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John Frusciante Rejoins Red Hot Chili Peppers: Josh Klinghoffer Leaves Group

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John Frusciante is returning to the Red Hot Chili Peppers as Josh Klinghoffer departs the group, the Red Hot Chili Peppers wrote in an Instagram post Sunday afternoon.

“The Red Hot Chili Peppers announce that we are parting ways with our guitarist of the past 10 years, Josh Klinghoffer,” the band wrote on Instagram. “Josh is a 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.”

The band did not announce the reasons for Josh Klinghoffer’s departure or John Frusciante’s return. Frusciante’s return comes after a 10 year absence. Klinghoffer served as the bands guitarist since 2009, appearing on all albums since “I’m With You” in 2011.

“The reunion marks Frusciante’s third stint with Red Hot Chili Peppers: After joining the band in 1988 following the death of guitarist Hillel Slovak, Frusciante featured on the band’s 1989 LP Mother’s Milk and 1991 masterpiece Blood Sugar Sex Magik; the enormous success of the latter resulted in Frusciante leaving the group mid-tour in support of the album,” Rolling Stone reported.

Red Hot Chili Peppers has seven shows scheduled for the summer of 2021, including festival appearances at Hangout Music Festival, Boston Calling and four shows abroad. See more tour dates or buy tickets here.

Here’s what you need to know:

John Frusciante Fans Called his Return to Red Hot Chili Peppers ‘A Christmas Miracle’

Fans of John Frusciante were quick to share their excitement on social media as the news spread of his return to the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

“I DON’T THINK YOU ALL KNOW HOW EXCITED I AM RIGHT NOW!!” one fan wrote on Twitter. “I was already beyond pumped to see them (for the third time) live at @bostoncalling but now it is going to be even more amazing!! Let’s GOOOOO @ChiliPeppers ! #JohnFrusciante.”

There are seven shows already scheduled for the summer of 2021, including festival appearances at Hangout Music Festival, Boston Calling and four shows abroad. See more tour dates or buy tickets here.

Others shared videos and clips of Frusciante performing.

“When I was 13 I started playing guitar. John Frusciante was the reason. Today he came home,” another fan wrote on Twitter.

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“WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE” he wrote earlier.

Another fan wrote, “John Frusciante rejoining @ChiliPeppers Merry Christmas everyone!!!!”

Another fan shared a gif from The Office. “JOHN FRUSCIANTE IS REJOINING THE RED HOT CHILLI PEPPERS. THIS. IS. NOT. A. DRILL. I REPEAT. JOHN FRUSCIANTE IS REJOINING THE RED HOT CHILLI PEPPERS,” she wrote.

“JOHN FRUSCIANTE IS BACK WITH THE RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS. THERE IS A GOD FOLKS, THIS IS A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE” another fan wrote.

“John Frusciante getting back with the chili peppers is the true meaning of Christmas,” wrote another fan.

This is the second time Frusciante rejoined the band. His original tenure with the band was from 1989 to 1992. He announced he was leaving after the band gained “overwhelming popularity” with its release of Blood Sugar Sex Magik in 1991, Live For Live Music reported. He developed a serious addiction to heroin.

“However, after a six year absence where he successfully completed a rehabilitation program, Frusciante rejoined RHCP in 1998, after which the group would release the monstrously successful Californication in 1999,” the news outlet reported. “But it would not last. 2006’s Stadium Arcadium would mark Frusciante’s fifth and final album with the Chili Peppers, and he would announce in 2009, after the release of his solo album The Empyrean, which featured Flea and Klinghoffer, that he was once again leaving the group. He would be replaced by Klinghoffer for the last few dates of the tour supporting Stadium Arcadium and all subsequent albums and tours.”

John Frusciante Left Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1991 to Face his Heroin Addiction & Again in 2009 When The Band Was on Hiatus

John Frusciante left the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 2009 when the band was on an indefinite hiatus. He and the other band members felt no animosity for each other, he said when he announced his departure. He was subsequently replaced by Josh Klinghoffer.

“When I quit the band, over a year ago, we were on an indefinite hiatus. There was no drama or anger involved, and the other guys were very understanding,” Frusciante said at the time, according to NME. “They are supportive of me doing whatever makes me happy and that goes both ways. To put it simply, my musical interests have led me in a different direction.”

His first stint with the band was from 1988 to 1991, according to Rolling Stone. He left due to the band’s success, which had become overwhelming to him. He became addicted to heroin and went into treatment.

“Frusciante rejoined Chili Peppers six years later, playing on the band’s 1999 album Californication, 2002’s By the Way and 2006’s Stadium Arcadium,” Rolling Stone reported. “Frusciante quit the band again in September 2009 during their extended hiatus and was replaced on a full-time basis by Klinghoffer, who was the band’s backup touring guitarist. Klinghoffer remained a member of Red Hot Chili Peppers for their two most recent studio albums, 2011’s I’m With You and 2016’s The Getaway. In 2016, Frusciante briefly reunited with Anthony Kiedis and Flea at a benefit concert.”

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