John Frusciante quits the Red Hot Chili Peppers

[Zlatan]

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. 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. Upon rejoining, and throughout my time in the band, I was very excited about exploring the musical possibilities inherent in a rock band, and doing so with those people in particular. A couple of years ago, I began to feel that same excitement again, but this time it was about making a different kind of music, alone, and being my own engineer.

I really love the band and what we did. I understand and value that my work with them means a lot to many people, but I have to follow my interests. For me, art has never been something done out of a sense of duty. It is something I do because it is really fun, exciting, and interesting. Over the last 12 years, I have changed, as a person and artist, 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. There was no choice involved in this decision. I simply have to be what I am, and have to do what I must do.

Sending love and gratitude to you all.
(source: http://www.johnfrusciante.com)

Although it had been coming, I had to fight the tears reading this. Apparently he had already decided to quit the band a year ago, but only today he announced it officially. It has been reported that his good friend Josh Klingerhoffer has been playing with the band since they went into the studio in October.

What will happen to the RHCP?
My favourite guitarist quit one of my favourite bands. I'm afraid they won't have incredible jams like this anymore:



It'll also mean I'll probably never get to see him live, since he never tours solo and certainly not in Europe.
Sad day this.

 

[Juventino]

Wow I'm a huge fan of RHCP's music and John Frusciante in particular. His spiritual way of playing was the main reason I got into them. Luckily I got to see them live twice, and on both occasions they were f*cking awesome. Since his return in '99 he always was, at least to me, the heart and soul of the band.

But hey, we can be excited about his musical future. Sometimes he seems to literally burst from inspiration...

 

[Jaboldinho]

Read the rumours a couple of days ago and was absolutely dumbstruck. Just can't believe it... RHCP has always been a band where every one is important, but to me Frusciante was still the element which made it so great. Just looking at him jamming with Flea... Man.

When you think rationally, it's hard to not see it coming, but it's still a shock, as you just hope it won't happen.

My favorite of his solo work:

 

[Zlatan]

For me there's only two legitimate RHCP lineups; one is the original one with Carlos Irons and Hillel Slovak and the other one is the classic lineup with John, Flea, Chad and Anthony. John here is a vital creative part of the band. I'm afraid the RHCP will fall back into obscurity without him, like they did in the mid-90's after he left the band.

 

[Juventino]

Yeah, the chemistry they have is just extremely rare. Each moment they have spent making music together, each album, each concert, each jam, is something special and true to RHCP. They won't reach those creative heights with anyone else. Red Hot Chili Peppers, as we know it, is gone.