Jack Sherman death: Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist dies aged 64

‘He was a unique dude and we thank him for all times good, bad and in between,’ said group

Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Jack Sherman has died aged 64.

“We of the RHCP family would like to wish Jack Sherman smooth sailing into the worlds beyond, for he has passed,” the group said on Instagram.

“Jack played on our debut album as well as our first tour of the USA. He was a unique dude and we thank him for all times good, bad and in between. Peace on the boogie platform.”

The cause of his death has not been disclosed.

Sherman played on the first, self-titled Red Hot Chili Peppers album that came out in 1984, and co-wrote songs on the band’s second, Freaky Styley. He also contributed to the records Mother’s Milk and The Abbey Road EP.

John Frusciante (second from right) stands alongside Red Hot Chili Peppers bandmates Flea, Chad Smith and Anthony Kiedis at the 2007 Brit Awards (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

The guitarist replaced Hillel Slovak, founding member of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, in December 1983. Sherman’s acrimony with frontman Anthony Kiedis and bassist Flea led to Slovak’s return in 1985.

The band also consists of guitarist John Frusciante and drummer Chad Smith.

Sherman was not included when other Red Hot Chilli Peppers band members were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012. He said at the time that he felt “dishonoured”.

“It’s really painful to see all this celebrating going on and be excluded,” Sherman said. “I’m not claiming that I’ve brought anything other to the band... but to have soldiered on under arduous conditions to try to make the thing work, and I think that’s what you do in a job, looking back. And that’s been dishonoured. I’m being dishonoured, and it sucks.”

He has worked with many other prominent artists, including Bob Dylan and George Clinton.