John Frusciante Has Quit The Red Hot Chili Peppers
Thursday, 17 December 2009
Written by Jon Stickler
Following on from Stereoboard.com’s report yesterday, the rumours that John Frusciante has quit the Red Hot Chili Peppers have now been backed up with a statement from the guitarist, confirming to fans that he has left the Californian band.
Hailed as one of the most successful and popular bands of their generation, Red Hot Chili Peppers were initially oddballs. During the early years, appearing on stage naked apart from the inappropriate use of socks, the band were an underground success mixing punk with funk. The band broke worldwide after the release of the album ‘Blood Sugar Sex Magik’.
Shortly after the release however John Frusciante left the group to battle heroin addiction. He rejoined the band almost a decade later clean of drugs, and sparking a huge reversal of fortunes blasting the Red Hot Chili Peppers back into the charts.
Recently the band have been enjoying a spell as one of the biggest bands in the world before announcing a hiatus in 2007. The various members have gone down their separate roads on side projects since then but recent rumours reported that John Frusciante had no intentions of re-joining the Chilis.
Speaking on his official website John Frusciante confirmed in a statement to fans that he actually quit over a year ago.
“When I quit the band, over a year ago, we were on an indefinite hiatus,” he wrote. “There was no drama or anger involved, and the other guys were very understanding. They are supportive of my doing whatever makes me happy and that goes both ways. To put it simply, my musical interests have led me in a different direction.”
“Over the last 12 years, I have changed, as a person and artists, to such a degree that to do further work along the lines I did with the band would be to go against my own nature,” he explained.
“There was no choice involved in this decision. I simply have to be what I am, and have to do what I must do.”
Fans will no doubt be shocked at the guitar virtuoso’s announcement. The Red Hot Chili Peppers are currently looking for a full time replacement for Frusciante but in the meantime his position is being filled by Josh Klinghoffer.
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!
