Red Hot Chili Peppers

TheRed Hot Chili Peppersare an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1982,consisting ofAnthony Kiedis(vocals),Flea(bass),John Frusciante(guitar), andChad Smith(drums). Their music incorporates elements ofalternative rock,funk,punk rock,hard rock,hip hop, andpsychedelic rock, and have influenced genres includingfunk metal,rap metal,rap rock,andnu metal.With over 120 million records sold worldwide, the Red Hot Chili Peppers are one of thetop-selling bands of all time.They hold the records for most number-one singles on the American Alternative Songs charts (15), most cumulative weeks at number one (91) and most top-ten songs (28) on theBillboardAlternative Songs chart.They have won threeGrammy Awards, were inducted into theRock and Roll Hall of Famein 2012, and in 2022 received a star on theHollywood Walk of Fame.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers were formed in Los Angeles by Kiedis, Flea, the guitaristHillel Slovakand the drummerJack Irons. Due to commitments to other bands, Slovak and Irons did not play on their 1984self-titled debut album, which instead featured the guitaristJack Shermanand the drummerCliff Martinez. Slovak rejoined for their second album,Freaky Styley(1985), and Irons for their third,The Uplift Mofo Party Plan(1987). Irons left after Slovak died of a drug overdose in June 1988.
With Frusciante and Smith, the Red Hot Chili Peppers recordedMother's Milk(1989) and their first major commercial success,Blood Sugar Sex Magik(1991). Frusciante was uncomfortable with their newfound popularity and left abruptly on tour in 1992. After a series of temporary guitarists, he was replaced byDave Navarro. Their next album,One Hot Minute(1995), failed to match the success ofBlood Sugar Sex Magik. Frusciante and Kiedis struggled with drug addiction throughout the 1990s.
In 1998, Navarro departed and Frusciante rejoined the band. Their seventh album,Californication(1999), became their biggest commercial success, with 16 million copies sold worldwide.By the Way(2002) andStadium Arcadium(2006) were also successful;Stadium Arcadiumwas their first album to reach number one on theBillboard200chart. Frusciante left again in 2009 to focus on his solo career; he was replaced byJosh Klinghoffer, who appeared onI'm with You(2011) andThe Getaway(2016), before Frusciante rejoined in 2019. The Chili Peppers released their 12th and 13th albums,Unlimited LoveandReturn of the Dream Canteen, in 2022.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers were formed in Los Angeles in 1982 as Tony Flow and the Miraculously Majestic Masters of Mayhem by singerAnthony Kiedis, guitaristHillel Slovak, bassistFlea, and drummerJack Irons, classmates atFairfax High School.Their first performance was on December 16, 1982, at the Grandia Room club onHollywood Boulevardto a crowd of approximately 30. Gary Allen, a friend of the band, was hosting a release party for his new EP and asked Kiedis and Flea to put together an opening act.
At the time, Slovak and Irons were already committed to another group,What Is This?; however, the new band was asked to return the following week.In March, they changed their name to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, playing several shows at Los Angeles venues. Six songs from these shows were on the band's firstdemo tape.In November 1983, managerLindy Goetzstruck a seven-album deal withEMI AmericaandEnigma Records. Two weeks earlier, however, What Is This? had also obtained a record deal withMCA, and in December Slovak and Irons quit the Red Hot Chili Peppers to focus on What Is This?.Flea and Kiedis recruitedWeirdosdrummerCliff Martinezand guitaristJack Sherman.
The band released their debut album,The Red Hot Chili Peppers, in August 1984. Airplay oncollege radioandMTVhelped build a fan base,and the album sold 300,000 copies.Gang of FourguitaristAndy Gill, who produced the album, pushed the band to play with a cleaner, more radio-friendly sound,and the band was disappointed with the result, finding it over-polished.The album included backing vocals by Gwen Dickey, the singer for the 1970sdisco funkgroupRose Royce.The band embarked on a grueling tour, performing 60 shows in 64 days. During the tour, continuing musical and lifestyle tension between Kiedis and Sherman complicated the transition between concert and daily band life.Sherman was fired in February 1985and Slovak, who had just quit What Is This?, rejoined the band.
The second Chili Peppers album,Freaky Styley(1985), was produced byfunkmusicianGeorge Clinton, who introduced elements of punk and funk into the band's repertoire.The album featuredMaceo ParkerandFred Wesley. The band used heroin while recording the album, which influenced the lyrics and music.The band had a much better relationship with Clinton than with Gill,butFreaky Styley, released on August 16, 1985, also achieved little success, failing to make an impression on any chart. The band also considered the subsequent tour unproductive.Despite the lack of success, the band was satisfied withFreaky Styley; Kiedis reflected that "it so surpassed anything we thought we could have done that we were thinking we were on the road to enormity."Around this time, the band appeared in the 1986 filmsThrashin', playing the song "Blackeyed Blonde" fromFreaky Styley,andTough Guys, performing the unreleased song "Set It Straight".
