A few months back, we discussed John Frusciante, hailed by many as one of the most notable musicians in recent decades.
While many celebrate him as an exceptional guitarist, he had high praise for another contemporary. In a Rolling Stone interview, Frusciante highlighted his admiration for some artists, notably mentioning Jimi Hendrix.
“He always sounds perfect to me,” Frusciante remarked. This profound influence from Hendrix led him to incorporate some of Hendrix’s techniques.
Notably, when discussing the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ hit “Under the Bridge,” Frusciante confessed it was influenced by some of Jimi’s solos, likening it to masterpieces like ‘Castles Made of Sand’ and ‘Bold as Love’.
One of the major challenges in Frusciante’s life was his battle with heroin addiction. It became his coping mechanism amidst the unexpected fame he garnered with the Peppers.
This addiction led him to take a hiatus from the band between 1992 and 1998, impacting his musical prowess. However, when he made a comeback with the album “Californication,” his skills shone through once more.
Drawing inspiration from Hendrix, Frusciante believed he could evolve as a guitarist during his second tenure with the band fronted by Anthony Kiedis. He reflected, “Despite my reduced skills, I poured everything I had experienced into my music. I gave it my all and always approached it with genuine intent.”
