Formed:
1983 - Los Angeles, California.
Current Members:
- Anthony Kiedis - Vocals
- Michael Balzary (Flea) - Bass
- Chad Smith - Drums
- Josh Klinghoffer - Guitar
The Group's Early Days:
Anthony Kiedis, Michael Balzary (later "Flea"), and Hillel Slovak all attended Fairfax High School in Los Angeles, California. Influenced by both the growing L.A. punk scene and classic funk, the 3 began jamming together. With another friend, Jack Irons, they formed Tony Flow and the Miraculously Majestic Masters of Mayhem and began performing locally. Soon they adopted the name Red Hot Chili Peppers and were known for performing naked with only a tube sock covering a part of the male anatomy.
Red Hot Chili Peppers' Rise to Stardom:
Red Hot Chili Peppers were signed to a contract with EMI Records in late 1983 and they released their first, self-titled album in 1984. The band's reputation grew with each album. 1987's The Uplifit Mofo Party Plan was the first to reach the Billboard album chart. 1989's Mother's Milk included "Knock Me Down," (Listen) the band's first modern rock 10. The next album, 1991's Blood Sugar Sex Magik reached #3 and brought the band into the mainstream.
Quote from Red Hot Chili Peppers' Anthony Kiedis:
From interview with The Celebrity Cafe on the nature of being in a rock and roll band:
"I think it’s the nature of life. You can’t predict it. One minute it can be the greatest thing in the world, and the next minute it can change. You just never know."
Red Hot Chili Peppers Personnel Changes:
In the 20+ years of the existence of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the band has gone through more personnel changes than most top pop-rock groups. Some members have left due to personal tragedy such as the suicide of Hillel Slovak and drug addicition of John Frusciante in his first period with the band. Others have been incompatible musically. Arik Marshall and Dave Navarro fall into this group.
Top Red Hot Chili Peppers Songs:
'Californication' and World Success:
Much of the 1990's proved to be a difficult time for Red Hot Chili Peppers. John Frusciante left the band and struggled with drug addiction. The band struggled with musical differences with guitarist Dave Navarro. Eventually, record sales began to suffer. However, when many skeptics thought the group was over, John Frusciante rejoined the group and Red Hot Chili Peppers released the triumphant album Californication in 1999. It sold a powerful 15 million copies worldwide.
Trivia Fact About Red Hot Chili Peppers:
In 2001 Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea founded the nonprofit Silverlake Conservatory of Music in Los Angeles.
Group Stability and More Restructuring:
Following the return of John Frusciante in 1998, Red Hot Chili Peppers enjoyed the most stable period of the band's existence. The lineup did not change through the recording of 3 albums. Consequently, Red Hot Chili Peppers enjoyed sold out tours around the world and the strongest album sales of their career. The album By the Way, released in 2002, debuted at #2 on the album chart.
In early 2006 Red Hot Chili Peppers announced the completion and impending release of the 2-disc album Stadium Arcadium. The single "Dani California" appeared in early April and peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100, the band's third top 10 pop single. The album Stadium Arcadium became Red Hot Chili Peppers' first to hit #1 and ultimately sold over two million copies in the US.
After the massive touring that followed release of Stadium Arcadium, Red Hot Chili Peppers went on a lengthy hiatus before returning to the studio. During that time John Frusciante left once again and Flea considered leaving. Josh Klinghoffer, who was well known by the band, became the group's new lead guitar player. In 2011, five years after Stadium Arcadium, Red Hot Chili Peppers announced they had completed a new album to be titled I'm With You. The first single from the project is "The Adventures Of Rain Dance Maggie."
