John Frusciante Leaves Red Hot Chili Peppers…Again

December 14^th, 2009 at 12:12 PM

John Frusciante Leaves Red Hot Chili Peppers…Again

Red-Hot-Chili-Peppers-w05

Once again, prodigal guitarist John Frusciante has left the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

“Mentally, John checked out a long time ago,” claims a published source close to the band. “He’s interested in doing his own thing, his own albums – the whole big rock band machinery just doesn’t appeal to him anymore.” Meanwhile, reports claim that touring guitarist Josh Klinghoffer (boasting an impressive touring resume including Sparks, PJ Harvey, and Beck) has replaced Frusciante on a full-time basis. Klinghoffer appeared live with the Chili Peppers throughout their 2007 tour, supporting successful double-album Stadium Arcadium.

Despite Frusciante’s ambitious and cult-favorite solo career, his departure from the band seems even more shocking the second time around. At the age of 22, Frusciante abruptly quit the band at the height of their popularity, eventually revealing a severe drug addiction. After cleaning up and rehabilitating, he rejoined the band in 1997, and has remained with the band for three successful records. Frusciante also remained heavily dedicated to his solo material, releasing nine records worth of material over the course of ten years.

While Frusciante has abruptly left the band, the Chili Peppers are gearing up for their tenth studio record. A few months prior, drummer Chad Smith revealed plans to enter the studio in October, in hopes to have a record ready for release in late 2010. Though the band have not issued a statement about the record’s progress or Frusciante’s status, perhaps the guitarist had time to lay down some tracks for the record before his departure.

By Frank Deserto

Filed under Featured Posts, News

Comments

December 14^th, 2009 at 12:47 PM { # }

Rodrigo Cayo said:

Well … for me “the whole big rock band machinery” for a lot of artists being fake because you are in a big band is not a nice and comfortable place to be. John just broke up that wall in front of him and now he feels much better representing his own. He is expanding … good John.
December 14^th, 2009 at 12:47 PM { # }

halle said:

ARE YOU KIDDING ME !? my boyfriend has been listening to this band for 3 years and their music has gotten him threw everything.. !!!!!!!!!!! and the year he plans on seeing the band for his first time since he idolizes them SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH john leaves? WTF JOHN ! your like god ! are you kidding me !? whyyy !!!!!!!
December 14^th, 2009 at 12:47 PM { # }

harmony said:

Good 4 John, had a feeling the last few years this was going to happen.

Press on, John
December 14^th, 2009 at 12:47 PM { # }

Mark said:

Why is everyone so supportive of someone who’s left their band hanging, twice?

BSSM was the “wheel”. It was amazing. Since then, John hasn’t done any reinventing, or even come close to the talent and ingenuity that went into that work. Have you listened to his solo work? Listen to one album. There, you’ve heard them all. Have you singled him out and listened to his work with RHCP? It’s not mind blowing.

John is a great musician with RHCP because it’s four people who come together beautifully and compliment eachother very well. John, away from the Peppers…Ehhhh…not so much. He’s got a great tone, but, technically, it’s the same thing over and over.

Also, you talk about John “Growing” or “expanding”…Are you sure you’re not referring to his ego?
December 14^th, 2009 at 12:47 PM { # }

chris said:

RHCP without john will be nothing, i was really looking forward to their new album but without johnny the album will not be as good, fingers crossed that all this rumor and speculation is false. PLEASE LET IT BE FALSE!!!!
December 14^th, 2009 at 12:47 PM { # }

the empyrean said:

I think these are probably lies. john just got done being critical over his fame. he will always do his solo thing, he has proven that he doesnt need to be away from the band to accomplish that. i wouldnt worry guys. even if mr. f leaves i doubt it will be long before he returns….. if he doesnt i would have to say that the chili peppers are through.
December 14^th, 2009 at 12:47 PM { # }

superdonyoungy said:

Well last time he left he came back with scar tissue and the californication album, so the fact he’s left leaves him open to come back with something better than stadium arcadium.
December 14^th, 2009 at 12:47 PM { # }

Mike Stop Continues said:

People, recording an album for a band as famous as the Red Hots takes a LOT of time, promoting takes a LOT of time, touring takes a LOT of time. Also, they’re all crazy rich. If John needs the time to work on his own material, that’s his own choice. It’s got nothing to do with what other people might think of his ego, the quality of his material, or anything else. I should hope that after each of you discovers you’ve reached the point of being successful, you choose to enjoy your lives in the way that YOU choose, because that would be an appropriate award for you’re life well spent.
December 14^th, 2009 at 12:47 PM { # }

SJ said:

I FEEL LIKE MY PARENTS JUST GOT DIVORCED. If it’s true, I would prefer RHCP to just stop now. It’s like watching your mom date another guy. and oh yeah…FUCK!!!
December 14^th, 2009 at 12:47 PM { # }

Jackmc said:

This kills my frusciante is an amazing musician and one of the greatest guitar players ever there is no one right now who can replace him. Hopefully the peppers will retain the sound that has made them what they are today.
December 14^th, 2009 at 12:47 PM { # }

Sad said:

I’m going to cry…..this band is my life and john was a crucial part of it
December 14^th, 2009 at 12:47 PM { # }

Patrick said:

I can’t believe it this cannot be happening. The Red Hot Chili Peppers have gotten me through so much. This is a disaster!
I’m not kidding when I say that i worship them. Hell I spent thousands to travel to Paris to see them because they wouldn’t come to Dubai. FUCK this sucks a lot!
I remember the wait for Stadium Arcadium. And i remember hearing them for the first time. By the Way.
They have brought so much meaning to my life. I really hope that this isn’t true and is a whole load of bullshit. I don’t care how good this new guy is, they will never be the same. Ever.
I am on the brink of tears right now. These guys have gotten me through so much shit; break-ups, loses, deaths everything.
Well thanks for all the music and I will always love these guys.
December 14^th, 2009 at 12:47 PM { # }

