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

[@frankrichards3089]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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 🤩

[@VannyTonon]

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

[@clarkpitts5393]

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

[@shearn666]

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

[@Uncle_Mark2600]

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

[@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!

[@shadcovert1160]

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

[@frankrichards3089]

Crazy flick

[@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!

[@SlimFatty3691]

Too funny...i'm 62 now, but when i was a kid i also thought musicians went to the radio station!! It wasn't until my mom showed me a record and explained it all. This is the first time i've ever heard anyone say the same thing! Somehow i feel better now knowing i'm not alone! Thanks John. 😅 Anyhow, great show as usual. Am a fairly recent viewer.

[@markdoell1834]

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

[@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

[@trioguitar]

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

[@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.

[@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...

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@patricklennox9572]

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

[@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.

[@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….

[@mikeweeds4048]

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

[@jcop14]

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

[@gsmeeuwsen]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@The_Macaroon]

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

[@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….

[@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

[@bradhardisty1652]

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

[@pinzgauerbelgium]

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

[@thedudeabides2968]

Great choices!!

[@GiantEyeOne]

Cool pics John 5!

[@VegasLoungeAct]

He looks amazing for his age

[@flyfishincrazy]

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

[@MM1717mm]

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

[@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...

[@ScarlettEmeraldASMR]

Great selection 😊😊

[@RunTFC]

Very cool, thanks.

[@lescorlett4133]

I can't take his picks seriously. He's got KISS in the Top 5.

[@tjh315]

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

[@frankrichards3089]

Eclectic dude. Monkees Joni Mitchell Floyd nice.

[@Crinkle65]

Should be 20 picks. Great show

[@Winterstick549]

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

[@MrKSGrundy]

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

[@lotharklein8242]

does anyone know what happened to john 1 to 4?

[@Burtmax068]

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

[@kurtzcol]

picked some solid choices

[@FrankieLovesElvis]

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

[@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.

[@judyhenderson2105]

He's the greatest 😊😊😊

[@frankrichards3089]

Seeing a car and seeing a race car nice analogy.

[@TRICK-OR-TREAT236]

JOHNNY 5 IS ALIVE !

[@StephanHeinemann1]

VH I was amazing and Pink Floyd 🎉

[@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

[@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 😂😂

[@EDDIE-c7f8y]

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

[@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. 🤦

[@jostaffordjr]

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

[@jesselp50]

Van Halen I is untouchable

[@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.......

[@blutomindpretzel1735]

Love Gun was the KISS gold standard. Peak album

[@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

[@csnide6702]

Really like how John5 plays guitar.... he has shown great diversity in his playing over the years..... BUT-- to side with Motley Crue's Neil , Lee and Sixx against Mick Mars (you know- the ONE ACTUAL musician in that band) for a tour job & paycheck is really BUSH LEAGUE.

[@jamesvincent1434]

U F O/Obsession/Lights Out/No Heavy Petting/Force It/Phenomenon🪐

[@frankies9465]

Besides Kiss and Van Halen, i dont like any of the other picks. To me, The Wall doesnt hold up at all. Animals is 100% better

[@johnfaulk7775]

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

[@JerrySpencer-f7f]

5 the greatest

[@jakejohnson7714]

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

[@detroitculture.]

To be young again…

[@ecinaz]

Cool record store

[@renemarrero6523]

John 5 👍

[@paulkraynak5604]

In an alternate universe, me and this dude are best friends, and have way too much in common, minus the talent.

[@stevenhollingsworth733]

I did not know alex jones had a music channel

[@gizzy2403]

No, AJ would interrupt every 10 seconds to tell them what they really meant to say😅

[@666Otomo]

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

[@TheMolacho1]

KISS ALIVE!

[@Alzrad]

Really, I thought he was Lita Ford by the thumbnail

[@tymanngruter1808]

It is nothing special Pink Floyd has a place in each guitarists heart.

[@VH-Fan-007]

The Monkees were the original boy band … they did the singing though

[@howardford6991]

In no particular order............ RUSH 2112 Zeppelin 4 Dark Side Of The Moon Boston's first album ......Sorry, can only think of 4

[@r.m.m.1333]

Is this the same Eric Young, the Pro-Wrestler from WWE, TNA, and the indies?

[@crazyhorsejohnny1974]

Yes

[@desisdosis473]

Is this the wrestler Eric Young?

[@MB-oc1nw]

The only one I even remotely like is the Van Halen record...everything else, nope

[@david7806]

I have to admit the monkeys surprised me.

[@scottkovacs7634]

My first kiss album was dressed to kill my first kiss concert was alive 2

[@lucianoluggren]

12:38 🤣Ha, don't beat yourself up John, you weren't stupid, you just had a great imagination.

[@WeLuv9x5]

Dude is NOT 1313!

[@BlazingShackles]

Whats wrong with roid boys voice?

[@Freecoke6]

He's half toad half gremlin half man

[@MM1717mm]

Rude

[@BlazingShackles]

@@MM1717mm poor child, need a hug?

[@tjp3rd]

It's so annoying to hear

[@genghiskhando5507]

Sounds like Alex Jones

[@surfzion]

Cool dude, great musician. I can't stand people recording concerts with their phone though, I find stupid and disrespectful with the artist, even if they don't care.

[@Heroofthesand]

VAN HALEN

[@kcsvantasticvoyages9729]

Commentator has hard rasp for sure.

[@centaurus5676]

What's up with the presenters voice? sounds like Robert Kennedy Jnr.

[@davidscleveland1505]

Funny how I knew it was Eric Young buy his voice.

[@CleverDowed]

I wish he would get a .......

[@Joseph-l6w]

I've noticed that people's attention spans are now equal to goldfish