LaunchDaily
5/7/2012
Early Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Jack Sherman says that he has been "dishonored" by the decision to not include him in the roster of past and present members of the group inducted last month into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In an interview with Billboard, Sherman said, "It's really painful to see all this celebrating going on and be excluded. 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 dishonored. I'm being dishonored, and it sucks."
Sherman replaced original guitarist Hillel Slovak in 1983, right after the Chili Peppers landed their record deal. He played on the group's 1984 self-titled debut and co-wrote some songs on the follow-up, Freaky Styley.
But Sherman did not get along with singer Anthony Kiedis or bassist Flea and was dismissed, which led to Slovak's return. Slovak himself died in 1988 and was replaced by John Frusciante.
Three of the Chili Peppers' eight guitarists -- Slovak, Frusciante and current axeman Josh Klinghoffer -- were inducted into the Hall last month. Former drummers Jack Irons and Cliff Martinez also made the cut.
The decision of who to induct was made by the Hall of Fame, according to Hall president Joel Peresman and Chili Peppers attorney Eric Greenspan. Only original and current members, as well as members who played on multiple albums, were considered.
Sherman told Billboard that he appealed to his former bandmates last December to include him and was rejected.
Kiedis wrote in his 2004 autobiography, Scar Tissue, that "our relationship with Jack wasn't meant to be," but admitted, "He did keep the band afloat for a year, and if he hadn't, the years to follow probably wouldn't have."
HBO's broadcast of the 2012 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremonies aired this past Saturday night (May 5th).
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