Questions About RHCP Hiatus and John Frusciante's Second Departure?

Question

Hi everyone,

I have a few questions about the RHCP hiatus (between Stadium Arcadium and I'm With You), along with John Frusciante's most recent departure, that I haven't been able to find the answer to. Any help would be appreciated, even if you only know the answers / can speculate about some of these questions:

1. Which exact month did John leave RHCP? Although he only announced his departure in December 2009, he claimed that he had actually left over a year before. I'm thinking that he left sometime in the fall of 2008, though John's account on this issue and the claim in the official RHCP are different - the book claims that John left in July 2009. Anthony Kiedis also said in an interview (right before sessions for I'm With You began in September 2010) that John had left 11 months before that (meaning October 2009). I'm confused!

2. Why didn't anyone officially announce John's departure when it happened, with John posting a statement over a year after he left? I speculate that John wanted to stay out of the spotlight, and that the other guys were still hoping that he would come back once the hiatus ended, so they kept John's departure a secret.

3. Do you think the RHCP hiatus at the end of the Stadium Arcadium tour influenced John's decision to leave? While it was initially claimed that the decision to go on hiatus was mutual (and I still believe this account), it was Flea's idea to go on hiatus in the first place. Do you think that John got tired of waiting around for the 2 year hiatus to end, or alternately that he would have left if the other guys didn't agree to go on any hiatus?

4. Does John still talk to Anthony, Flea, and Chad? It doesn't seem that there's any bad blood between John and the other 3 guys, with neither Anthony, Chad, or Flea talking negatively about John in recent interviews with them. However, I haven't heard any stories of John hanging out recently with the other 3 guys.

5. Are there any interviews that have been conducted with John concerning his most recent departure? I haven't been able to find any interviews at all that John might have done since he announced his departure. His official departure notice is the only statement I've seen him give concerning this issue.

6. (a) While Flea recently revealed that he considered leaving RHCP during the hiatus, do you think Chad and Anthony were also thinking about leaving, or that they were definitely planning on continuing on with RHCP at the end of the hiatus?

(b) If Flea had also left during the hiatus, do you think that Chad and Anthony would have tried to continue on the band with a new bassist and guitarist?

I don't mean any disrespect towards John Frusciante or any current RHCP members - I think highly of all of them and I'm wondering what the answers are to these questions, as a huge RHCP fan. Thanks!

Answer 1

1. When John released his official statement via his official website, it indicates that he left some time in 2008. And that's really what you should believe. That's probably when HE decided to leave. The rest of the band is confused, as maybe they were optimistic that he would return. And if you think about it, it makes sense. If he quit in 2008, they probably said, "He's needs more time away from the band and away from the spotlight." But when they got together to once again in 2009, that's when they realized he was serious.



2. John's departure was not announced right away, because they were still unsure. And also, the Chili Peppers had been nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. If his departure was announced beforehand, then there might have been a possibility that it could have swayed voting. And they didn't want that.



3. The hiatus definitely influenced John and so did the tour itself. There were rumors of a lot of tension but nothing too serious. John did not get tired of the hiatus, if fact I think he didn't want it to end. While every band has an obligation to tour for their fans, touring is a soul sucking experience. After the tour, he went back home and focused on his own music career full time, working on his own music and being his own engineer. The thing about John is that he's not a typical musician/rock star. His life revolves around music, and musically, he has evolved and no longer want to pursue a career with the chilis. It's unfortunate, but it is what it is.



4. Since John left on amicable terms, there is no reason why he can't talk to he former band mates anymore. Last summer, pictures were published of him attending a jazz show that Flea was playing in, in LA. And John is also Flea's daughter's godfather, so they're practically family. Thus, it can be assumed that they still talk.



5. A recent interview can be found in the new issue of Rolling Stone. The one with Katy Perry on the cover. They talk about it a little bit there. And also: there is a 2009 interview that John did with Music Radar, when his album The Empyrean was released. It doesn't discuss he departure, but the very last question that the interviewer had was about the chili peppers. And John refused to answer it and acted like a diva in the process, and the interview ended.



6a. Chad and Anthony never think about quitting the band. That's just something about them. It's John and Flea who contemplate quitting regularly. Flea also tried to quit during the recording of By The Way.



6b. If Flea left during the hiatus, the chili peppers would have officially disbanded. He's one of the original members.



If I may say one more thing: The Red Hot Chili Peppers, as a band, are jinxed. They have always had issues. Look at their 30 year history. It doesn't matter what decade, 80's, 90's or 2000's, or what line-up, they have been going through the same vicious cycle over and over again.



The guys get together, they mingle and try to get a feel for one another musically. And then, things start getting good, and then they get great. Sooner or later, they starting gaining some momentum, creatively and personally. And just when it seems that it's nothing but smooth sailing from this point onward, BOOM, they get hit with a bunch of hard knocks and they're back to where they started.



In my opinion, I wish that John would reconsider. The band is nothing without him . It's like listening to Led Zeppelin without Jimmy Page, or The Rolling Stones without Keith Richards. There's no point. The new guy Josh won't last either.



On the bright side, at least John didn't announce his retirement :)



Hope this answers your questions!

Answer 2

You have to understand where John's coming from. John is an artist; he puts music and creativity above anything else...even his own personal wishes. He is currently working on solo stuff, which should be really good.

We can trust that Josh Klinghoffer will bring a whole new feeling to the band. It's definitely not going to be the same without John, but that doesn't mean it won't be good. We still have Anthony and Flea and Chad - all of who have never failed to satisfy. Josh may not be a guitar hero, but he's very versatile and can play several instruments. He also collaborated with John.

Answer 3

TO LONG DIDNT READ

all i know is johns gone casue hes a douche and wants to go solo, and they have a new guy names josh somethin.

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