John Frusciante

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Biography

Recent Role:
Himself on Behind The Music
Gender:
Male
Born:
3-5-1970
Birthplace:
Queens, New York
Birth Name:
John Frusciante
Guitarist John Frusciante has experienced both colossal highs and death-defying lows in both his musical career and personal life. Born in 1970 and raised in California, Frusciante dropped out of high school when guitar playing and rock music took hold of the up-and-coming musician/songwriter. Embracing both the unpredictable side of rock (Frank Zappa, Steve Vai, King Crimson, Funkadelic) and punk (the Germs, Black Flag), Frusciante created his own guitar style -- combining both technical skill with a knack for penning funky, psychedelic riffs.



… More The Red Hot Chili Peppers became an automatic fav when the young guitarist discovered them early in their career, and his dream to join the band came true in 1988, after striking up a friendship with the Chili Peppers' bassist Flea (in the wake of founding guitarist Hillel Slovak's death from a drug overdose). Interestingly, Frusciante had just been hired by another L.A. band, Thelonious Monster, prior to joining the Peppers.

Frusciante's first recording with the Peppers, 1989's Mother's Milk, helped break the popular college rock band through to the mainstream -- resulting in their first gold record, with John's amazing guitar playing serving as a catalyst for many of the songs. The quartet released an even rawer record next, 1991's Blood Sugar Sex Magik, produced by Rick Rubin. The album catapulted the band into the rock stratosphere, as it became a multi-platinum hit and made the Peppers one of the premier bands of the '90s. But all was not well in Pepperland. Frusciante found it increasingly difficult to handle his newly found fame, and retreated into a haze of hard drugs and unpredictable behavior. At the height of Blood Sugar's success, John abruptly left the band while on tour in Japan.

Besides releasing two obscure solo albums (1995's Niandra Lades and Usually Just a T-Shirt and 1997's Smile From the Streets You Hold), little was heard from Frusciante since splitting from the Peppers in 1992. Then, a disturbing article about John appeared in the L.A. Weekly, which painted Frusciante as a heroin abuser with a death wish (the interviewer was also shocked at his ghastly appearance). Thankfully, from the advice of friends, Frusciante checked himself into a rehab center and got off drugs and stopped his path to certain destruction. Just a few months after getting his life back on track and facing the world again, he got back in contact with the rest of his ex-Pepper mates (he regularly kept in contact with Flea), who's then-current guitarist, Dave Navarro, had just split from the band. After a loose jam session was deemed a success (as well as a psychological evaluation!), Frusciante was asked to rejoin the band. The newly kindled relationship was a rousing success, as the reunited Peppers issued the great Californication in 1999 to rave reviews and big sales. Two years later, and drugs a thing of the past, Frusciante emerged a tough singer/songwriter by releasing a solo effort entitled To Record Only Water for Ten Days. Merely a creative outlet from his band's original material, Frusciante appeared motivated and relaxed as an individual and free from the deception of drugs that haunted him before.

From the Forums

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  • RHCP Rule or What?

    Make your selection here: A) RHCP is the greatest band of all time! B) They're really good, but not the best. C) They're okay, but I'd rather listen to alot of other bands. D) I don't like them very much. E) I won't listen to them if you pay me. F) I have never heard of them in my life.  … More Also, write the name of who you think is the greatest guitarist still in a band. As for me: A) John Frusciante

    DeeDeeDee-er
    1 comments, last one Nov 12, 2006

  • Welcome to the TV.com Forums for John Frusciante

    Welcome to the TV.com Forums for John Frusciante. Here is your area to discuss, dissect and debate all things about this person.

    1 comments, last one Nov 12, 2006
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Fans' Reviews

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  •  
    10 Perfect
    John Frusciante was born in Brooklyn in the year 1970. He has developed into one of the all time great guitarists, playing with RHCP. hide show

    This man, is a total god!!! Just listen to Blood Sugar Sex Magik solo (behind last chorus), Readymade solo, Funky Monks solo, I Could Have Lied solo, I mean, Jesus!!! This guy's the next Hendrix!!! The only near competitor with him right now is Jack White, but The White Stripes suck. Red Hot Chili Peppers are one of those bands that will live forever. Nobody in history, has done what Frusciante has. Noone, has managed to play that crazily, while showing no effort at all. Hendrix is a better guitarist, but my man John has done much more than him. I believe, within ten years, there will be a new religion called Fruscianteism. It will be the practice of kicking ass on guitar, and owning every musician worldwide!!!

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    DeeDeeDee-er Added Dec 19, 2006 All my reviews
  •  
    10 Perfect
    The Best Guitarist of the modern era. hide show

    Just amazing. Mind blowing. Spiritual. Sensational. He is the guitarist of one my favourite bands the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Perhaps one of the best song writers of modern times. His album Shadows Collide With People is A work of beauty. He has made so many great albums with the Red Hot Chili Peppers that have been heard by so many but his solo work is underappreciated John Frusciante Rock and Roll Legend! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

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    HEYHEY_MYMY Added Jun 26, 2006 All my reviews
 

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