Arik Marshall, a former member of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, has set up a GoFundMe to avoid eviction and homelessness.
According to the official fundraising page, Gisette Hidalgo has arranged the appeal on behalf of Arik, 58, with the goal of raising $20,000 (£14,930).
Detailing Arik’s story, Gisette explained how his employer of 14 years and best friend was tragically killed, leaving him without his primary source of income and employment.
‘During this difficult time, which was already impacted by the Covid pandemic, leaving most musicians struggling to get by financially, Arik was also diagnosed with a serious health condition, which left him with a weakened immune system,’ she continued.
‘All of this triggered a bad period of depression and several years of reclusiveness. Arik struggled to find consistent work and fell deeper in debt to his landlord.’
Encouraging fans to donate, Gisette shared a brief update, adding that Arik ‘has been focusing on his overall health and he is doing much better’ while looking for work, and offering guitar lessons.
‘We hope this reaches Arik’s peers who have worked with him in the music industry, anyone with a platform that can make a difference by simply sharing this and anyone who can contribute from the heart,’ Gisette continued.
She concluded, ‘Arik is hoping he can “right the ship” in this trying time of stormy seas.’
Currently, the GoFundMe page has achieved 10% of the intended goal, with over $2,000 (£1,400) raised.
A well-known figure in the music industry, Arik shot to fame after joining the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1992. He was brought in to replace guitarist John Frusciante, who quit during the Blood Sugar Sex Magik Tour.
During his year-long tenure with the band, after which he was replaced by Jesse Tobias, Arik performed at several high-profile events, including the 1992 MTV Video Music Awards, Lollapalooza festival and the 1993 Grammy Awards.
Speaking with Guitar World magazine, Arik opened up about his time with the band. ‘My first show with the Peppers was in front of 60,000 people in Belgium,’ he said.
‘It was at a huge festival with Bryan Adams, Lou Reed and Smashing Pumpkins. I think it went well.
‘Surprisingly, I wasn’t that nervous. I think it would have been a lot stranger if the Chili Peppers weren’t so cool and down-to-earth, and easy to work with. They really helped me feel comfortable.’
After leaving the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1993, Arik went on to work with Macy Gray, playing the guitar on several tracks of her debut album, On How Life Is, which was released in 1999.
While collaborating with Macy, Arik joined the singer for a brief appearance in Spider-Man (2002), and he also worked on her 2003 album The ID.
Among Arik’s other credits, the musician made a cameo appearance in an episode of The Simpsons and, appeared as a member of a wedding band in the 2009 comedy blockbuster, The Hangover.
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