Biography
Proud Californians Red Hot Chili Peppers survived drug abuse, nervous breakdowns and years of rotating guitarists to become America's most enduring and best-loved funk-rock band. The original line-up of frontman Anthony Kiedis, bassist Flea, guitarist Hillel Slovak and drummer Jack Irons first came together in Los Angeles in 1983, but just two weeks before signing a deal with EMI America, the latter two left to focus on neighboring rockers What Is This, with Cliff Martinez and Jack Sherman serving as their replacements. Produced by Gang of Four's Andy Gill, the band's 1984 self-titled debut struck a chord with college radio, and following Slovak's return, 1985's George Clinton-helmed Freaky Styley also helped establish their punk-funk credentials. Irons then also made a surprise comeback for 1987's The Uplift Mofo Party Plan, but this short-lived reunion ended in tragic circumstances when Slovak died of a heroin overdose a year later. Kiedis, who was also experiencing his own problems with drugs, and Flea briefly thought about calling it a day when Irons left for a second time. But after appointing drummer Chad Smith and guitar maestro John Frusciante, they in fact never looked back, scoring a Top 100 debut with 1989's Mother's Milk, signing a multi-million dollar deal with Warner. Bros and striking up a long-running partnership with Rick Rubin on 1991's commercial breakthrough Blood Sugar Sex Magik, a record which transformed them into MTV stars and spawned a No.2 single in the shape of "Under the Bridge." Dave Navarro then filled in for the increasingly troubled Frusciante on 1995's underperforming One Hot Minute, before the reportedly penniless and homeless guitarist cleaned up his act and rejoined the fold for 1999's Californication, a 16-million-selling juggernaut which transformed the previously ailing Peppers into one of the world's biggest bands. 2002's By the Way continued their winning streak, while 2006's ambitious double album Stadium Arcadium not only spawned a second US Top 10 single with "Dani California," but also saw the group pick up Grammy nominations in six categories, four of which they won. Touring guitarist Josh Klinghoffer then replaced Frusciante as a full-time member in 2009 before the group scored their first US number one album with 2011's I'm With You and embarked on the lengthiest run of shows in their entire career. An induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame a year later and a 2014 Super Bowl half-time show alongside Bruno Mars kept the band in the spotlight, before they headed into the studio with Danger Mouse to work on their 11th studio effort.
