Red Hot Chili Peppers are known for playing a bracing combination of rock and funk. They have emerged from the alternative rock community to become one of the top selling rock bands in the world.
- Red Hot Chili Peppers (EMI) (1984)
The Red Hot Chili Peppers debut album was produced by Andy Gill of the Gang of Four. It generated little notice and failed to reach national album charts.
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Freaky Styley (EMI) (1985)
The Read Hot Chili Peppers second album is nearly entirely funk. It was produced by Parliament/Funkadelic leader George Clinton and remains a favorite of hardcore fans. Unfortunately, the group again missed the record charts.
- The Uplift Mofo Party Plan (EMI) (1987)
This third album is the only album which featured all 4 original band members - Anthony Kiedis, Flea, Hillel Slovak, and Jack Irons. It was also the first album to reach the charts at #148. The group ran afoul of the Parents Music Resource Center, a political action group operated by wives of U.S. senators, due to explicit language on the album. This publicity did not seem to hurt sales.
- Mother's Milk (EMI) (1989)
Recorded in the wake of the death from heroin overdose of founding member Hillel Slovak, Mother's Milk was the band's national breakthrough. Their powerful version of Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground" gained attention from MTV and it just missed the top 10 on the modern rock chart. The followup single "Knock Me Down" made it to #6 on the modern rock chart and the album reached #52 nationally.
- Blood Sugar Sex Magik (Warner Bros.) (1991)
With the wind of Mother's Milk at their back, this album turned Red Hot Chili Peppers into world superstars. The lead single "Give It Away" topped the modern rock chart and the followup "Under the Bridge" reached #2 on the pop singles chart. The album was a #3 hit and ultimately sold over 12 million copies worldwide.
- What Hits!? (EMI) (1992)
This collection was an effort by EMI, the Red Hot Chili Peppers' label for their first 4 albums, to capitalize on the band's commercial success after moving to Warner Bros. It is a strong set of most of the band's greatest moments from their early albums.
- One Hot Minute (Warner Bros.) (1995)
It took Red Hot Chili Peppers' 4 years to put together an album to follow Blood Sugar Sex Magik. Recorded in the midst of personnel changes, the album was a disappointment to many fans and critics. "My Friends" is the only top 40 hit from the album. It reached #27 in late 1995.
- Californication (Warner Bros.) (1999)
It took another 4 years for a new album, but this time it was worth the wait. With guitarist John Frusciante back in the fold, the album became the band's biggest selling collection yet. It included the top 10 hit single "Scar Tissue" and reached #3 on the charts.
- By the Way (Warner Bros.) (2002)
This album picked up where the previous one left off and was the work of the band at their most settled ever. Pop melodies come to the forefront on By the Way. The album reached #2 on the charts, the group's higest placing yet, and it include the #1 modern rock and top 40 pop hit title track.
- Greatest Hits (Warner Bros.) (2003)
This collection wraps up the group's best work from Mother's Milk through By the Way. It is the greatest hits collection to get for fans looking for the band's best pop moments.
- Stadium Arcadium (Warner Bros.) (2006)
Likely to be the group's first #1 album after over 20 years of recording music, Stadium Arcadium is an expansive two disc set of 28 songs. It is all led off by "Dani California," the group's latest top 10 hit single.
