Which Foo Fighters guitarist left the band in 1997?

Pat Smear was the Foo Fighters guitarist who left the band in 1997.

Smear joined Foo Fighters at the group’s formation after playing guitar with Nirvana during their touring period. He appeared with the band onstage from its earliest shows and contributed to The Colour and the Shape, the Foo Fighters’ second studio album, released in 1997.

After the album’s release, Smear decided to leave largely because of exhaustion from the band’s intense touring schedule. He announced his departure during the Foo Fighters’ performance at the 1997 MTV Video Music Awards. Rather than simply disappearing from the lineup, Smear introduced Franz Stahl, his replacement and Grohl’s former bandmate from the band Scream.

The timeline can cause confusion because Smear continued performing with Foo Fighters for a period while the transition was arranged. Franz Stahl later became a full member but left the band before the recording of There Is Nothing Left to Lose. Smear eventually returned to Foo Fighters, becoming part of the touring lineup again in the mid-2000s and appearing on later studio albums.