In early 1986, EMI gave the Chili Peppers $5,000 to record a demo tape for their next album. They chose to work with producerKeith LevenefromPublic Image Ltd, as he shared their interest in drugs.Levene and Slovak put aside $2,000 of the budget to spend on heroin andcocaine, which created tension between the band members. Martinez's "heart was no longer in the band", but he did not quit, so Kiedis and Flea fired him in April 1986.Irons rejoined the band, to their surprise; it marked the first time all four founding members were together since 1983. During the recording and subsequent tour ofFreaky Styley, Kiedis and Slovak were dealing with debilitating heroin addictions. Due to his addiction, Kiedis "didn't have the same drive or desire to come up with ideas or lyrics" and appeared at rehearsal "literally asleep".
For their third album, the Chili Peppers attempted to hireRick Rubinto produce, but he declined due to the band's increasing drug problems. They eventually hiredMichael Beinhornfrom the art funk projectMaterial, their last choice.The early attempts at recording were halted due to Kiedis' worsening drug problems, and Kiedis was briefly fired. After the band were named "band of the year" byLA Weekly, Kiedis entereddrug rehabilitation.The band auditioned new singers,but Kiedis, now sober, rejoined the recording sessions with new enthusiasm.Songs formed quickly, blending the funk feel and rhythms ofFreaky Styleywith a harder, more immediate approach topunk rock. The album was recorded in the basement of theCapitol Records Building.The recording process was difficult; Kiedis would frequently disappear to seek drugs;after fifty days of sobriety, Kiedis had decided to take drugs again to celebrate his new music.
The third Red Hot Chili Peppers album,The Uplift Mofo Party Plan, was released in September 1987 and peaked at No. 148 on theBillboard200chart,a significant improvement over their earlier albums. The band immediately embarked on a two and a half month North American tour to promote the release, accompanied byFaith No Moreas support who were also promoting their new albumIntroduce Yourself.During that period, however, Kiedis and Slovak had both developed serious drug addictions,often disappearing for days on end. Slovak died from aheroin overdoseon June 25, 1988, soon after the conclusion of theUplifttour.Kiedis fled the city and did not attend Slovak's funeral.Irons, troubled by the death, left the band; following years of depression, he became a member of the Seattle grunge bandPearl Jamin 1994.
DeWayne "Blackbyrd" McKnight, a former member ofParliament-Funkadelic, joined as guitarist, andD. H. PeligroofDead Kennedysjoined as drummer.Kiedis re-entered rehab for 30 days, and visited Slovak's grave as part of his rehabilitation, finally confronting his grief. Three dates into the tour, McKnight was fired for lack of chemistry with the band.McKnight was so unhappy he threatened to burn down Kiedis' house.
Peligro introduced Kiedis and Flea to the 18-year-old guitaristJohn Frusciante, a fan of the band,who brought a darker and more melodic style.Frusciante performed his first show with the Chili Peppers in September 1988. The new lineup began writing for the next album and went on a short tour, the Turd Town Tour. In November, Kiedis and Flea fired Peligro due to his drug and alcohol problems.After open auditions, they hired the drummerChad Smithin December 1988, who has remained since.According to Smith, "We started playing, and right away we just hit it off musically."
The Chili Peppers began work on their fourth album in late 1988.Unlike the stop-start sessions forThe Uplift Mofo Party Plan,preproduction went smoothly. However, the sessions were made tense by Beinhorn's desire to create a hit, frustrating Frusciante and Kiedis.Released on August 16, 1989,Mother's Milkpeaked at number 52 on theU.S.Billboard200.The record failed to chart in the United Kingdom and Europe, but climbed to number 33 in Australia."Knock Me Down" reached number six on theU.S. Modern Rock Trackschart, whereas "Higher Ground" charted at number elevenand reached number 54 in the UK and 45 in Australia and France.Mother's Milkwascertified goldin March 1990 and was the first Chili Peppers album to ship over 500,000 units.
In 1990, after the success ofMother's Milk, the Chili Peppers left EMI and entered a major-label bidding war. They signed withWarner Bros. Recordsand hired Rick Rubin, a producer they had tried to hire before. Rubin turned the band down in 1987 because of their drug problems but he felt that they were now healthier and more focused. He produced several more of their albums. The writing process was more productive than it had been forMother's Milk, with Kiedis saying, "[every day], there was new music for me to lyricize".At Rubin's suggestion, they recorded inThe Mansion, a studio in a house inLaurel Canyonwhere magicianHarry Houdinionce lived.
In September 1991,Blood Sugar Sex Magikwas released. "Give It Away" was the first single, which achieved international fame and became the band's first number-one single on theModern Rockchart.The ballad "Under the Bridge" was the second single, and reached number two on theBillboardHot 100 chart, the band's highest position to date.Blood Sugar Sex Magiksold over 12 million copies.It was listed at number 310 onRolling Stone'slist of500 Greatest Albums of All Time, and in 1992 it rose to number three on the US album charts, almost a year after its release. The album was accompanied by a documentary,Funky Monks.The Chili Peppers began theirBlood Sugar Sex Magiktour, which featuredNirvana,Pearl Jam, andSmashing Pumpkins, three of the era's biggest upcoming bands in alternative music, as opening acts.
