John Frusciante Won’t Join Red Hot Chili Peppers at Rock Hall Induction

A Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction can have awkward consequences for a band that has experienced frequent lineup changes over the years. Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith tells Billboard that former Chili Peppers drummers Jack Irons and Cliff Martinez will participate in the group's April 14 induction, but guitarist John Frusciante will not.

Though Frusciante left the Chili Peppers before the recording of their latest album, 'I'm With You,' the band invited him to the ceremony. Smith says he kindly declined.

"He didn't feel comfortable coming, which we totally respect," Smith says. "He said, 'I'm just not really comfortable with that, but good luck and thanks for inviting me.' It was all good. He's the kind of guy, I think, that once he's finished with something he's just on to the next phase of his life. The Chili Peppers are not really on his radar right now."

Frusciante made two stints in the Chili Peppers. He first joined in the late '80s but left in 1992 as he struggled to deal with the band's burgeoning success and his own drug problems. He returned in 1998 and remained with the group for a decade before departing again.

Even without Frusciante present, Smith says the Chili Peppers are looking forward to taking their places among the all-time greats in the Rock Hall. "I'm very pleased about it. Music's not a competition. Yeah, you like to win Grammys and stuff, but [the Rock Hall)] is different. It's not like the flavor of the month or the flavor of the year; it's for a long career we've been fortunate enough to have. I'm very humbled, because the people who are in there...it's not a joke. It's very cool."