Fans at the Goldfield Trading Post in Roseville, California, were treated to an unforgettable moment on October 18, 2025, when guitarist John 5 ripped through a medley of Mötley Crüe classics. As part of his fall U.S. tour with Richie Kotzen, the performance included a powerful mix of the band’s greatest hits — “Home Sweet Home,” “Wild Side,” “Girls, Girls, Girls,” and “Dr. Feelgood.” A fan-filmed video, uploaded to YouTube by the user markmunoz22, captured the electric energy of the performance.
John 5’s masterful playing reflected both technical precision and genuine love for the Crüe’s catalog. Every riff carried his signature style — clean, fast, and ferociously tight — yet remained faithful to the spirit of the originals. Fans online have praised the guitarist for his flawless tone and effortless transitions between the tracks, making the medley one of the highlights of his solo tour so far.
The performance served as a celebration of his journey with the band since joining in late 2022. Taking over the iconic role left by co-founder Mick Mars, John 5 has seamlessly blended his own style into Mötley Crüe’s sound while paying respect to the band’s history. His latest live medley only reinforced how comfortably he has stepped into the position — not as a replacement, but as a reinvigorating force.
From Vegas Lights to the Open Road
Before hitting the road with Kotzen, John 5 had just wrapped up Mötley Crüe’s Las Vegas residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM. Originally planned for spring, the residency was rescheduled to fall 2025 after frontman Vince Neil’s health setback. For John 5, the Vegas run marked a first — his inaugural experience with a residency — and it quickly became a memorable chapter in his career.
He described the experience as a mix of excitement and awe, soaking in the energy of the desert and the rhythm of nightly performances. While the rest of the band would often fly home between shows, John 5 stayed in Vegas, enjoying the atmosphere and the chance to live out what he called a dream come true. “I love being on the road. I like the hotel, I like the room service, I like the whole thing,” he told WRIF.
Beyond the bright lights, however, what stood out to him most was Vince Neil’s resilience. Watching Neil return to the stage after enduring serious health challenges deeply moved the guitarist. “That was the real magic,” he said. “He went through hell and came back stronger.” Each show, John 5 noted, felt special because of that comeback story — a reminder that passion and perseverance still drive Mötley Crüe.
The Thrills and Chaos of the Stage
Among the highlights of the residency was a gravity-defying moment that had John 5 and bassist Nikki Sixx performing high above the audience. During “Kickstart My Heart,” both musicians ascended on risers, a spectacle reminiscent of KISS’s larger-than-life stage antics. But unlike the legendary band, Mötley Crüe added their own dangerous twist — no safety harnesses.
John 5 recalled the adrenaline of balancing mid-performance while shredding in perfect time. “I was just holding on with one arm and playing with the other,” he laughed, describing how he maneuvered through clouds of confetti without missing a note. What could have been a risky ordeal turned into one of the tour’s most talked-about moments — a mix of chaos, comedy, and pure rock showmanship.
Those moments of spontaneity captured what fans love about John 5’s stage presence: total commitment and a sense of fun. Even under the most unpredictable conditions, his professionalism and humor shone through. It was that fearless attitude that made each performance feel uniquely alive — a modern-day extension of Mötley Crüe’s unpredictable, high-octane legacy.
Vince Neil’s Hard-Fought Return
Vince Neil’s return to the stage this year was nothing short of miraculous. The singer revealed that he had suffered multiple strokes over the years, including a major one last Christmas that left him unable to walk or move his left side. Doctors initially warned him that he might never perform again, but Neil refused to accept that fate.
With determination and months of rehabilitation, he gradually regained his strength — transitioning from a wheelchair to a walker, and eventually back to full mobility. When the band postponed its Vegas residency, fans didn’t know the full story behind the delay. Now that the details are public, Neil’s performance has taken on a new level of emotional depth.
For John 5, Neil’s recovery symbolized what rock and roll has always stood for — resilience and defiance in the face of adversity. “He worked his butt off to get back,” John 5 said, praising his bandmate’s grit. Together, the band’s energy onstage in 2025 has proven that Mötley Crüe is far from slowing down, and John 5’s blistering medley performances are the perfect testament to that enduring spirit.