Frusciante was troubled by fame, and began falling out with Kiedis. He isolated himself and developed a secret heroin addiction. In an appearance onSaturday Night Live,he performed off-key; Kiedis believed he wanted to sabotage the performance.Frusciante abruptly quit after a show in Tokyo in May 1992.He returned to Los Angeles and spent years living in squalor, struggling with addiction.The Chili Peppers contactedDave Navarroto replace Frusciante. Navarro had just split fromJane's Addiction, but he was involved in drug problems too. After failed auditions withZander Schloss, they hiredArik Marshallof the Los Angeles band Marshall Law,and headlined theLollapaloozafestival in 1992.Marshall appeared in the music videos for "Breaking the Girl" and "If You Have to Ask", as well as theSimpsonsepisode "Krusty Gets Kancelled".In September 1992, the Chili Peppers performed "Give It Away" at theMTV Video Music Awards. They were nominated for seven awards, winning three, includingViewer's Choice. In February 1993, they performed "Give It Away" at theGrammy Awards, and the song won the band their first Grammy, Best Hard Rock Performance With Vocal.
The Chili Peppers dismissed Marshalland held auditions for a new guitarist, includingBuckethead, whom Flea felt was not right for the band.Jesse Tobiasof the Los Angeles band Mother Tongue was briefly hired, but dismissed due to poor chemistry.However, Navarro said he was now ready to join the band.In August 1993, the non-album single "Soul to Squeeze" was released and featured on the soundtrack to the filmConeheads.The song topped the Billboard US Modern Rock chart.
Navarro first appeared with the Chili Peppers atWoodstock '94, performing early versions of new songs. This was followed by a brief tour, including headlining appearances atPukkelpopandReading Festivalsand two performances as the opening act for theRolling Stones.The relationship between Navarro and the band began to deteriorate;Navarro admitted he did not care for funk music or jamming. Kiedis had relapsed into heroin addiction following a dental procedure in which an addictive sedative,Valium, was used, though the band did not discover this until later.
Without Frusciante, songs were written at a far slower rate.Kiedis said: "John had been a true anomaly when it came to songwriting... I just figured that was how all guitar players were, that you showed them your lyrics and sang a little bit and the next thing you knew you had a song. That didn't happen right off the bat with Dave."
One Hot Minutewas released in September 1995 after several delays. It departed from the Chili Peppers' previous sound, with Navarro's guitar work incorporatingheavy metalriffs andpsychedelic rock.The band described it as a darker, sadder record.Kiedis's lyrics addressed drugs, including the lead single, "Warped", and broken relationships and deaths of loved ones, including "Tearjerker", written aboutKurt Cobainand "Transcending" aboutRiver Phoenix. Although it received mixed reviews, the album sold eight million copies worldwide.The band also contributed to soundtracks includingWorking Class Hero: A Tribute to John LennonandBeavis and Butt-Head Do America.Flea and Navarro played onAlanis Morissette's single "You Oughta Know".
The Chili Peppers began the tour forOne Hot Minutein Europe in 1995. The US tour was postponed after Smith broke his wrist. In 1997, several shows were canceled following deteriorating band relations, injuries, and Navarro and Kiedis' drug use. The band played three shows that year, including the firstFuji Rock FestivalinJapan.In April 1998, the Chili Peppers announced that Navarro had left due to creative differences. Kiedis said the decision was mutual.Reports at the time indicated that Navarro's departure came after he attended a band practice under the influence of drugs.
With no guitarist, the Red Hot Chili Peppers were on the verge of breaking up.In the years following Frusciante's departure, his heroin addiction had left him in poverty and near death.Flea convinced Frusciante to enter Las Encinas Drug Rehabilitation Center in easternPasadena, California, in January 1998.His addiction left him with scarring on his arms, a restructured nose, and dental implants following an oral infection.In April 1998, Flea visited the recovered Frusciante and asked him to rejoin the band. Frusciante began sobbing and said nothing would make him happier.
In June 1999, after more than a year of production, the Red Hot Chili Peppers releasedCalifornication, their seventh studio album. It sold over 16 million copies, and remains their most successful album.Californicationcontained fewer rap songs than its predecessors, instead integrating textured and melodic guitar riffs, vocals and basslines.It produced three number-one modern rock hits, "Scar Tissue", "Otherside" and "Californication".Californicationreceived stronger reviews thanOne Hot Minute, and was a greater success worldwide.While many critics credited the success of the album to Frusciante's return, they also felt Kiedis' vocals had also improved.It was later listed at number 399 on theRolling Stonemagazine list of the500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
Californicationwas supported with atwo-year international world tour, producing the first Chili Peppers concert DVD,Off the Map(2001).In July 1999, the Chili Peppers played the closing show atWoodstock 1999.During the set, a small fire escalated into violence and vandalism, resulting in the intervention of riot control squads.ATMs and several semi-tractor trailers were looted and destroyed.The band was blamed in the media for inciting the riots after performing a cover of theJimi Hendrixsong "Fire". In his memoir, Kiedis wrote: "It was clear that this situation had nothing to do with Woodstock anymore. It wasn't symbolic of peace and love, but of greed and cashing in."
The Chili Peppers began writing their next album in early 2001, immediately after theCalifornicationtour.Frusciante and Kiedis collaborated for days straight, discussing and sharing guitar progressions and lyrics.For Kiedis, "writingBy the Way... was a whole different experience fromCalifornication. John was back to himself and brimming with confidence."The recording was difficult for Flea, who felt his role was being diminishedand fought with Frusciante about the musical direction.Flea considered quitting the band after the album, but the two worked out their problems.
