Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist was ‘deep into the occult’ when he left the band

John Frusciante left the band in 2009 before rejoining in 2019

Sam Moore
Wednesday 09 March 2022 08:25 EST
Comments
Red Hot Chili Peppers perform in 1984

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante has admitted that he was “deep into the occult” when he left the band in 2009.

Frusciante, who is in his third tenure with the band, revealed that the pressures of touring turned him towards the occult.

Talking to Classic Rock, Frusciante said: “I became quite off-balance mentally those last couple of years we toured. As the tour went on, I got deep into the occult, which became a way of escaping the mindset of tour life.”

The guitarist added: “The occult tends to magnify whatever you are, and I was an imbalanced mess.”

Frusciante returned to the band in 2019, replacing his former understudy Josh Klinghoffer who played with the Chili Peppers on two albums.

Frusciante originally joined the band in 1988 aged 18 but left in 1992 after struggling with fame and drug addiction. He later returned in 1998 to record the best selling Californication album.

2022 has seen the Red Hot Chili Peppers release their first music in six years and their first with Frusciante since 2006’s Stadium Arcadium album.

The first song from their new album was released on 4 February and was positively received by fans and critics.

John Frusciante (second from right) stands alongside Red Hot Chili Peppers bandmates Flea, Chad Smith and Anthony Kiedis at the 2007 Brit Awards
John Frusciante (second from right) stands alongside Red Hot Chili Peppers bandmates Flea, Chad Smith and Anthony Kiedis at the 2007 Brit Awards (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

Unlimited Love, the 12th album from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, is scheduled for release on 1 April.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in