Guitarist John Frusciante confirms he is leaving band Red Hot Chili Peppers. In a post on his official site dated Wednesday, December 16, he confirmed that he has left the rock music act over a year ago, making it his second time quitting the group after his first one back in 1992. "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," he wrote. "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."
John went on writing, "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," so he ended his post.
John Frusciante first joined Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1988 as a replacement for its original guitarist, Hillel Slovak, who died of a heroin overdose. He left the band in 1992 before rejoining in 1999. In the wake of John's leave, the band haven't named a replacement just yet.