When did John Frusciante last play with Red Hot Chili Peppers & what was on the setlist?

5 March 2020, 06:00 | Updated: 4 March 2022, 17:38

Flea, Chad Smith, Anthony Kiedis and John Frusciante of Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1989. Picture: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic/Getty Images

Following the news that the Californication rockers' classic guitarist has rejoined the band, we examine the setlist of their last show together.

Red Hot Chili Peppers shocked their fans all over the world when they announced the departure of Josh Klinghoffer in December 2019.

But even more surprising was the news that their much-loved guitarist John Frusciante, would be returning to the fold - 10 long years after his departure.

The musician made his long-awaited return to the Chili Peppers on 8 February 2020, when he joined his bandmates for a short, three-song set as part of a charity and memorial event set up by skateboard legend Tony Hawk.

The Chilis - with Stephen Perkins of Jane's Addiction on drums, sitting in for Chad Smith - played two covers (Gang Of Four's Not Great Men and The Stooges' I Wanna Be Your Dog) and their own classic Give It Away.

Red Hot Chili Peppers - With John Frusciante - Dave Navarro | [Full version Instagram] (Live 2020)

Frusciante officially quit the band for the second time on 29 July 2009, with his departure confirmed in December that year. However, it was two years before that he last performed on stage with his bandmates Anthony Kiedis, bassist Flea and drummer Chad Smith.

Get the story of the last full gig John Frusciante played with the band here.

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Anthony Kiedis and John Frusciante onstage at Live Earth on 7 July 2007. Picture: Brian Rasic/Getty Images

Why Red Hot Chili Peppers are one of the greatest bands around today

Having released their ninth studio album (and a double one at that!) on 9 May 2006, Red Hot Chili Peppers embarked on The Stadium Arcadium World Tour, which was also known as The Intergalactic Tour.

After playing across the globe for almost two years straight, and rescheduling their Japanese dates after Anthony Kiedis suffered from pneumonia, the band ended their string of gigs with bill-topping sets at Reading & Leeds Festival 2007.

Once storming Reading's Richfield Avenue on 25 August, the Californication funk rockers took to Bramham Park in Leeds on 26 August to play what was to be their last full gig together.

Despite not leaving the band until two years later, Frusciante gave a speech which may have suggested his time with the band was coming to an end (again).

Speaking to the crowd, the Under The Bridge guitarist said: "This is our last show, and I just wanna thank our crew who work so hard to make our shows happen every night and to make it so we can communicate our music to you."

He concluded: "So thanks to our crew, past and present."

After kicking off proceedings with an intro jam as they usually do, the band played their Can't Stop single, which is taken from 2002's By The Way album.

The funk-ridden favourite was then followed by Stadium Arcadium opening track, Dani California, followed by Otherside, Charlie and Throw Away Your Television.

Very much a gig of their greatest hits, the UK show also included the likes of Get On Top, Californication and By The Way, which was followed by an encore of C'mon Girl, Give It Away and their final jam.

With the classic RHCP line-up last playing the UK festival together, could they make a return to Reading & Leeds in 2020? It sure would be a great way to come full circle.

Watch this space.

The story behind Red Hot Chili Peppers' Under The Bridge by Anthony Kiedis