Melody said:

Oh come on, the Chilis are awesome, John Fru’s solo shiz is awesome. You gotta do what you gotta do. The Chilis and John’s solo music have been a big part of my childhood too but good on John! The Chilis lost their knack a while back for being ground-breaking song writers anyway. Mother’s Milk and Blood Sugar were a long time ago. Their songs now are nice. Easy-going. They can manage that without John I’m sure. Besides it might be the start of something great. Particularly for John. He’s much younger than the others and he has stuff he wants to achieve. Go John and go Chilis.
December 14^th, 2009 at 12:47 PM { # }

chilipepper_redhead said:

OMG! REALLY!?
RHCP is my all time favorite band and john is a effin’ wizzard on guitar! He’s great on his own,but w/the group it jus feels and sounds like home,ya kno? I will always support each band member in whatever they decide but it wont be the same. Just remmember last time John left he was replaced by Dave Navorrow, w/him they released the album “One hot minute” wich didnt do so good. The new guys has some big shoes to fill. I have been waiting and waiting for the peppers to relase a new album,so im still excited, A.K.Fle and Chad will still work thier magic!
December 14^th, 2009 at 12:47 PM { # }

chilipepper_redhead said:

Anyone RCHP fans wanna chat about the band w/me? I would love to make some new rocjer friends to chat music w/me. email me or IM me! lil_tita86@yahoo.com
December 14^th, 2009 at 12:47 PM { # }

Bean said:

SJ said:

I FEEL LIKE MY PARENTS JUST GOT DIVORCED.

OMG I feel the same:(
December 14^th, 2009 at 12:47 PM { # }

darko said:

john is a fucking junky retard fuck you JOHN you disapointed me!
December 14^th, 2009 at 12:47 PM { # }

Brian said:

Let me start by saying this is only my opinion. I think people like JF are very special. For lack of another way to say it “touched”. Being part of structure for people like this is hard. Imagine if your favorite artist(painter) was told “paint only with these colors and these brushes. JF was able to keep the good working relationship as long as he could because he loved his RHCP brothers. I also think he wants to stay stress free and addicted to his current solo music and not drugs. Cuz lets face it takes a new addiction to keep you from what you addicted to.

As for you Pepper fans, Johns solo stuff transcends RHCP in a different spiritual way. The funky high energy that you felt with the Peppers parallels to an equal emotional warmness on the recent solo releases. And like all good brothers I think he will come back
December 14^th, 2009 at 12:47 PM { # }

Bouke said:

Rhcp would suck without Frusciante. Not just because of him but it’s just that the four of them together just sound and feel right..
But I like his work and I hope he comes up with something great.
Also, I think the rest of them should do whatever they want, but to me they are not Rhcp anymore if Frusciante is gone..
December 14^th, 2009 at 12:47 PM { # }

anthonyswife said:

COME ON RHCP FANS! DONT CRY!! omg dont believe the bastards trying to trick us! and for those of u who swore at JOHNAAY… UR NOT REAL FANs
anyway im not believing this until a real video comes and john sazs “ive left the band” i suggest all of u do that!
if this was real id cry like hell but its not! i love RHCP and fans
December 14^th, 2009 at 12:47 PM { # }

LA said:

@ MARK

Are you kidding me? John Frusciante ’same thing over and over’? It’s quite obvious you’re a hater, but I doubt the RHCP are left ‘hanging’. Especially now, they’re way past their prime anyways.
December 14^th, 2009 at 12:47 PM { # }

dodoy said:

Don’t worry guys! I mean, this is a new beginning for the band and i can’t wait. John is a great guitarist, but AK, Flea and Chad can still work together perfectly. And they have gotten way better since One Hot Minute. So heads up! can’t wait to see the peppers in a new light.
December 14^th, 2009 at 12:47 PM { # }

jackobi said:

these guys are the craziest band i ve ever seen!!!!!!well if i was in john’s shoes i wouldn’t live such and succeful band where i became famous and adoreable to the audience.pfff whatever!!!it’s his choices…
December 14^th, 2009 at 12:47 PM { # }

Mike said:

I would have to disagree with mark on the part that each one of his albums is very differnt and unique sounding ie. the difference between curtains and To record only water for ten days, And I think that the last couple chili records were pretty disapointingly filled with alot more poor filler songs than good ones. But it is pretty lame how he is leaving the peppers hanging this late in their career as he do so early too. I hope whatever is going through his head is somewhat level, but history has shown otherwise unfortunately//
December 14^th, 2009 at 12:47 PM { # }

flearm14 said:

it does not matter, they no longer make the music that made them unique, stadium arcadium was a horrible mess, either way, the peppers were done
December 14^th, 2009 at 12:47 PM { # }

Denise said:

Wow! I’m almost 2 months behind but this is a huge shock! The Chillis and johns solo stuff has helped me thru a lot also and the other day i was feeling a bit low so decided to put them on….which led me to check out wat was going on with the guys today and i find this! As for those people who have said johns solo stuff is crap and rhcp havent recorded anything decent since bssm….. im in true disbelief that these words are coming from fans! Each album is unique and amazing in truly diffrerent ways, i think you all need to really listen to the music as oppose to hearing the noise….or please get musically educated before you make these calls…. i agree it wont be the same but i understand john is a true artist and needs to follow his desires… sad that he has to leave the others though, they are like family and its amazing how deeply this band touches their fans like no other band has ever before…