This complete list Of Red Hot Chili Peppers Current And Former Band Members looks at an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1983. They are known for their unique fusion of alternative rock, funk, punk rock, and psychedelic rock. The band’s original lineup consisted of vocalist Anthony Kiedis, bassist Flea, guitarist Hillel Slovak, and drummer Jack Irons. Over the years, the band has undergone several lineup changes, but Kiedis and Flea have remained constants.
The band’s debut self-titled album was released in 1984 but failed to make a significant impact. Their second album, “Freaky Styley” (1985), produced by funk musician George Clinton, also didn’t fare well commercially but showed signs of the band’s signature style blending rock and funk. Hillel Slovak returned to the band in time for their third album, “The Uplift Mofo Party Plan” (1987), which showed marked improvement and garnered some attention. Tragically, Slovak died from a heroin overdose in 1988, leading to Irons’ departure from the band.
With new drummer Chad Smith and guitarist John Frusciante, RHCP released “Mother’s Milk” in 1989, a pivotal album that included hits like “Higher Ground.” However, it was their fifth album, “Blood Sugar Sex Magik” (1991), produced by Rick Rubin, that propelled them into superstardom. The album spawned hits like “Under the Bridge” and “Give It Away,” earning multiple awards and critical acclaim.
Frusciante left the band in 1992 and was temporarily replaced by Arik Marshall and then by Dave Navarro. The band’s subsequent album, “One Hot Minute” (1995), was met with mixed reviews and couldn’t replicate the success of its predecessor. Frusciante returned in 1998, and the band released “Californication” in 1999, which became another commercial and critical success with hits like “Scar Tissue” and the title track “Californication.”
The early 2000s saw the band maintaining their commercial success with albums like “By the Way” (2002) and “Stadium Arcadium” (2006), the latter of which won multiple Grammy Awards. Frusciante left again in 2009 and was replaced by Josh Klinghoffer, who played on “I’m with You” (2011) and “The Getaway” (2016).
In 2019, the band announced the return of Frusciante, rekindling excitement among fans for a new era of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. They are revered as one of the best-selling bands of all time and have received numerous awards, including six Grammy Awards.
Anthony Kiedis
Anthony Kiedis, originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan, is one of the founding members of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, serving as the band’s lead vocalist since its formation in 1983. He has been a part of every studio album released by the band, from their self-titled debut in 1984 to their most recent work. Kiedis is known for his unique vocal style, which incorporates a blend of rapping, singing, and spoken word. He has co-written many of the band’s biggest hits, such as “Under the Bridge,” “Californication,” and “By the Way.” Outside of the Chili Peppers, Kiedis has dabbled in acting but remains most notable for his work with the band.
Flea
Flea, whose real name is Michael Balzary, was born in Melbourne, Australia, and is another founding member of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. He has been the band’s bassist since its inception in 1983. Flea is noted for his slap-bass technique and is considered one of the greatest bassists of all time. He has contributed to the writing of several of the band’s songs and has been instrumental in shaping the band’s sound, which incorporates elements of funk, punk, and rock. Outside of the Red Hot Chili Peppers Flea has been involved in a variety of musical projects, including collaborations with artists like Alanis Morissette and Johnny Cash, and has also acted in several films.
Chad Smith
Chad Smith, born in St. Paul, Minnesota, joined the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1988, ahead of the recording of their fourth studio album, “Mother’s Milk.” Smith’s powerful drumming became a cornerstone of the band’s evolving sound. He has been a part of all the albums released by the band since his arrival, including seminal works like “Blood Sugar Sex Magik” (1991), “Californication” (1999), and “Stadium Arcadium” (2006). Outside of his work with the Chili Peppers, Smith has been involved in a variety of musical projects, including Chickenfoot and the supergroup Chad Smith’s Bombastic Meatbats. He’s also collaborated with a wide range of musicians across different genres.