By the Waywas released in July 2002 and produced four singles; "By the Way", "The Zephyr Song", "Can't Stop" and "Universally Speaking". The album was their most subdued to date, focusing on melodic ballads over rap and funk, with layered textures, more keyboards, and string arrangements.The album was followed by aneighteen-month world tour,a concert DVD,Live at Slane Castle, and the band's first live album,Red Hot Chili Peppers Live in Hyde Park.More than 258,000 fans paid over $17,100,000 for tickets over three nights, a 2004 record; the event ranked No. 1 onBillboard's Top Concert Boxscores of 2004.In November 2003, the Chili Peppers released theirGreatest Hitsalbum, which featured new songs "Fortune Faded" and "Save the Population".
In 2006, the Chili Peppers released their ninth album,Stadium Arcadium. Although they initially planned to release a trilogy of albums,they chose to release a 28-track double album. It was their first album to debut at number one on the US charts, where it stayed for two weeks, and debuted at number one in theUKand 25 other countries.Stadium Arcadiumsold over seven million units.It won the Grammys forBest Rock AlbumandBest Rock Performance by a Duo Or Group With Vocal("Dani California").
The first single, "Dani California", was the band's fastest-selling single, debuting on top of the Modern Rock chart in the U.S., peaking at number six on theBillboardHot 100, and reaching number 2 in the UK. "Tell Me Baby", released next, also topped the charts in 2006. "Snow (Hey Oh)" was released in late 2006, breaking multiple records by 2007. The song became their eleventh number-one single, giving the band a cumulative total of 81 weeks at number one. It was also the first time three consecutive singles by the band made it to number one. "Desecration Smile" was released internationally in February 2007 and reached number 27 on the UK charts. "Hump de Bump" was planned to be the next single for the US, Canada, and Australia only, but due to positive feedback from the music video, it was released as a worldwide single in May 2007.
TheStadium Arcadium World Tourbegan in 2006, including several festival dates. Frusciante's friend and frequent musical collaboratorJosh Klinghofferjoined the touring band, contributing guitar, backing vocals, and keyboards. The band was a musical guest forSaturday Night Livein May 2006 andTom Hankshosted the show.
After the Stadium Arcadium tour, the Chili Peppers took an extended break. Kiedis attributed this to the band being worn out from their years of nonstop work sinceCalifornication. Their only recording during that time was in 2008 withGeorge Clintonon his albumGeorge Clinton and His Gangsters of Love;accompanied by Kim Manning, they recorded a new version of Shirley and Lee's classic "Let the Good Times Roll".
Kiedis, who had recently become a father, planned to spend the time taking care of his son and developing a television series based on his autobiography,Spider and Son.Flea began takingmusic theoryclasses at theUniversity of Southern California, and revealed plans to release a mainly instrumental solo record; guest musicians includedPatti Smithand a choir from the Silverlake Conservatory of Music.He also joinedThom Yorkein the supergroupAtoms for Peace.Frusciante released his albumThe Empyrean.Smith worked withSammy Hagar,Joe Satriani, andMichael Anthonyin the supergroupChickenfoot, as well as on his solo project,Chad Smith's Bombastic Meatbats.
In July 2009, Frusciante again left the Chili Peppers, though no announcement was made until December.Frusciante explained on hisMyspacepage that there was no ill feeling about his departure this time, and that he wanted to focus on his solo work.In October 2009, the Chili Peppers entered the studio to begin writing their tenth studio album, with Klinghoffer replacing Frusciante.In January 2010, the Chili Peppers made their live comeback in January 2010, paying tribute toNeil Youngwith a cover of "A Man Needs a Maid" at MusiCares. In February, after months of speculation, Klinghoffer was confirmed as Frusciante's replacement.
Red Hot Chili Peppers recorded their tenth album,I'm with You, between September 2010 and March 2011. They decided against releasing another double album, reducing the album to 14 tracks.I'm with Youwas released in the US in August 2011. It topped the charts in 18 countries, and received mostly positive reviews. "The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie", became the band's 12th number-one single."Monarchy of Roses", "Look Around" and "Did I Let You Know" (released only in Brazil), and "Brendan's Death Song" were also released as singles.
In July 2011, the Chili Peppers played three invitation-only warm-up shows in California, their first since 2007.They began a month-long promotional tour in August 2011, starting in Asia. TheI'm with You World Tourran from September 2011 until 2013. The North American leg, expected to begin in January 2012, was postponed to March due to a surgery Kiedis required for foot injuries he had sustained during the Stadium Arcadium tour. After theI'm with You World Tour, the band set out on anothersmall tour, including their first shows inAlaska,Paraguay, thePhilippines, andPuerto Rico.Recordings from the tours were released in 2012 on the free2011 Live EP.
