Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante likely knew he was replacing Josh Klinghoffer when Klinghoffer texted him in October, just two months before Josh was fired so he could return. Klinghoffer revealed to Rolling Stone that he texted John since he knew they would be seeing each other for the first time in 10 years at Flea’s wedding, but John sent a bizarre response. He also said John hasn’t reached out to him since his firing. A Red Hot Chili Peppers member ‘collapsing’ after a show was just revealed.
“I reached out to him on my birthday when I was in Brazil, because I knew I was going to see him for the first time in a decade, and said, “Hey, I just want you to know that I love you deeply and I’ve always considered you a friend. And I know I’m going to see you soon so I hope you’re well.”
He wrote right back; I couldn’t quite understand what he said. Sometimes people’s syntax don’t really make sense when they type. We saw each other 17 days later and it was brief, but cordial. But then the whole rest of the day was kind of weird. I’m sure in his mind, by that point, he knew what was on the horizon.”
He asked if he’d called John since the lineup change, “No. There’s no reason for me to reach out. I mean, if he reached out, I’d be surprised.”
Red Hot Chili Peppers’ ex-guitarist recently made a ‘sick’ Nirvana claim. RHCPtv5 commented on Reddit, “More info in this interview that leaves me to believe more in my opinion that John is a sociopath. Reaching out to everyone including the f***ing tour manager, planning the return. Nothing to his former ‘best friend’ though. Can’t even reply coherently to a very nice text from Josh.”
SubwaySandwichGuy responded, “I think maybe he just really wanted to be back with the band but couldn’t deal with the fact that they had to fire Josh so he could join. Probably didn’t have enough courage to face him.
I don’t think it’s that big of a deal though. People aren’t perfect, and I think if we’re going to criticize John for this, we have to criticize the Chili’s with how they’ve handled all their other firings and departures.
HOWEVER: If John doesn’t put his all into this incarnation of the Chili’s or quits suddenly, I will be extremely pissed off at them for what happened with Josh and probably have a bad taste in my mouth whenever I hear the name Red Hot Chili Peppers again.”
You can read the full Josh Klinghoffer interview at Rolling Stone.
