Jack Sherman, the guitarist who joined the Red Hot Chili Peppers for their debut album and contributed to much of the follow-up, has died at the age of 64.
“We of the RHCP family want Jack Sherman to wish them a smooth ride in the worlds because he’s over,” the group said on their Instagram page “Jack played on our debut album and our first tour in the US “He was a unique guy and we thank him for all good, bad and in between. Peace on the boogie platform.”
Sherman’s stint in the band did not last long: He replaced new, off-again guitarist Hillel Slovak in time to play on her debut in 1983 and co-wrote much of the follow-up , “Freaky Styley,” was released in 1985. By the time that album was released, however, Sherman was out of the band and was back in Slovakia, for one of the many stints to come. Sherman, however, was heard in minor roles on two more Chili Peppers albums, “Mother’s Milk” and “The Abbey Road EP.”
Although many fans and staff considered Sherman’s contributions seminal and essential, Sherman was not among those named for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame honors when the group was introduced eight years ago. He was unhappy about leaving the hall and blamed the band for influencing the decision to leave him and Dave Navarro. “I’m being dishonored, and it’s addictive,” he told Billboard in 2012.
After leaving the Chili Peppers, Sherman found himself in question as a session player in the late ’80s and early’ 90s, starring in Tonio K.’s critically acclaimed “Notes from the Lost Civilization” as well. Bob Dylan’s “Knocked Out Loaded” and albums by George Clinton and Feargal Sharkey.
No cause of death has been reported.