The Chili Peppers were nominated for twoMTV Europe Music AwardsforBest Rock BandandBest Live Artistand nominated forBest Groupat the 2012People's Choice AwardsI'm with Youwas also nominated for a2012 Grammy AwardforBest Rock Album.In April 2012, the Chili Peppers were inducted into theRock and Roll Hall of Fame. A month laterRock & Roll Hall of Fame Covers EP, was released for downloads only, consisting of previously released studio and live covers of artists which had influenced the band. From August 2012, the band began releasing a series of singles as theI'm with You Sessions,which were compiled on theI'm Beside YouLP in November 2013 as aRecord Store Dayexclusive.
In February 2014, the Chili Peppers joinedBruno Marsas performers at theSuper Bowl XLVIIIhalf-time show, watched by a record 115.3 million viewers. The performance was met with mixed reviews for its use of backing music; Flea responded that it was anNFLrule for bands to pre-record music due to time and technical issues, and that they had agreed because it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. He said Kiedis' vocals were completely live and the band had recorded "Give it Away" during rehearsals.The band begananother tourin May 2013, which ended in June 2014.2012-13 Live EPwas released in July 2014 through their website as a free download.
The Chili Peppers releasedFandemoniumin November 2014, a book dedicated to their fans.In December 2014, they began work on their eleventh album, their first without producerRick Rubinsince 1989;instead it was produced byDanger Mouse. Flea broke his arm during a skiing trip, which delayed the recording for several months."Dark Necessities", the first single from their upcoming album, was released on May 5. Their eleventh album,The Getaway, was released in June.Kiedis said that the songs were influenced by a two-year relationship that fell apart."Dark Necessities" became the band's 25th top-ten single on theBillboardAlternative Songs chart, a record they hold overU2.In February 2016, "Circle of the Noose", an unreleased song recorded with Navarro in 1998, was leaked.
In May, the band released "The Getaway".The music video for "Dark Necessities", directed by actressOlivia Wilde, was released in June 2016.The Getawaymade its debut at number 2 on theBillboard200chart, behindDrake, who had the number-one album for eight consecutive weeks.The Getawayoutsold Drake its opening week with album sales of 108,000 to 33,000 (actually placing him at 4th in sales for the week) though due to album streaming, Drake managed to top the band for the top position in the charts.In July 2016, theLive In Paris EPwas released exclusively through themusic streamingwebsiteDeezer. "Go Robot" was announced as the second single fromThe Getaway. In the same month, the band members started to post images from the set of the music video.The Getawaywas reissued on limited edition pink vinyl in September, as part of 10 Bands 1 Cause. All money from sales of the re-issue went toGilda's ClubNYC an organization that provides community support for both those diagnosed with cancer and their caretakers. It is named after comedianGilda Radner.
The band began the headlining portion of theGetaway World Tourin September with the North American leg, featuringJack Irons, the band's original drummer, as an opening act, beginning in January 2017.Dave Rat, the band's sound engineer since 1991, announced that after the show of January 22, 2017, he would no longer be working with the band.
The Getaway World Tour concluded in October 2017. The tour consisted of 151 shows lasting a year and almost five months.In December, the band headlined the Band Together 2 Benefit Concert at theBill Graham Civic AuditoriuminSan Francisco. Money raised from the concert went to the Tipping Point Emergency Relief Fund which between 2005 and 2017 raised $150 million to educate, employ, house and support those in need in theBay Area.
The recording of the next Chili Peppers album was delayed due to theWoolsey Fire; the band performed a benefit show for fire victims on January 13, 2019.In February, they performed "Dark Necessities" with rapperPost Maloneat the61st Annual Grammy Awards.They appeared in Malone's music video for "Wow", released in March.
In February 2019, the Chili Peppers began a month-long tour, featuring their first headlining shows inAustraliain 12 years,including their first show inTasmania, which was briefly halted due to a power outage.On March 15, they performed inEgypt, becoming one of the few acts allowed to perform at thePyramids of Giza.The performance waslivestreamed.On October 26,  David Mushegain, a photographer, announced that a Chili Peppers documentary was in the works.
On December 15, 2019, the Chili Peppers announced that after 10 years, Frusciante had rejoined, replacing Klinghoffer. They wrote that Klinghoffer was "a beautiful musician who we respect and love".In an interview, Klinghoffer said there was no animosity: "It's absolutely John's place to be in that band... I'm happy that he's back with them."On November 2, the Chili Peppers performed their final show with Klinghoffer, at a charity event at the Silverlake Conservatory of Music in Los Angeles.Klinghoffer released his debut solo album,To Be One with You, on November 22, 2019, featuring Flea and the former Chili Peppers drummer Jack Irons.On February 8, 2020, Frusciante performed with the Chili Peppers for the first time in 13 years at a memorial service held by theTony Hawk Foundationfor the film producer Andrew Burkle, the son of billionaireRonald Burkle.Shows were scheduled for three festivals that May,but were canceled due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.In August, the former Chili Peppers guitaristJack Shermandied aged 64; the band released a statement thanking him for "all times good, bad and in between".
On April 24, 2021, the Chili Peppers announced that they had left Q Prime, their management company for the previous 20 years, and they would be managed by their longtime friendGuy Oseary, founder ofMaverick Records.On May 3, it was reported that the Red Hot Chili Peppers would sell their back catalog toHipgnosis Songs Fundfor $140–$150 million.On March 31, the Chili Peppers received a star on theHollywood Walk of Fame.
