Artist of the day - Red Hot Chilli Peppers
Nikhil Dev | January 30, 2007 | 12:26 am
The Red Hot Chili Peppers are an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1983.
Throughout their career, the band has successfully fused various elements of alternative rock, punk, rap, funk, heavy metal, psychedelic rock and adding just a touch of pop rock as the years progressed. They have, collectively, sold 60 million records worldwide, and also hold the record for most number one singles on the Billboard Modern Rock Chart with 11 (with a total of 78 weeks at number 1).
The Red Hot Chili Peppers (originally Tony Flow and the Miraculously Majestic Masters of Mayhem) were formed after what was supposed to be a one time performance in 1983 by Fairfax High School alumni Michael “Flea” Balzary (bass), Anthony Kiedis (vocals), Jack Irons (drums), and Hillel Slovak (guitar). Later in that same year, after becoming a popular draw in the Los Angeles rock scene, they secured a record deal with EMI.
At the time, Slovak and Irons both had obligations to another band, ‘What is This?’ Consequently, Red Hot Chili Peppers, the band’s 1984 debut album, was recorded with replacement members Jack Sherman on guitar and Cliff Martinez on drums. Produced by Gang of Four’s Andy Gill, the album did not achieve commercial success. The ensuing tour did not fare much better, with internal fighting between Sherman, Kiedis, and Flea resulting in Sherman’s departure, and Hillel Slovak returning.
Parliament-Funkadelic’s George Clinton was hired to produce their second album, 1985’s Freaky Styley. Cliff Martinez was fired from the band soon after the release of the album, allowing the return of original drummer Jack Irons in early 1986. During this time, drug problems started to become prevalent with the band. At one point Anthony Kiedis was fired from the band due to his heroin addiction, only to rejoin after getting clean. Hillel was also using heroin but managed to keep himself together and stay in the band.
Their next album, which entered the Billboard Top 200, was 1987’s The Uplift Mofo Party Plan lead singer . It was produced by Michael Beinhorn. This was the only album to feature the four original members.During the supporting tour, the public became aware of Slovak’s drug problems after his relapse, which resulted in erratic behavior and botched performances. The rest of the band was upset and annoyed by this, and were on the verge of firing Slovak, but backed out of doing such a thing on the advice of FishboneAngelo Moore, who felt and warned the Chilis that firing Hillel would actually bring more bad than good for the benefit of the band. Shortly after the band returned from some performances in Europe on June 25, 1988, Slovak was found dead of a heroin overdose. Jack Irons left the band saying that he didn’t want to be a part of something that involved his friends dying. He then went on to drum with Pearl Jam and Eleven.Members
Anthony Kiedis (vocals)
John Frusciante (guitar, back up vocals)
Flea (bass, back up vocals)
Chad Smith (drums)
