John Frusciante Leaves Red Hot Chili Peppers...Again

Sad but true: John Frusciante has left the Red Hot Chili Peppers for a second time.

Frusciante confirmed the rumors on his personal website. Frusciante says there was no drama; rather, it was a simple divergence of musical interests that led to his decision. Most shocking? That he left over a year ago. That's the power of the hiatus: one of the world's best known quartets has been a trio for a year now, but no one knew.

Here's Frusciante's full statement:

"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.

To put it simply, my musical interests have led me in a different direction. Upon rejoining, and throughout my time in the band, I was very excited about exploring the musical possibilities inherent in a rock band, and doing so with those people in particular. A couple of years ago, I began to feel that same excitement again, but this time it was about making a different kind of music, alone, and being my own engineer.

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.

Sending love and gratitude to you all."

Farewell, then, to the most talented, unique, and intriguing guitarist the Chili Peppers ever knew. And also add Frusciante's name to the long list of ex-Chili Pepper guitarists—there's a lot of them. Here's a look back:

John Frusciante (1988-1992, 1998-2009) The most recent departure. Frusciante had little funk experience when he joined; later, his unique style would distinguish the Peppers, and ultimately lead to his desire to focus on solo work. Frusciante was also guitarist from 1988-1992 as part of the band's best known lineup. Frusciante left in 1992 as he struggled with the band's exploding fame and an addiction to heroin.

Dave Navarro (1993-1998) The Jane's Addiction guitarist was a Chili Pepper throughout the mid-'90s, appearing on only one studio album, One Hot Minute. Navarro was fired in 1998 as a result of, you guessed it, heroin issues.

Jesse Tobias (1993) Plucked from Mother Tongue, Tobias lasted less than a year with the Chilis. He went on to play with Alanis Morrissette and later Morrissey.

Arik Marshall (1992) Timing is everything: Marshall was a Chili Pepper when the band guest-starred on the classic Simpsons episode "Krusty Gets Kancelled." Marshall went on to play with Macy Gray.

Hillel Slovak (1983-1984, 1985-1988) Slovak was a key part of the early Chili Peppers lineups and a founding member. Sadly, Slovak died of an overdose in 1988 following years of, yes, heroin addiction, an affliction that would affect the band through several members for years to come.

Onwards and upwards, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and good luck John Frusciante... we'll always have the YouTube memories.