The 12th Red Hot Chili Peppers album,Unlimited Love, produced by Rubin, was released on April 1, 2022. It debuted at number one in ten countries, becoming the first US number-one Chili Peppers album sinceStadium Arcadium.It was promoted with the singles "Black Summer"and "These Are the Ways".NMEwrote thatUnlimited Loveshared the "melancholic riffmaking, anthemic choruses and softly-sung melodies" of Frusciante's previous work with the Chili Peppers, but introduced new "grungy" and acoustic elements.
On the day of the release, the broadcasting companySirius XMlaunched a dedicated Red Hot Chili Peppers channel, Whole Lotta Red Hot, featuring music videos, live performances and acts that influenced the Chili Peppers.On June 4, the Red Hot Chili Peppers began theirUnlimited Love Tour.The 13th Chili Peppers album,Return of the Dream Canteen, recorded during the same sessions asUnlimited Love,was released on October 14.The first single, "Tippa My Tongue", was released in August,followed by "The Drummer" in October.The band's former drummerD.H. Peligrodied at the age of 63 on October 28.
In April 2024, Smith said that the Chili Peppers would take a break following their 2024 tour dates, and would start writing their next album in 2025.For the closing ceremony of the2024 Paris Olympicson August 11, the Chili Peppers provided a performance of "Can't Stop" ("Eddie" was performed during a post-Olympics special onNBC)inLong Beach, California, representing Los Angeles, where the2028 Summer Olympicswill be held.
On January 30, 2025, the Red Hot Chili Peppers played their first show of the year at theFireAidbenefit concert, which took place at theKia Forum.
The music of the Red Hot Chili Peppers has been characterized asfunk rock,alternative rock,funk metal,andrap rock,with influences fromhard,psychedelic, andpunk rock. Regarding their genre, Flea stated in a 2006Guitar Worldinterview, "For all the styles that have come and gone through-out our career, we never really aligned ourselves with any of them; we were never part of any movement. At one time, people put us together in a category withFishboneandFaith No More, but we were always different from those bands, and they were always different from us."The band's influences includeParliament-Funkadelic,Defunkt,Jimi Hendrix,the Misfits,Black Sabbath,Metallica,James Brown,Gang of Four,Bob Marley,Big Boys,Bad Brains,Sly and the Family Stone,Ohio Players,Queen,Stevie Wonder,Elvis Presley,Deep Purple,the Beach Boys,Black Flag,Ornette Coleman,Led Zeppelin,Yes,Fugazi,Fishbone,Marvin Gaye,Billie Holiday,Santana,Elvis Costello,the Stooges,the Clash,Siouxsie and the Banshees,Devo, andMiles Davis.
Kiedis provided multiple vocal styles. His primary approach up toBlood Sugar Sex Magikwas spoken verse and rapping, which he complemented with traditional vocals. This helped the band to maintain a consistent style.As the group matured, notably withCalifornication(1999), they reduced the number of rapped verses.By the Way(2002) contained only two songs with a rap-driven verse and melodic chorus.Kiedis' more recent style was developed through ongoing coaching.
Original guitarist Slovak's style was based in blues and funk. Slovak was primarily influenced by hard-rock artists such as Hendrix,Kissand Led Zeppelin,while his playing method was based on improvisation common in funk.He was noted for an aggressive playing style; he would often play with such force, that his fingers would "come apart".Kiedis observed that his playing evolved during his time away from the group in What Is This?, when Slovak adopted a more fluid style featuring "sultry" elements compared to his earlier hard-rock techniques.OnThe Uplift Mofo Party Plan(1987), Slovak experimented with genres outside of traditional funk music includingreggaeandspeed metal.His guitar riffs often served as the basis of the group's songs, with the other members writing their parts to complement his guitar work. His melodic riff featured in the song "Behind the Sun" inspired the group to create "pretty" songs with an emphasis on melody.Kiedis describes the song as "pure Hillel inspiration".Slovak also used atalk boxon songs such as "Green Heaven" and "Funky Crime", in which he would sing into a tube while playing to create psychedelic effects.
Frusciante's guitar playing style has evolved over the course of his career, with a technique that employs melody and emotion rather than virtuosity.Although virtuoso influences can be heard throughout his career, he has said that he often minimizes this.Frusciante brought a melodic and textured sound, notably onCalifornication,By the Way, andStadium Arcadium(2006). This contrasts with his earlier abrasive approach inMother's Milk,as well as his dry, funky and more docile arrangements onBlood Sugar Sex Magik. OnCalifornicationandBy the Way, Frusciante derived the technique of creating tonal texture through chord patterns frompost-punkguitaristVini Reillyofthe Durutti Column, and bands such asFugaziandthe Cure.OnBy the Way, he wanted people to be able to sing the lead guitar part, influenced byJohn McGeochof Siouxsie and the Banshees,Johnny Marrofthe Smiths, and Bernard Sumner ofJoy Division.He initially wanted this album to be composed of "these punky, rough songs", drawing inspiration from early punk artists such as the Germs andthe Damned, an English band. However, that was discouraged by Rubin, the producer. Instead he built onCalifornication's melodically driven style.During the recording ofStadium Arcadium(2006), he moved away from his new-wave influences and concentrated on emulating flashier guitar players such as Hendrix and Van Halen.Navarro brought his own sound to the band during his tenure, with his style based onheavy metal,progressive rock, andpsychedelia.
