Former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Jack Sherman dead at 64

Jack Sherman, the guitarist with the Red Hot Chili Peppers (RHCP) who worked for the band's debut album and contributed to its rise over the time, has died. He was 64 at the time of passing.

RHCP informed the demise of the musician today through posts published from its official social media pages.

"We of the RHCP family would like to wish Jack Sherman smooth sailing into the worlds beyond, for he has passed," the band said on its Facebook page.

"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 post added.

The cause of the death could not be known immediately.

Sherman did not have a long stint with the band and used to replace guitarist Hillel Slovak now and then while playing for the band's debut album in 1983. He also co-wrote much of the follow-up, with "Freaky Styley" released in 1985. Later, he collaborated with the band on two more albums in lesses roles -- "Mother's Milk" and "The Abbey Road EP" – reports Variety.

Many fans and associates consider Sherman's contributions to RHCP as seminal and essential.

After leaving RHCP, Sherman became a session player in the late '80s and early '90s, taking the lead role on Tonio K's critically hailed "Notes from the Lost Civilization" as well as Bob Dylan's "Knocked Out Loaded", as well as albums by George Clinton and Feargal Sharkey.