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.
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).
The Red Hot Chili Peppers 