Flea's bass guitar style can be considered an amalgamation of funk, psychedelic, punk, and hard rock.The groove-heavy melodies, played through either finger-picking orslapping, contributed to their signature style. While Flea's slap bass style was prominent in earlier albums, albums afterBlood Sugar Sex Magikhave more melodic and funk-driven bass lines. He has also useddouble stopson some newer songs. Flea's bass playing has changed considerably throughout the years. When he joined Fear, his technique centered largely around traditional punk-rock bass lines.However, he changed this style when the Red Hot Chili Peppers formed. He began to incorporate a "slap" bass style that drew influence largely fromBootsy Collins.Blood Sugar Sex Magiksaw a notable shift in style as it featured none of his signature technique but focused more on traditional and melodic roots.His intellectual beliefs as a musician also shifted: "I was trying to play simply onBlood Sugar Sex Magikbecause I had been playing too much prior to that, so I thought, 'I've really got to chill out and play half as many notes'. When you play less, it's more exciting—there's more room for everything. If I do play something busy, it stands out, instead of the bass being a constant onslaught of notes. Space is good."
Drummer Smith blends rock with funk, mixing metal and jazz to his beats. Influences includeBuddy RichandJohn Bonham.He brought a different sound toMother's Milk, playing tight and fast. InBlood Sugar Sex Magik, he displays greater power. He is recognized for hisghost notes, his beats and his fast right foot. MusicRadar put him in sixth place on their list of the "50 Greatest Drummers Of All Time".During their early career, the Chili Peppers often performed nude, wearing only socks over their genitals; that became a part of their stage persona and brought them early notoriety.
Early in the group's history, Kiedis wrote comical songs filled with sexual innuendos and songs inspired by friendship and the band members' personal experiences. However, after the death of his close friend and bandmate Hillel Slovak, Kiedis' lyrics became much more introspective and personal, as exemplified by theMother's Milksong "Knock Me Down", which was dedicated to Slovak along with theBlood Sugar Sex Magiksong "My Lovely Man". When the band recordedOne Hot Minute(1995), Kiedis had turned to drugs once again, which resulted in darker lyrics.He began to write about anguish, and the self-mutilating thoughts he experienced as a result of his drug addiction.The album also featured tributes to close friends the band lost during the recording process includingKurt Cobainon the song "Tearjerker" andRiver Phoenixon the song "Transcending".
After witnessing Frusciante's recovery from his heroin addiction, Kiedis wrote many songs inspired by rebirth and the meaning of life onCalifornication. He was also intrigued by the life lessons that the band had learned,including Kiedis' experience with meeting a young mother at theYMCA, who was attempting to battle her crack addiction while living with her infant daughter.
OnBy the Way, Kiedis was lyrically influenced by love and his girlfriend.Drugs also played an integral part in Kiedis' writings, as he had only been sober since 2000.Tracks such as "This Is the Place" and "Don't Forget Me" expressed his intense dislike for narcotics and the harmful physical and emotional effects they caused him.Stadium Arcadium(2006) continued the themes of love and romance; Kiedis said, that "love and women, pregnancies and marriages, relationship struggles—those are real and profound influences on this record. And it's great, because it wasn't just me writing about the fact that I'm in love. It was everybody in the band. We were brimming with energy based on falling in love."I'm with You(2011) again featured Kiedis writing about the loss of a close friend, this time in the song "Brendan's Death Song", a tribute to club ownerBrendan Mullenwho gave the band some of their earliest shows and showed support to them throughout their career.
Themes within Kiedis' repertoire include love and friendship,teenage angst, good-time aggression,various sexual topics and the link between sex and music, political and social commentary (Native Americanissues in particular),romance,loneliness,globalization and the cons of fame and Hollywood,poverty, drugs, alcohol, dealing with death, and California.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers' mix of hard rock, funk and hip hop has influenced genres such asfunk metal,rap metal,rap rock,and nu metal.
AllMusicclaims that in 1992, "oodles of (mostly horribly bad) funk-metal acts were following inFaith No Moreand the Red Hot Chili Peppers' footsteps."Bands who have cited the Red Hot Chili Peppers as an influence includeIncubus,Mr. Bungle,Primus,Rage Against the Machine,System of a Down,Papa Roach,311,andSugar Ray.
The members ofKorn, who were formerly in the funk metal bandL.A.P.D., have also cited them as an influence.Kiedis said the band were early to combine "hardcore funk and hip-hop-style vocals", and suggested that they had influencedLimp Bizkit,Kid Rock, andLinkin Park.Smith said, "Certainly Anthony's singing style and voice lends itself to being unique, and nobody sounds like him. The cool thing about it is we can play any style of music whether it's hard and fast, or loud or quiet, slow or medium, whatever it is; rock or funk, and it still sounds like us. I'm proud of that because sometimes bands don't have that strong personality where you go, 'Oh, that's boom, right away.'"
