The Red Hot Chili Peppers

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Where It All Started…

Left-Right: Michael Blazary (Flea), Hillel Slovak, Anthony Kiedis, and Jack Irons

Did you know the band was originally named “Tony Flow And The Miraculously Majestic Masters Of Mayhem” and it was supposed to be a joke band? In 1983, the band was created by 3 high school friends looking for an outlet to show their passion for music. Now lead singer, Anthony Kiedis, was not in the band and was used as a last minute back-up. After that one performance, the manager at the club enjoyed their high energetic performance and asked for them to come every week. From a quick draw pick, the guys changed the band’s name to the “Red Hot Chili Peppers” and began performing every week.

The band created their first trademark by performing with socks on cocks and it brought attention to manager Lindy Goetz. Shortly after, Goetz decided to be their manager and had their first tour throughout California and one part of Nevada. Towards late 1983, the band signed their first record deal with EMI America. However, guitarist, Hillel Slovak, and drummer, Jack Irons, left the band to join prior band, “What Is This?” record deal with MCA Records.

The duo Anthony Kiedis and Flea were fortunate to find guitarist, Jack Sherman, and drummer, Cliff Martinez. In 1984, the band had their first self-titled debut album. Andy Gill produced the self-titled album but Kiedis grew to be disappointed with the final piece. Kiedis felt the new sound did not match with the original demos back in 1983. The album didn’t make it to the Top Billboard 200, but it did achieve an MTV rotation and a foundation with their fanbase.

After the tour of their first album, Kiedis and Flea made the decision to have some changes to help with their creative outlet for the next album. Kiedis and Flea fired Sherman due to ongoing conflict between the members and brought back original guitarist Slovak. Based on their unwell experience with Andy Gill, they decided to find a new producer and ended up with George Clinton. By August of 1985, the band released their second album “Freaky Styley.” The album did not make it to Top Billboard 200, but received more positive reviews from critics compared to the self-titled album. Unfortunately, this was the starting point of Kiedis and Slovak’s heroin addiction.

In the spring of 1986, the band began recording for their third album, but Martinez had lost interest of making music with the band. Kiedis and Flea fired Martinez and by surprise, original drummer Jack Irons wanted to join back in. The original four members were back together and ready to produce new music. Producer Michael Beinhorn was interested on making a new change for the band and they accepted his offer. The band struggled creating their third album due to Kiedis drug addiction. His addiction got the best of Kiedis when he was forced to leave the band and was not allowed back until he was clean. Kiedis was able to get himself into rehab and return back to the studios to complete the album. Then on September 29, 1987, the band released “The Uplift Mofo Party Plan.” They finally charted at 148 in the Top Billboard 200 thanks to their single “Fight Like a Brave.” With the new success of the album, the band embarked an international tour. However, during the tour Slovak and Kiedis experienced an immense heroin withdrawal leading them to resort back to the drug. On June 25, 1988, Hillel Slovak was found dead in his apartment due to a heroin overdose. Jack Irons quit band from being unable to cope with his friend’s death. The band was left with only Kiedis and Flea.

New Beginnings

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After a 5 year hiatus, the band ended up finding a new guitarist Josh Klinghoffer to join the Peppers. Klinghoffer has toured with the band and has opened up for them since 2000, so naturally he became a perfect fit to replace Frusciante. On August 29, 2011, the band released “I’m With You” which surprisingly had great reviews. Fans favored over the new guitarist and the different sounds from their previous albums. This ended to be the last produced album by Rick Rubin.

On June 17, 2016, “The Getaway” was out after another 5 year hiatus. Originally, the album was supposed to be released sometime in 2014 but was delayed due to Flea injuring his arm from a skiing accident. This would be the first album produced by Danger Mouse, as the band have been with Rick Rubin for the last 25 years. The album received overall good reviews, but not as high as their prior albums. As of right now, the band is in the process of creating another album. According to Flea, the album should be released sometime in 2020.

Fun fact: my first concert was the Red Hot Chili Peppers and I saw them during “The Getaway” tour. One of the best days of my life! ❤

The Highs and Lows…

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After the death of Slovak and the departure of Irons, Kiedis and Flea held auditions for new members. Throughout many trials and errors, they were able to settle with drummer Chad Smith and teenage guitarist John Frusciante. The making of this album had occurring conflicts between producer Beinhorn and half of the members. Beinhorn visioned the album to contain heavy metal riffs while Frusciante visioned to have acid-rock with funk tune to it. Kiedis grew tired of Beinhorn obsessing over the band to create hit by going his direction. The band was able to release their fourth album “Mother’s Milk” in 1989. The album peaked 52 in the Top 200 Billboard and received their first gold record.

With the success from their last album, the band left EMI records and joined with Warner Bros Records and hired producer Rick Rubin. The recording of the album was made in the mansion in Los Angeles where magician Harry Houdini once lived. 3 out of the 4 members agreed to live in the mansion until the album was completed. Smith refused to stay the mansion because of paranormal activities but would stop by everyday to help with the recording. During production, the band agreed to be filmed for the documentary “Funky Monks.” On September 24, 1991, the band released their fifth album “Blood Sugar Sex Magik” which peaked at number 3 in the Top 200 Billboard. The band gained worldwide popularity, but Frusciante was not in favor. During their 1992 tour, Frusciante quit the band due to being unable to cope with the fame. The band went on a 2 week hiatus and found guitarist Arik Marshall to complete the tour.

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When the tour ended, the band was desperate trying to find another guitarist. After months of searching, Smith suggested Dave Navarro to join the band since he departed from the band Jane’s Addiction in 1991. Overtime Navarro accepted the offer and the band began to preproduction for their fifth album. Kiedis was well aware the band will have new sound to their music with Navarro in the band. During recording sessions, Kiedis relapsed after 5 years of sobriety from going through a dental procedure that contained Valium. Kiedis grew dependent on narcotics and this delayed the production of the album. Fortunately, Kiedis went to rehab in his hometown in Michigan and sobered up by January 1995 to finish the album. “One Hot Minute” was released on September 12, 1995 and it peaked at number 4 in the Top 200 Billboard. However, it was not well received by the critics due to the massive change from their previous album.

Navarro parted ways from the band to pursue his own music. This made an opening position for Frusciante to return back to the band. While his time away from the band, Frusciante had a strong addiction to heroin and cocaine which led to him being in poverty and near death. In early 1998, Frusciante was convinced by many friends, including Flea, to go to rehab. 3 months into his sobriety, Flea offered Frusciante to return back to the band in which he was ecstatic. Shortly after, the band got together began recording for “Californication.” The album debuted in June 8, 1999 and it was their commercially successful record. The band received a Grammy Award for their single “Scar Tissue.”

On July 9, 2002, the band released their eighth album “By the Way” which also received high reviews and peaked at number 2 in the Top 200 Billboard. The album had top singles such as “By the Way,” “Can’t Stop,” and “The Zephyr Song.” Frusciante was heavily credited for this album with writing, backing vocals, melodies and guitar progressions.

“Stadium Arcadium” was their first and only album to peak at number one in the Top 200 Billboard. This double album consist of 28 songs with top hits of “Dani California,” “Snow (Hey Oh),” and many more. The album was recorded in the mansion, where BSSM was recorded and produced by Rick Rubin. This gained seven Grammy nominations, including Best Rock Album. However, this was the last album Frusciante would be in as the guitarist decided to cut ties from the band due to pursuing his own creativity. Now the band was left with a missing guitarist (again).