshing.

[@DwainDwight]

John 5 great guy & terrific player. thank you

[@gm-zz8so]

Great stuff.....and nothing to hide behind... just clean tones

[@jeffgilbert147]

Totally amazing ! John 5 is the real deal.

[@elisalazar3064]

Just saw him live!! Phenomenal!!

[@bradconklin2878]

As John 5 just showed us ... less is not more, Les is Paul! Thank you.

[@Richard_Lush]

This guy is great! I know he plays with some 80s band now but I didn’t know he was so talented. They’re lucky to have him.

[@Enfield2A]

Much like Steve Howe - versatility unheralded.

[@Ojb_1959]

I saw Jeff Beck play this at the Jazz Fest. I wish him and John 5 could’ve done something together. 2 of the greats for sure.

[@JA-ng7yo]

I always wondered what John 5 and Tom Morrello would cook up.

[@ryemill7787]

New Orleans Jazz Fest? Going to the Stones? Prices are wild eh

[@Ojb_1959]

@@ryemill7787 My son and I got to see them in the Dome in July of 2021 and it was great. Yes the price is outrageous and hopefully the heat won’t be. Enjoy🎭

[@roymartin500]

He knows his stuff. Nice job!

[@jonlennon3348]

John is one of the modern greats. Les would be proud.

[@robertbaines2684]

Saw him play with Motley Crue last year in Sheffield, on tour with Def Leppard. John 5 is impressive, and stands out as a guitar monster alongside the greats!!

[@JohnnyArtPavlou]

He never fails to impress! ❤❤❤

[@chrizalien]

Wonderful.

[@jackbart1960]

just way too F'n cool John!

[@mightyjoe3849]

Dude can play just about anything!!

[@WSRTheWetShaverReview]

Awesome ! Really cleanly played, excellent tone as well

[@GuitarGodzUnleashed]

A master covering another master!

[@danh6419]

Unbelievable! John 5 is the guitar virtuoso

[@ravenslaves]

John 5 is one of the most _underrated_ guitarists living today. I'd love to see more material like this coming from him.

[@finnmacdiarmid3250]

Tim Henson hates this man

[@Duke_2373]

who cares!@@finnmacdiarmid3250

[@ducksoff7236]

So "underrated" that he generates millions of views wherever he goes.....

[@ravenslaves]

@@ducksoff7236 haha!...YES!!! Even where he is now, he's _still_ underrated. I'd love to see him expand his playing into other genres, beyond what he's already done. Everytime he ventures into anything from country to flaminco, I keep wishing there was more.

[@TheKitchenerLeslie]

The difference: Les Paul did it before Extra Slinky Strings. The man was playing on telephone pole wires.

[@FactbasedReality0421]

John 5 -wow, just wow. Thanks!

[@Chimbaland]

He's the best to ever do it. I've literally never heard him as a note.

[@WwYnN]

Wonderful to see such a talent pay tribute to the great Les Paul. Cool to know the music that inspires these new stars.

[@user-it4jk4xg1v]

Wow so cool...first I ever heard this...glad I did...thanks j 5 dude😅

[@ErJoeJehosaphatz]

Awesome! Great performance. Those old Les Paul / Mary Ford videos always blew me away. And it sounds composed FOR the guitar, too, the way an orchestral composer might have featured a particular instrument in a piece back in the day.

[@ethanwagner5603]

How can one NOT like John 5? Just an amazing chameleon.

[@TheIrishd501]

Just an awesome guitar player.... 👍

[@walnergonzalez1967]

I fr$&ken love you John. You playing has has always been tasteful and you have always been much more than a rock guitarist. Awesome work as always.

[@ToddBatrynchuk]

John 5 for the win!! Brah...paying homage to the greats.

[@hkguitar1984]

I feel that Les Paul the Man would approve. Being able to see this song being played with high-def video is amazing. Thank You John 5

[@Xsheaffer]

Thank you John for a fitting homage to the colossal talent of Les Paul.

[@user-mt6zj1zs4g]

Never heard of him before, glad I've heard of him now. Very nice tribute to Les, great job!

[@Bryan-jd7os]

Look up his solo live shows, one of the best medleys ever played!

[@The_Gameshroom]

I've loved this ever since hearing the marching band do a rendition of it. Always awesome to see and hear!

[@2482jamie]

great cover. love the original and i love this!

[@Anne6621]

what makes Mr 5 so damn good is he is not musically constipated , he never fails to amaze this 71 year old guitar picker

[@frednance3988]

Excellent! Great that younggins getting into old school rock from the 50's

[@theswordofkings7549]

This dude is so fearless on his axe, which why I'm such a big fan his, and respect him enough not to judge his choice in sunglasses. 👍😉

[@JohnAlbertRigali]

I’m impressed by Mr. 5’s learning of a Les Paul tune. 👍🏻

[@rebelshell8820]

Just saw this amazing guitarist in Houston again💯🎼🎸♥️

[@frankleroux2733]

He's an amazing guitar player, everything is neat!