The Red Hot Chili Peppers were inducted into theRock and Roll Hall of Famein April 2012. The induction lineup was Kiedis, Flea, Smith, Klinghoffer, Frusciante, Slovak (represented by his brother James), Irons, and Martinez. Frusciante was invited, but did not attend.Navarro and Sherman were not inducted; Sherman said that he felt "dishonored".The band performed "By the Way", "Give It Away" and "Higher Ground", which included Irons and Martinez on drums. It was the first time Kiedis and Flea had performed with Irons in more than 20 years.
In 2003,Rolling Stonereleased their first list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time", withBlood Sugar Sex Magikat #310 andCalifornicationat #399.In 2012, a revised list was released, withCalifornicationat #401.In 2020,Rolling Stonereleased another version of the list, withBlood Sugar Sex Magikat #186 andCalifornicationat #286.The band received a star on theHollywood Walk of Fameon March 31, 2022.George Clinton,Woody Harrelson, andBob Forrestunveiled the star at the ceremony.On August 28, 2022, the band received the Global Icon Award at the2022 MTV Video Music Awards. The award was presented to them byCheech & Chong.
In 1990, the Chili Peppers appeared inPSAads forRock the Vote, a non-profit organization in the United States geared toward increasing voter turnout in theUnited States Presidential Electionamong voters ages 18 to 24.The band was invited by theBeastie Boysand theMilarepa Fundto perform at theTibetan Freedom Concertin June 1996 in San Francisco.They also performed at the June 1998 Washington, D.C. concert.The concerts, which were broadcast worldwide, were to support the cause ofTibetan independence.
In September 2005, the band performed "Under the Bridge" at theReAct Now: Music & Reliefbenefit which was held to raise money for the victims ofHurricane Katrina.The live event raised about $30 million.In July 2007, the band performed on behalf of former U.S. Vice PresidentAl Gorewho invited the band to perform at the London version of hisLive Earthconcerts which were held to raise awareness towardsglobal warmingand solving the most criticalenvironmental issuesof our time.The band performed a free concert in downtownCleveland, Ohioin April 2012 in support of President Obama's re-election campaign. The requirement for getting into the concert was agreeing to volunteer for the Obama 2012 phone bank. The event quickly met its capacity limit after being announced.
In May 2013, the band performed a concert inPortland, Oregonfor theDalai Lamaas part of the Dalai Lama Environmental Summit.In January 2015, they performed their first show of the new year for theSean Penn & Friends Help Haiti Homefundraiser in support of theJ/P Haitian Relief Organization.In September 2015, the band joined more than 120 other entertainers and celebrities to formally endorseBernie Sandersfor President during the Democratic primary ahead of the2016 presidential election.The band performed at a fundraiser event at the Belly Up Tavern inSolana Beach, Californiain the same month and the money was donated to A Reason To Survive (ARTS), Heartbeat Music Academy, San Diego Young Artists Music Academy, and theSilverlake Conservatory of Music.In October, Kiedis and Flea hosted the annual benefit for the Silverlake Conservatory of Music. The band performed a special rare acoustic set.
In February 2016, the band headlined a fundraiser concert in support of Sanders.In April, they performed at a private function on behalf ofFacebookandNapsterfounderSean Parkerfor his launch of The Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy.Smith andWill Ferrellhosted theRed Hot Benefit Comedy + Music Show & Quinceanerain the same month. The benefit featured a performance by the Chili Peppers along with comedy acts selected by Ferrell andFunny or Die. A portion of the proceeds went to Ferrell's Cancer for College and Smith's Silverlake Conservatory of Music southwest ofGlendale.In February 2018, Smith again joined Ferrell at his One Classy Night benefit at theMoore TheatreinSeattleto help raise money for Cancer for College. The event raised $300,000 in college scholarship money for students who have survived cancer.
On April 21, 1989, Kiedis was convicted of sexual battery and indecent exposure after a concert atGeorge Mason UniversityinFairfax, Virginia. He exposed himself and pressed his penis to a woman's face against her wishes.He was fined $1,000 on each charge.In 1990, Kiedis said the incident was "blown way out of proportion by both the media and the prosecution", and was merely "a playful thing that happened backstage" with no intent of harm.
In 1990, Flea and Smith were arrested on charges of battery inDaytona Beach, Floridaat aspring breakperformance forMTV. Flea was also charged with disorderly conduct and solicitation to commit an unnatural and lascivious act. Flea picked up a 20-year-old woman and threw her into the sand, while Smith forcibly removed her bathing suit and slapped her buttocks.Flea allegedly demanded that she perform oral sex on him before both he and Smith were removed by security.After the arrest, theState University of New York at New Paltzcanceled a Chili Peppers concert.Flea and Smith pled guilty to all charges. They were each sentenced to pay a $1,000 fine, plus $300 to the State Attorney's Office for prosecution costs and $5,000 to theVolusia CountyRape Crisis Center, and ordered to write letters of apology to the woman.In a 1992Rolling Stoneinterview, Flea said: "I wish I'd never done it, and it was a really stupid thing to do. I was out of control. But I did not assault anybody, and it was not sexual. It had nothing to do with sex."
In 2016, Julie Farman, a former music executive, alleged that two members of the Red Hot Chili Peppers pressed themselves against her and "told me about all of the ways we could make a super sexy sandwich" after a meeting with them atEpic Recordsin 1990.