John Frusciante
John Frusciante, originally from New York City, joined the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1988, replacing guitarist Hillel Slovak who had passed away. He played a significant role in shaping the band’s sound and contributed to some of their most successful albums, including “Blood Sugar Sex Magik” and “Californication.” Notably, Frusciante was responsible for the melodic textures in songs like “Scar Tissue” and “Under the Bridge.” However, he left the band in 1992, overwhelmed by the band’s newfound fame, only to return in 1998. He would leave again in 2009, and then rejoin in 2019. Outside the Chili Peppers, Frusciante has had a prolific solo career and has also collaborated with a range of artists from various genres.
Hillel Slovak
Hillel Slovak was one of the original founding members of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, hailing from Haifa, Israel. As the band’s original guitarist, Slovak played on their debut self-titled album released in 1984, as well as their second album, “Freaky Styley” in 1985. His guitar style was deeply rooted in funk and rock, and he was a key figure in establishing the band’s initial sound. Slovak passed away in 1988 due to a heroin overdose, but his influence on the band remains significant. Prior to his time with the Chili Peppers, he played in a band called What Is This?, and his work continues to be celebrated posthumously.
Jack Irons
Jack Irons, born in Los Angeles, California, was another original founding member of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, serving as the band’s first drummer. He played on their debut album and “Freaky Styley” before leaving the band. Irons would later rejoin the band briefly in the late ’80s but eventually left again. His drumming style was characterized by its fusion of rock and funk elements. Apart from his work with the Chili Peppers, Irons has had an extensive career, including a stint as the drummer for Pearl Jam from 1994 to 1998.
Cliff Martinez
Cliff Martinez, born in the Bronx, New York, joined the Red Hot Chili Peppers as their drummer after Jack Irons’ initial departure. He played on the band’s second and third albums, “Freaky Styley” (1985) and “The Uplift Mofo Party Plan” (1987). Martinez’s drumming incorporated elements of funk and rock and played a significant role in shaping the band’s early sound. After leaving the Chili Peppers, he shifted his focus to film scoring and has since become a renowned composer for films like “Drive” and “Contagion.”
Jack Sherman
Jack Sherman, originally from Miami, Florida, joined the Red Hot Chili Peppers as a guitarist after the departure of Hillel Slovak. He played on the band’s debut album and contributed to the writing and recording of their second album, “Freaky Styley,” though he was replaced by Slovak before its release. Sherman’s tenure with the band was brief but significant in the band’s early history. After leaving the Red Hot Chili Peppers he worked as a session musician and contributed to albums by artists like Bob Dylan and George Clinton.
DeWayne McKnight
DeWayne “Blackbyrd” McKnight is a Washington, D.C. native who briefly joined the Red Hot Chili Peppers as a guitarist in 1988 following the death of Hillel Slovak. His tenure with the band was extremely short-lived and didn’t result in any recorded material. McKnight is perhaps better known for his work with Parliament-Funkadelic, where his guitar skills were showcased over a long and fruitful relationship with the iconic funk band.
D. H. Peligro
D. H. Peligro, born Darren Henley in St. Louis, Missouri, briefly joined the Red Hot Chili Peppers as a drummer in 1988 following the death of Hillel Slovak and the departure of Jack Irons. His time with the band was short and tumultuous, marked by increasing drug problems within the group. No studio albums were recorded during his tenure. Peligro is most famous for his work with the Dead Kennedys, and he has also released solo work.
Arik Marshall
Arik Marshall, a Los Angeles native, joined the Red Hot Chili Peppers as a guitarist in 1992 following the departure of John Frusciante. While he did not appear on any studio albums, Marshall did contribute to the band’s “What Hits!?” compilation album and toured with them. His tenure was brief, and he left the band later that year. He has since worked as a session musician and played with Macy Gray among others.
Jesse Tobias
Jesse Tobias, originally from Austin, Texas, was briefly a member of the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1993. He was initially slated to replace Arik Marshall, but his stint with the band lasted for only a few weeks and he did not appear on any recordings. Tobias later joined the band Mother Tongue and also played guitar for Morrissey.
Dave Navarro
Dave Navarro joined the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1993, hailing from Santa Monica, California. He played on the band’s 1995 album “One Hot Minute,” which included hits like “My Friends” and “Aeroplane.” The album was a commercial success but received mixed reviews, and Navarro’s tenure with the band ended in 1998 due to creative differences. Navarro is most famous for his work with Jane’s Addiction and has also released solo work. He has also ventured into acting and television hosting.
