Guitarist Josh Klinghoffer Recounts Being Let Go From The Red Hot Chili Peppers

Last month, Red Hot Chili Peppers revealed that they'd be parting ways with guitarist Josh Klinghoffer and inviting John Frusciante back into the fold. This was met with massive enthusiasm from fans, who recognize Frusciante from such albums as Blood Sugar Sex Magick and Californication. But now, Josh has revealed the moment that he was let go in a new interview, and while he's overall positive, it's also a very emotional story.

Speaking on Marc Maron's WTF podcast, Klinghoffer recalled the moment he was told that he'd be replaced:

“I rode my bike over [to Flea's house]...They just said, ‘We’ll get right to it. We’ve decided to ask John to come back to the band.’ And I just sat there quiet for a second and I said, ‘I’m not surprised.’ And the only thing I could think to say was, ‘I wish I could have done something with you guys, musically or creatively, that would have made this an absolute impossibility.'”

READ THIS: Chad Smith confirms that Red Hot Chili Peppers are writing an album with John Frusciante

While Josh's story is sad in certain ways -- that "quiet for a second" stings a little -- he's also incredibly positive about Frusciante and his history with the band.

“It’s absolutely John's place to be in that band," he says. "So that’s why I’m happy for him, I’m happy that he’s back with them...If John coming back had happened five years ago, it would have been hard for me, temporally, to weigh [my contributions] against what they had. Now, after 10 years, two tours, and almost three albums of writing, I’m really proud of what I did with them. I feel like we did create something.”

Listen to the whole episode at the podcast's website.

READ THIS: 10 of rock music's best nude performances