[@Wodenson5150]

Finally a metal master covers the GOAT - Les Paul. Thank you John and GW. Excellent job on the tone and dynamic. You're the man.

[@jimmyz2098]

Les Paul was awesome. And I'd say John5 nailed this! Very cool take. The guy is an amazing player. Cool guitar, too. I bet Les would have had a good laugh, and enjoyed this. So cool that his influence, and his music is still being discussed, and enjoyed!

[@paultrombetta]

Excellent!

[@thefool2007]

What a treat. Les Paul would be so proud. Awesome, stellar, amazing, riveting player! And that guitar is absolutely sick!!!

[@massifuckingdie607]

the best guitarist of today

[@powerbylightfutureisnow1579]

It just goes to show if you started playing when you were young and learned all the simple things that you hated because it wasn't popular, like row row your boat , going bells , then rock out.!! God bless you 😇.

[@rjlong89]

Right on right on

[@paulburton5150]

John5 is a super talented musician. Technical and musical. And a super humble guy on top. Love his unique take on the tele also.

[@NPCONSULTING247-jy3pz]

Wonderfull some that young artist knows about Les Paul´s work because the most people relate him to the Les Paul guitar but not any further. Mary Ford did amazing music with Les

[@mikepennington1760]

Outstanding. I never quite imagined how excellent Les Paul was until seeing this upclose from John 5.

[@stanparchaiski5394]

The dude is outrageously talent. I love his playing.

[@mgcuniverse9037]

Western Swing Les Paul and Mary Ford had that genre on lock Anything they composed was so natural and beautiful Along with sophisticated

[@donseagrave]

les paul one of the best and john 5 one of the best of our times...hells yeah.

[@Penkiwi615]

Slowly becoming one of my favorite guitarist to watch and listen.

[@LD10000]

I like that he's playing it on a Tele..... Thank you for posting!

[@Rolimaus64]

I respect this man so much for what he can play besides his original stuff. Amazing and awesome doesn‘t describe his ability adequately. Les Paul would be so proud of him, even playing a Tele.

[@Catharticscrapper]

John 5 really making all of us guitarist step our games up.

[@monahang2634]

How cool this guy is ❤

[@robertkennedy5753]

Mind blowing interesting!

[@chocolatecookie8571]

Awesome!

[@Yardbird68]

Seeing how the MASTER Les Paul did this 73 years ago ( and inventing the techniques ); using what "primitive" ( by today's standards of recording etc,. ) equipment was available. Makes Les Paul's version OUTSHINE this wide and by far!

[@jeffspaulding9834]

Well sure, if you want to look at it that way. Les was great - hence why people want to tribute his work. Taking Les' work and putting a fresh spin on it doesn't mean you're trying to compete with the original, only that you're trying to share something you like with others who might appreciate it.

[@thefog7067]

Les Paul was not only a brilliant guitarist but also a master innovator, he invented and pioneered so many things

[@AnimalJohn85]

This man is too bloody good! Such a versatile and talented geetarist :)

[@BluesInSeattle]

Pretty good, Mr. 5 All the jazz shell chord voices are excellent, and the "crisp" clean sound with the picking is really sweet.

[@BCTGuitarPlayer]

Any genre...no wonder he's so good.

[@alnitakorionsbelt9730]

Great!!

[@Paindriller]

This is one of John 5 top 5 moments.

[@JustMe-dr2ci]

Nice job, sir! For those of you that don't know this exceptional piece of music, watch Les Paul and Mary Ford do the original. Absolutely amazing.

[@joshcampbell7809]

It was so awesome when I just got to see him play this in Columbus!!🤘💀

[@EdBenji]

This is carnival music!

[@ccaputa]

Truly a guitar player's guitar player.

[@bernmusic]

This is incredible, and the timing is impeccable. The guy who can play anything!

[@deandee8082]

purdy fookin good Johnny!

[@DMSProduktions]

John played with Lester a few times at the Iridium club in NY back in the 90s.

[@michaeloconnor7849]

That made me grin, top notch.

[@RandRMagician]

Amazing artist astounding talent

[@bubbles3161]

I Lear something every time I watch 5. I’m grasping little theoretical parts that make sense to me. Awesome 🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸

[@mosin9105]

The great John 5, love it!

[@jroc2201]

Excellent, well played

[@spankywzl]

John 5 tears it up while Les and Mary smile from the great beyond... \m/ * * \m/