Red Hot Chili Peppers Announce John Frusciante’s Return
The Red Hot Chili Peppers just announced that they are parting ways with guitarist Josh Klinghoffer and that John Frusciante is returning to the band.
In an Instagram post, they said, “The Red Hot Chili Peppers announce that we are parting ways with our guitarist of the past ten years, John Klinghoffer. Josh is a beautiful musician who we respect and love. We are deeply grateful for our time with him and the countless gifts that he shared with us. We also announce, with great excitement and full hearts, that John Frusciante is rejoining our group.” At press time, they have not shared the announcement on their website, Facebook page or Twitter account.
The band have yet to announce any more plans, although they do have some festival dates booked in 2020:they’re playing the Hangout Festival in Alabama and the Boston Calling festival in May and they have some European shows booked in June.
John Frusciante first joined the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1988, as the replacement for Hillel Slovak, who died of a drug overdose (DeWayne McKnight filled in for Slovak during 1988 before the band hired Frusciante). He recorded 1989’s Mother’s Milk and the band’s breakout album, 1991’s Blood Sugar Sex Magik before leaving the band in 1992, right before the band headlined the Lollapalooza tour.
He unexpectedly rejoined the band in 1998, after the Chili Peppers parted ways with Dave Navarro. After his return, they enjoyed huge success with 1999’s Californication, which was followed by 2002’s By The Way and 2006’s double album Stadium Arcadium. Frusciante left the band again in 2009, and was replaced by Klinghoffer. Frusciante brought Klinghoffer to the Chili Peppers; he was an extra touring musician with them on the Stadium Arcadium tour. He was with the band for their last two albums, 2010’s I’m With You and 2016’s The Getaway. In 2012 he was included as a member of the band for their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; he was only 32 years old at the time, making him the youngest musician ever inducted.
