Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Frusciante leaves band

John Frusciante

Credit: AP Photo

Apparently, Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante has quit the rock band for a second time. A year ago.

In a MySpace post titled "Clarification," the axeman explained, "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."

The Chilis reconvened in October to start on a follow-up to 2006's "Stadium Arcadium," after a two year hiatus from recording and touring.

Frusciante goes on to say that he was exploring his solo career, as his "own engineer," continuing to prove it with the January digital-only release of a the set "The Empyrean." He's released 10 solo records total.

Frusciante joined RHCP in 1988, quit in 1992 then returned in 1998 after completing heroin rehab.

Why is Frusciante making this statement now? He likely forsaw an awkward moment when guitarist Josh Klinghoffer takes the stage instead of him at the Jan. 20 MusicCares ceremony honoring Neil Young. The band has yet to name a permanent replacement.

Maybe he's working on another solo set. Maybe he wanted to hear some of the new RHCP material before saying it was for sure. Maybe he RHCP didn't get the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nod and was just holding out until they knew for sure (right). Maybe he was waiting for a call from Thom Yorke.

Katie Hasty
Managing Editor

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After five years as a columnist and editor at Billboard, Katie Hasty joined HitFix in 2009 for music and film reporting out of New York. The Midwest native has worked as a writer, music promoter and in A&R since 1999 and performs with her band Numbers And Letters.