Red Hot Chili Peppers Information

Originality defines a band like the Red Hot Chili Peppers. But the Red Hot Chili Peppers music spans more than one genre, and that signature sound can be the barrier to mainstream success because radio stations don't know what market it fits into. The Los Angeles-based the Red Hot Chili Peppers didn't see chart success until their third album, and real commercial success eluded the Red Hot Chili Peppers until the fourth album. After eight No. 1 modern rock hits and nearly 50 million albums sold it is easy to forget the early struggles of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Credited as being the first rock band to fuse punk and funk, the Red Hot Chili Peppers infused rap into its melody rather than its beat and crossed over to both white and black audiences. Elements of rap, punk, psychedelia, blues and pop can be found in the Red Hot Chili Peppers repertoire which spans nearly 25 years.

High school friends Anthony Kiedis (vocalist), bassist Michael Balzary (better known as Flea), guitarist Hillel Slovak, and drummer Jack Irons formed the band in 1983. Flea's bass typically sets the rhythm of the Red Hot Chili Peppers songs. Originally called the Miraculously Majestic Masters of Mayhem, the band played strip bars along the sunset strip during the early '80s. An early trademark of the Red Hot Chili Peppers group was performing on stage completely naked, except for a strategically placed tube sock.

By the time the Red Hot Chili Peppers secured a record deal, Jack Irons and Hillel Slovak were already tied up with another commitment. Jack Sherman was brought in on guitar with Cliff Martinez on drums. Poor chemistry and production problems contributed to a failed self-titled album. Hillel Slovak rejoined the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1985 as a replacement guitarist. The Red Hot Chili Peppers released Freaky Styley next. It met with a little success in Europe and on college radio stations in the U.S. The drummer left and in 1986 Jack Irons returned to the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers' live performances were described as explosive but that energy had been missing from the first two albums. The Uplift Mofo Party Plan corrected that problem. It featured the forming members of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and made the Billboard Top 200. But the difficult to categorize sound of the Red Hot Chili Peppers made it harder to promote. The band toured Europe but drug problems plagued the band. Hillel Slovak died in 1988 from a heroin overdose. Jack Irons quit soon after.

Two guitarists and two drummers later, the Red Hot Chili Peppers developed the lineup they maintain today: Anthony Kiedis, Flea, guitarist John Frusciante, and drummer Chad Smith. "Knock Me Down" became the first Top 10 hit for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Mainstream success and song for the film Pretty Woman followed.

The 1991 album Blood Sugar Sex Magik gave the Red Hot Chili Peppers their first No. 1 hit, "Give It Away." the album sold a staggering 7 million copies in the United States. John Frusciante had difficulty coping with the Red Hot Chili Peppers' superstar status. He left the band and former Jane's Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro eventually filled his spot. Two albums of earlier Red Hot Chili Peppers songs were released under two different labels. One Hot Minute was released in the fall of 1995, spawning another No. 1 hit but receiving mixed reviews. However it sold 4 million copies. Dave Navarro left the band after four years and John Frusciante returned in 1998.

The 1999 release Californication produced three more No. 1 hits. The Red Hot Chili Peppers then toured for almost two years. In November 2001, the Red Hot Chili Peppers released By The Way, an album with a more mellow flavor. It strayed from their past and garnered two more No. 1 singles for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. A live album followed. A new the Red Hot Chili Peppers studio album, Stadium Arcadium, is scheduled for release in 2006 with a worldwide tour to follow.

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