Red Hot Chili Peppers (or simply RHCP) is an official YouTube channel for the band Red Hot Chili Peppers who found their success in the 90s and continues to for years to come.
Biography[]
One of the most successful acts in rock history, Red Hot Chili Peppers have sold more than 60 million albums, including five multi-platinum LPs, and won six Grammy Awards, including “Best Rock Album” for Stadium Arcadium, “Best Rock Performance By a Duo or Group” for “Dani California,” “Best Rock Song” for “Scar Tissue,” and “Best Hard Rock Performance With Vocal” for “Give It Away.” The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April 2012.
Lineup[]
Current Lineup[]
- Anthony Kiedis - lead vocals (1982-present)
- Flea (Michael Balzary) - bass guitar, backing vocals (1982-present)
- John Frusciante - guitar (1988-1992, 1998-2009, 2019-present)
- Chad Smith - drums, percussion (1988-present)
Former Lineup[]
- Hilel Slovak - guitar (1982-1983, 1985-1988; his death)
- Jack Irons - drums, backing vocals (1982-1983, 1986-1988)
- Cliff Martinez - drums (1983-1986)
- Jack Sherman - guitar (1983-1984; died 2020)
- DeWayne McKnight - guitar, backing vocals (1988)
- D.H. Peligro (Darren Henley) - drums (1988; died 2022)
- Arik Marshall - guitar, backing vocals (1992-1993)
- Jesse Tobias - guitar, backing vocals (1993)
- Dave Navarro - guitar, backing vocals (1993-1998)
- Josh Klinghoffer - guitar, backing vocals (2009-2019; touring 2007)
History[]
Formation and debut album[]
The band's only constant members are frontman Anthony Kiedis and bassist Michael Balzary, the latter of whom is known by the stage name Flea. At the time of formation in 1982, original guitarist Hilel Slovak and original drummer Jack Irons were already committed to another group called "What Is This?". When Slovak and Irons left in 1983 to focus on their other band, Kiedis and Flea recruited guitarist Jack Sherman and drummer Cliff Martinez. With these recruits, the Red Hot Chili Peppers were born.
They released their self-titled debut album in 1984. Airplay on MTV and college radio helped build their early fanbase, culminating in 300,000 album sales.
Slovak/Irons era[]
After the demise of What Is This? in 1985, Sherman was released and replaced by Hillel Slovak. Sherman was fired for lack of interest and replaced by Jack Irons.
During this time, both Kiedis and Slovak developed a drug addition. Recordings for the band's second and third albums, Freaky Styley (1985) and The Uplift Mofo Party Plan (1987), were frequently interrupted by Keidis's worsening drug habits to the point where he was briefly fired. After the Chili Peppers were named "band of the year" by LA Weekly, Kiedis entered a drug rehabilitation program. The band auditioned new frontmen, but the now-sober Kiedis rejoined with new enthusiasm. However, Kiedis would soon relapse while celebrating the band's early albums.
Slovak's death[]
Rock bottom was hit when Slovak died from a heroin overdose on June 25, 1988, at the age of 26. In the aftermath, Kiedis fled Los Angeles and skipped Slovak's funeral. He then re-entered a 30-day rehabilitation program, including a visit to Slovak's grave, before returning to the Chili Peppers. Irons couldn't handle Slovak's death and left the Chili Peppers out of grief. He eventually overcame his depression and became a member of Pearl Jam. DeWayne McKnight (of Parliament-Funkadelic) and D.H. Peligro (of Dead Kennedys) were recruited to take the places of Slovak and Irons respectively.
First Frusciante era, Chad Smith joins[]
McKnight's tenure was short-lived; he was fired after three tour dates for showing a lack of chemistry and threatening to burn Kiedis's house down. Peligro soon introduced Kiedis and Flea to teenage guitarist and Chili Peppers fan John Frusciante. Impressed by his talent, Kiedis and Flea recruited Frusciante to take the place of McKnight. In November of 1988, Peligro was fired for his drug abuse and alcoholism, and was replaced by Chad Smith following open auditions.
The addition of Frusciante and Smith resulted in a darker, more melodic style in the band's music. The albums Mother's Milk (1989) and Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991), the first with Frusciante on guitar, were met with commercial success.
[]
Frusciante suddenly left the Chili Peppers in 1992 due to his personal troubles, which included a heroin problem and his struggles with fame. The Chili Peppers hired Arik Marshall as an interim guitarist, while holding auditions for Frusciante's replacement. After hiring and firing Jesse Tobias, the Chili Peppers recruited Dave Navarro of Jane's Addiction as their new guitarist.
The Chili Peppers' only album with Navarro, One Hot Minute (1995), was recorded at a slower pace while Kiedis was still struggling with drug problems. Navarro-era songs also tackled more serious topics, such as the death of Kurt Cobain. Navarro was fired from the band in 1998 due to creative differences.
Second Frusciante era[]
With the guitarist spot left vacant following Navarro’s firing, the future of the Chili Peppers was at stake. At this point, Frusciante’s drug problems left him in squalor and close to death. In order to save Frusciante's life, Flea convinced him to enter a drug rehabilitation program. When Flea visited the recovered Frusciante and invited him back into the Chili Peppers, Frusciante teared up and said that nothing would make him happier.
The second Frusciante era saw unprecedented levels of success for the band, including their best-selling album Californication (1999). The other albums produced during this era were By The Way (2002) and Stadium Arcadium (2006).
Klinghoffer era[]
Frusciante left again in 2009 in order to focus on his solo work. This time, he was replaced by Josh Klinghoffer, whom was previously their touring guitarist. The band released two albums with Klinghoffer: I'm With You (2011) and Getaway (2016). These albums were met with favorable reviews.
The Chili Peppers were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2012. Klinghoffer, who was 32 at the time, became the youngest inductee in the Hall's history.
Third Frusciante era[]
In 2019, the Chili Peppers parted ways with Klinghoffer, paving way for Frusciante to re-return. The band's twelvth and thirteenth album, Unlimited Love and Return of the Dream Canteen, were released in 2022.
Gallery[]
.jpg "Flea 1012 (2).jpg (3.9 MB)")
.jpg "John Frusciante (52279457795).jpg (5.48 MB)")
_-_Copie.jpg "Chad Smith-Rio De Janeiro-24-09-2011 - Copie (3) - Copie.jpg (72 KB)")
Trivia[]
- The band is known for it's funk-inspired sound. Flea, considered one of the greatest bass players of all time, occasionally incorporates the slap-bass style.
- The band often mentions the state of California, where they have their origins, in their lyrics.
- The band was once accused of ripping off Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers's song Last Dance with Mary Jane with their song Dani California. While the chord progressions in both songs are indeed similar, Last Dance with Mary Jane follows the progression Am-G-D-Am; Dani California follows the progression Am-G-Dm-Am.
- Flea was born in Australia.
- Chad Smith is sometimes trolled for resembling the famous actor Will Ferrell.
