November 2025 • Volume 52, Number 01 • www. illinoisentertainer. com
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JOHN5 & RICHIEKOTZEN he exceptional guitar artistry of one John William Lowery, professionally known as John 5, is internationally celebrated. The guitarist’ s musical resume includes a wide range of diverse artists, such as k. d. Lang, Rod Stewart, Dolly Parton, and Meat Loaf, while also contributing to projects with rockers like David Lee Roth, Rob Halford, Lita Ford, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Marilyn Manson, and Rob Zombie.
Much like John 5’ s counterpart, fellow shredder and multiinstrumentalist Richie Kotzen has equally carved out a spectacular musical career with vast and diverse acts such as Smith / Kotzen, The Winery Dogs, Mr. Big, and Poison. Kotzen has released over 20 solo albums that span the musical gamut, encompassing genres such as rock, pop, blues, soul, R & B, funk, and jazz fusion.
Through late November, the duo will embark on a co-headlining tour across the US. A tour package featuring two prominent shredders, such as John 5 and Kotzen, makes for a special evening. These shows are guaranteed to be a great night not only for guitar fanatics, but for general music lovers as well.
PAGE20: JOHN5 & RICHIEKOTZEN
Kelley Simms spoke to the celebrated duo.
CinemaScopes 12
06 DANIEL ASH OF ASHES & DIAMONDS
At a seasoned 68, after five decades fronting aestheticallyvaried— and universally-enduring— projects like Bauhaus, Love and Rockets, Tones on Tail, and his latest edgier outfit Ashes and Diamonds— DanielAsh, the British guitarist / vocalist has been happy to explore not only his own instrumental style( with Ashes, he’ s experimenting with saxophone as well as the Big Country-popularized perpetual-sustain guitar device, the E-bow, but a nonstop influx of technological advances. which allowed him during the isolated Covid era to exchange music files with his two fellow A & D members, ex- P. I. L. drummer Bruce Smith and former Sade / Sweetback bassist Paul Spencer Denman and basically construct an entire 12-track album, which they later recorded post-lockdown in a ten-day LosAngeles studio stint. And it’ s a solid, celebratory set Tom Lanham had an inspiring an entertaining chat with Ash.
November film preview.
Spins
Jeff Tweedy, Robby Fulks, Coolio and more.
Media
Wild Kingdom comes fulll circle.
Calendar
1550 shows and 4000 bands, it’ s IE’ s live music calendar.
Record Store Day
Discover local stores, Complete RSD titles and previews.
Classifieds
Music services, musicians and more.
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Publisher John Vernon
Contributing Editors Curt Baran Tom Lanham Lori Vernon
Design Team Notion Pool Dragon Design Teknigram Graphics
Calendar Editor Aubrey Vernon
Classified Advertising David Gedge
Founder Kenneth L. Voss
Publisher Emeritis
David Roberts Publisher John Vernon
4 illinoisentertainer. com april 2019 Contributing Editors Curt Baran Tom Lanham illinoisentertainer. com november 2025
Advertising Sales Scott Assmann Mike Engel
Advertising Director John Vernon
Website Direction Notion Pool
Senior Columnists
Rosalind Cummings-Yeates
- Sweet Home Rick Kaempfer- Media
Kelley Simms- Caught In A Mosh
David C. Eldredge- East Coast
Advertising Sales Scott Assmann Mike Engel
Advertising Director
Contributors: Andy Argyrakis, Guy Arnston, Penelope Biver, Patrick Conlan, Deena Dasein, Jaime de ' Medici, Andy Derer, Jeff Elbel Terrence Flamm, Steve Forstneger Michael Gallucci, Michael C. Harris, Max Herman, Tom Lanham, Aubrey Vernon Carter Moss, Michael Obrecki, Greg Olma Arsenio Orteza, Rodney Pawlak, Steven Kikoen Bruce Pilato, Matthew Pollock, Jason Scales, Kelley Simms, Ed Spinelli, Riley Vernon, Tim Shockley, James Turano
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