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Rumor: John Frusciante Has Left The Red Hot Chili Peppers

8:32 a.m. · December 14, 2009 · by Nick Neyland

Guitarist John Frusciante already left the Red Hot Chili Peppers once before, after enduring a torrid battle with a drug addiction. He returned to the funk-rock fold in 1998, but it appears he has jumped ship again. Rumors suggest that Frusciante has left the band.

"Josh Klinghoffer has been playing with the group for a couple of months now," said a source who claims to be close to the band. "Optimistically, the Peppers are trying to lock down a replacement for John, who has apparently quit.” This news, which has yet to be officially substantiated, comes via the Music Radar website.

"Mentally, John checked out a long time ago,” the source continued. “He's interested in doing his own thing, his own albums -- the whole big rock band machinery just doesn't appeal to him anymore." Klinghoffer is a session musician who has worked with PJ Harvey, Gnarls Barkley and Perry Farrell.

[via MusicRadar]