Josh Klinghoffer
Josh Klinghoffer, a native of Los Angeles, California, joined the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 2009 as a guitarist, replacing John Frusciante. He played on the albums “I’m with You” (2011) and “The Getaway” (2016), contributing to songs like “Dark Necessities” and “Go Robot.” His style brought a more experimental edge to the band’s music. He was replaced by John Frusciante in 2019. Outside of the Chili Peppers, Klinghoffer has been involved in a variety of musical projects, including his own band Dot Hacker and collaborations with artists like Gnarls Barkley.
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![Rob De Luca of Spread Eagle, Sebastian Bach & UFO: 10 Albums That Changed My Life From humble East Coast origins to grandest stages worldwide, veteran bassist Rob De Luca has seen and done it all. De Luca first hit the local Boston rock and metal scene in the late 80s after meeting guitarist Paul DiBartolo, bonding over Van Halen before forming Bang. Regional success came quickly, but eventually, the members of Bang went their separate ways, with De Luca and drummer Tommi Gallo heading to NYC and hooking up with Ray West and, later, DiBartolo to form Spread Eagle. By 1990, Spread Eagle was on the fast track, with a contract through MCA Records and a self-titled debut album poised to crush skulls. But poor timing and MCA's sad indifference left Spead Eagle out in the cold despite being a hard-boiled answer to Guns N' Roses's West Coast sleaze. Spread Eagle's first chapter came to an end in '95. As for Rob De Luca, his nimble fingers and gift for melody and songwriting kept him moving forward. Soon, he found a gig with former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach and the legendary outfit UFO. And in 2010, after coupling up with Ray West and his cousin Rik De Luca, Spread Eagle retook flight. During a break from Spread Eagle's increasingly busy touring schedule, Rob De Luca dialed in with ClassicRockHistory.com to run through the ten albums that changed his life. But only after adding, "I made a playlist of these songs, including some I've written or co-written. Do you hear any of these albums' influence on me?" Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3LWJuhDrE8JmzhsmTeIDUq 10) Gentlemen by Afghan Whigs (1993) Here's an entry that was so important to me. This may be the darkest break-up album of all time. Greg Dulli has been in many projects, but I feel Gentlemen is his zenith. Somewhat undefinable at times but always profound and honest. 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However, I was at the right place at the right time for this one. Steve Ostromogilsky had a Berklee College of Music lunch card and used to sneak out sandwiches for me. One day, he invited me to hang out at his place and listen to music. As we got off the train, he put Sony Walkman headphones on my ears and said, "Hey, check out this brand-new group." A song like "It's So Easy" was so different from the popular Sunset Strip sound at that time. Me and about 499 other informed rockers were lucky enough to see them on their first East Coast tour at the sold-out Paradise on Commonwealth Avenue, Boston (the same street Aerosmith started on). I saw Gn'R every tour after until I took a break when Buckethead joined. Gn'R is the band I've been lucky enough to see the most times live, almost 100! Everyone on this album is just stellar. Axl [Rose] had the tones, power, melodic sensibilities, and foresight to do what no other singer did then. Slash's playing was beyond memorable. Duff [McKagan] is one of the most underrated bassists in rock history, and learning his Appetite basslines is a masterclass. Steven [Adler] had the natural swing, and Izzy [Stradlin] was the secret weapon songwriter. Everything that's been heralded about this gem is deserved and true. Check out "It's So Easy," "Out Ta Get Me," and "Mr. Brownstone.' 7) Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd (1975) Another contender for my favorite album and band of all time. Using The Beatles machine (same recording studio, engineer, record label), Pink Floyd made what I feel is their strongest, most cohesive album (my second favorite of theirs would be Animals). This list mainly consists of bands with an instantly recognizable sound. Floyd is certainly no exception to that! This album included a solid handful of undeniable rock radio classics, bookended by two halves of the mind-blowing song "Shine on You Crazy Diamond.' That song was written about former band member and founder Syd Barrett. It would be hard to live in a world without this album. Check out "Welcome to The Machine," "Shine on You Crazy Diamond (parts 6-9),' or even better yet, listen to the whole thing in one sitting! 