Red Hot Chili Peppers announce longtime guitarist John Frusciante is rejoining the band

16 December 2019, 10:02 | Written by Cerys Kenneally

(News)

(Red Hot Chili Peppers) (John Frusciante)

Red Hot Chili Peppers announced last night (15 December) that their previous guitarist John Frusciante is rejoining the band after leaving a decade ago.

John Frusciante joined Red Hot Chili Peppers after Hillel Slovak's death in 1988, and first left the band in 1992, rejoined in 1998, and left again in 2009.

The legendary guitarist didn't record another album with Anthony Kiedis, Chad Smith, and Flea after 2006's Stadium Arcadium, but last night (15 December), Red Hot Chili Peppers announced some surprising news.

RHCP wrote on Instagram, "we are parting ways with out guitarist of the past ten years, Josh Klinghoffer. 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."

Before closing their announcement, the band added, "We also announce, with great excitement and full hearts, that John Frusciante is rejoining our group."

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A post shared by Red Hot Chili Peppers (@chilipeppers) on Dec 15, 2019 at 12:28pm PST

Klinghoffer joined Red Hot Chili Peppers as a guitarist in 2009, but had been a longtime friend of the band, often touring and playing keyboards on stage with Frusciante and co.

Their I'm With You guitarist has been associated with many great acts over the years, including Warpaint, Gnarls Barkley, Dot Hacker, Cate Le Bon, The Black Keys, and many others.

Klinghoffer's departure could mean that Red Hot Chili Peppers could announce some reunion shows for next year. It's not yet known what Josh Klinghoffer will do after leaving the band.