In a surprise move, Red Hot Chili Peppers have announced John Frusciante will rejoin the band after ten years away.
The news marks the end of Josh Klinghoffer's two-album tenure with the band. A statement from the band on their Instagram can be seen below.
A post shared by Red Hot Chili Peppers (@chilipeppers)
A photo posted by on on Dec 15, 2019 at 12:28pm PST
Frusciante was an integral part of the band for its two most successful eras between 1988–1992 and after he rejoined for the Californincation album 1998–2009.
Speaking in 2009 of his decision to leave the band, Frusciante said, "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."
Get the MusicRadar Newsletter
Want all the hottest music and gear news, reviews, deals, features and more, direct to your inbox? Sign up here.
Rob is the Reviews Editor for GuitarWorld.com and MusicRadar guitars, so spends most of his waking hours (and beyond) thinking about and trying the latest gear while making sure our reviews team is giving you thorough and honest tests of it. He's worked for guitar mags and sites as a writer and editor for nearly 20 years but still winces at the thought of restringing anything with a Floyd Rose.