Red Hot Chili Peppers

US rock band, formed in Hollywood, California, in 1983. They combined punk music with smooth funk to create an original new sound, and remained popular for more than two decades, known for their irreverent, raucous style and wild, nearly nude stage shows. Albums include Uplift Mofo Party Plan (1987), Mother's Milk (1989), the hugely successful Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magik (1991; featuring the hit single ‘Under the Bridge’), Californication (1999), By the Way (2002), and Stadium Arcadium (2006).

The original members were Anthony Kiedis (1962– ) on vocals, Hillel Slovak (1962–1988) on guitar, Michael ‘Flea’ Balzary (1962– ) on bass, and Jack Irons (1962– ) on drums. The band have had the majority of their success with their current line-up, featuring Kiedis, Balzary, Chad Smith (1962– ; drums), and John Frusciante (1970– ; guitar).

Other musicians in the band have included Jack Sherman 1983–85 (guitar), Cliff Martinez 1983–85 (drums), and Dave Navarro 1994–98 (guitar).

Kiedis, Slovak, and Balzary, friends from Fairfax High School in Los Angeles, California, along with Irons, formed the group Tony Flow and the Miraculously Majestic Masters of Mayhem, which played at bars along Hollywood's Sunset Strip. The group changed its name to the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1983 and was quickly signed to the EMI label. The group survived many turnovers of members to become one of the most influential rock groups of the late 20th century.