John Frusciante has confirmed his departure from Red Hot Chili Peppers, revealing he actually quit the band over a year ago.
A source close to the band hinted Frusciante had left earlier this week, though the news hadn’t been confirmed until now.
Blogging on JohnFrusciante.com, the guitarist said he did not fall out with his bandmates and remains on good terms with them.
“When I quit the band, over a year ago, we were on an indefinite hiatus,” he wrote. “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. To put it simply, my musical interests have led me in a different direction.”
Frusciante added he “really love[s] the band and what we did”, but now wants to make music on his own.
“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,” he explained. “There was no choice involved in this decision. I simply have to be what I am, and have to do what I must do.”
Red Hot Chili Peppers are rumoured to have replaced Frusciante with session guitarist Josh Klinghoffer.