John Frusciante rejoins Red Hot Chili Peppers
Frusciante returns as Josh Klinghoffer departs after 10 years with the band.
Image: Martin Philbey / Redferns
Red Hot Chili Peppers today announced on Instagram that John Frusciante is set to rejoin the band, with current six-stringer Josh Klinghoffer departing after 10 years. This will be Frusciante’s third stint with the Chili Peppers after spells in 1988-92 and 1998-2009.
Klinghoffer spent a decade as the lead guitar player for the Californian band, taking over from Frusciante following the 2006 album Stadium Arcadium. He played on 2011’s I’m With You, followed by The Getaway, the band’s first album to not feature Rick Rubin in the producer’s chair since 1989’s Mother’s Milk.
Frusciante left the Chili Peppers in 2008 to pursue solo projects. Longterm RHCP fans will doubtless be excited to hear the news of his return, as Frusciante’s previous stints coincided with artistic and commercial high-points in the shape of hit albums Blood Sugar Sex Magik, Californication and By The Way.
The official statement reads as follows:
“The Red Hot Chili Peppers announce that we are parting ways with our guitarist of the past ten years, Josh Klinghoffer. Josh is beautiful musician who we respect and love. We are deeply grateful for our time with him, and the countless gifts he shared with us.
“We also announce, with great excitement and full hearts, that John Frusciante is rejoining our group. Thank you.”
The news follows Klinghoffer’s recent announcement of new music under the moniker Pluralone. He continued to release music via other projects during his time in RHCP, notably three albums with the experimental rock band Dot Hacker.
Looking to whet your appetite ahead of Frusciante’s return? Learn how to play chords like him in our two-part guitar lesson, or simply watch him and the Chili Peppers in their pomp:
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