6) Decade by Neil Young (1977) About this time, I started playing guitar. As a beginner, it was comfortable jamming to this album because the chord changes were simple—a great "first ten years" retrospective of Neil's stunning, unique songwriting. Neil is a treasure who always writes from the heart and stands up for what's right. Check out "Southern Man," "A Man Needs a Maid," "Down by The River," and "After the Goldrush." 5) Highway to Hell by AC/DC (1979) When I heard this album, I was firmly "me." My life would be 100% focused on hard rock music forever. AC/DC are like air; they're ubiquitous. Everyone knows them and their incredible songs. However, as a young teen in Wilmington, Delaware, I only had WMMR 93.3 FM Philadelphia and a few friends to inform me about the world of Rock outside my bedroom. AC/DC had not gone mainstream, and their albums were available primarily in the USA as imports. To put things more in perspective, I only knew two people in the world who had heard of AC/DC. A friend had an import that we played in Steve Buckley's basement, which sounded ripping. When Highway to Hell was released, WMMR started spinning the title track, and I immediately bought the album, listening to it every single day after school. Then WMMR announced AC/DC was coming to the Spectrum in Philly, supporting Ted Nugent! I liked Ted but loved AC/DC, so my good friend Mick Cummins and I bought tickets, and he drove us up to the Spectrum (where we saw most of our concerts). Bon Scott was in fine form, and the band went over great. Although the crowd knew Ted better, Angus [Young] wouldn't let anyone upstage him. I'll never forget it! Unfortunately, Bon would be gone in 6 months. Check out "Walk All Over You," "Touch Too Much," "Shot Down in Flames," and "If You Want Blood (You Got It)." 4) Toys in the Attic by Aerosmith (1975) By the time I heard this, I was now in my teens. I had a childhood friend up the street, Jim Linberg (we're still good buddies). His older sister had a great album collection, including Toys in The Attic. Once I heard that groove, my taste changed. I lost interest in rock music that didn't have some sort of "swing" feel to it. I think Rocks is a slightly better Aerosmith album (and possibly my favorite album of all time), but both are perfect or very close. Check out "Uncle Salty," "Adam's Apple," "No More No More," "Round and Round," and "You See Me Crying." 3) Alive! by Kiss (1975) When I was still a little kid, I asked for Cheech and Chong's Up in Smoke album for Christmas. The entire family came over for an enormous feast, and I dropped the needle. When my mother heard the content, she turned off the album and said I had to exchange it. My mom was cool, but I was young and knew much more about life than she suspected. Anyway, the next day, she drove me back to the store. In the music section, promoted on an "endcap" was a Kiss Alive! display. I had never heard of Kiss, but that cover picture told me I had to have it! My first foray into hard rock. Check out “Strutter.” I went through my Kiss phase very quickly, I believe in a matter of months because I discovered the previous entry, Aerosmith's Toys in the Attic. 2) Honky Chateau by Elton John (1972) When I was a wee lad, my parents bought a used Volkswagen camper van from my uncle Ozzie. My favorite Elton John album is Yellow Brick Road, but Honky Chateau is great and easily one of his best. It sent me down a lifelong rabbit hole of loving everything about the 1970s partnership between Elton and lyricist Bernie Taupin. The simple beauty of voice, the master songwriting, the perfect backing band, the clear, unobtrusive recordings, and always Bernie's incredible lyrics. The day this album was released, Elton became an unstoppable force that conquered the music industry. Check out "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" and "Rocket Man." 1) Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles (1967) Another tape that was included in the VW Camper. The van had a bunch of music tapes, and one was Sgt Pepper. I was too young to understand the sophistication of the music, but that was one of the many skills of The Beatles. They attracted listeners at every level, even little kids. I still feel that immediate connection to Sgt Pepper; now, I hear so much more. It's an album that changed the world and the world of music. Check out "Lucy in The Sky with Diamonds," "A Day In The Life," and "Fixing a Hole."](http://www.classicrockhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Shutterstock_1815495569-1-300x200.jpg)
