Red Hot Chili Peppers – Their Evolution As A Band
The Red Hot Chili Peppers have been through a lot of trials and tribulations as a band. But in the 80’s they managed to create a musical niche made up of funk, hard rock and musical chaos. In fact, after several sound broadening LP’s under their belt, they have become one of the world’s biggest bands of all time. Still today, these guys fill seats and stadiums as they perform their hearts out for their fans.
The Early Years…
Forming in 1983, in Los Angeles California, when vocalist Anthony Kiedis, guitarist Hillel Slovak, bassist Michael ‘Flea’ Balzary and drummer Jack Irons, secured a recording contract with EMI Records. During this time there were several band changes but in 1989, things started looking up for the band. With John Frusiante and Chad Smith playing into the mix.
By this time, they had quite a fan following, they were holding records on the Billboard charts and in 1990, they signed with Warner Bros. They recorded the album Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991) under producer Rick Rubin. This was their first commercial success, but, at the same time, Frusicante left the band.
Commercial Success…
Frusciante, fresh out of drug rehabilitation, rejoined the band that same year at Flea’s request. The reunited quartet returned to the studio to record Californication (1999), which became the band’s biggest commercial success. It sold 16 million copies worldwide. In 2002, By the Way is released, and then four years later, the double album Stadium Arcadium, (2006), their first number-one album in America. After a world tour, the group went on an extended hiatus.
During this hiatus they all worked on different projects. Flea began studying music theory at USC and played in a variety of side projects, Smith joined Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, and Joe Satriani in the party supergroup “Chickenfoot.” Frusciante released The Empyrean in 2009, by which time he had left the band.
Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The band’s album, I’m with you, topped the charts in 18 different countries. In 2012, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. At the ceremony, they performed with the likes of Slash, Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day, Ronnie Wood of the Faces/Rolling Stones, George Clinton and others. Check out this wild version of Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground.” It was loud and chaotic but you could see the respect they got from fellow musicians.
In 2016, the Chili Peppers release their eleventh studio album, The Getaway, 2016. Danger mouse produced it. It marks the first time since Mother’s Milk that the Red Hot Chili Peppers didn’t collaborate with Rubin.
After dealing with band change-ups, drug addictions, death, relationship issues and a house fire, the band is finally in a comfortable place. What does the future hold? Well, according to front-man Anthony Kiedis, there will be a new album for 2019, The new album will be RHCP’s first since 2016’s The Getaway. They’re still touring and working on side projects. So stay tuned!