The Red Hot Chili Peppers announced major news Sunday: guitarist John Frusciante is returning to the GRAMMY-winning Los Angeles rock band for a third time, as longtime guitarist Josh Klinghoffer departs. 

"The Red Hot Chili Peppers announce that we are parting ways with our guitarist of the past ten years, Josh Klinghoffer," bassist Flea said in a message post on Instagram. "Josh is a beautiful musician who we respect and love. We are deeply grateful for our time with him, and the countless gifts he shared with us." 

He also added "with great excitement and full hearts" that Frusciante, who joined the band after the death of founding guitarist Hillel Slovak, would once again join the group.

Frusciante, known for his funk and psychedelia-inspired guitar riffs, helped shaped the RCHP sound early on. He first appeared on the Mother's Milk LP in 1989 and left the band after the release of the 1991 breakthrough album Blood Sugar Sex Magik. He rejoined the group a few years later and appeared on albums released in the late 90s through the mid-00s. He left the group again in 2009 because, to "put it simply, my musical interests have led me in a different direction."
 
The Red Hot Chili Peppers are set to play music festivals next year, including Hangout and Boston Calling. 

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