DON’T MISS THE BEAT

RED H T CH ILI PEPPERS

RED H T CH ILI PEPPERS

ENDING THE SUMMER WITH EXTRA HEAT

By Maha Chaudhry

It is about to get pretty nostalgic in Orlando. The Red Hot Chili Peppers are making their way from “Under the Bridge” to tour at the Camping World Stadium on September 15th. The ‘Black Summer’ World Tour featuring hits like “Unlimited Love,” will be their first in five years.

Established in the 1980s, the Red Hot Chili Peppers are notorious for combining funk and punk rock to create a musical style unique to their own. Fans love them for their originality and for delivering some of the biggest classic hits of all time.

Whether or not you grew up with the Peppers, it’s likely you’ve heard the name before. Since their beginning in the 80s, the Red Hot Chili Peppers have gone through several transitions, only to come out stronger and notoriously renowned at the end. Did you know that before they were the Red Hot Chili Peppers, their short-lived name was “Tony Flow and the Majestic Masters of Mayhem?” If you ask me, they made the right choice by spicing up the name (no pun intended).

Throughout their musical journey which began in high school, the band lost and gained a number of members, with the guitarist being the prime denominator. Despite all the fallouts, transitions and controversial reputation for being unapologetic in the drug addiction department, the Red Hot Chili Peppers found their way back to stardom and proceeded to produce some of their biggest hits.

In 1991, the Red Hot Chili Peppers followed guidance by music producer Rick Rubin to record their album at a mansion once owned by the magician Harry Houdini (also rumored to be haunted). Aside from the spooks, Rubin’s advice served them right, “Blood Sugar Sex Majik,” became an instant breakthrough album, and it only went uphill from there for the band. The album sold over 12 million copies globally and earned the band a Grammy award, thanks to “Give it Away,” ultimately landing the number two position on the Billboard Hot 100 charts.

Then came the classic “Californiacation,” in 1999 as the seventh studio album, bringing the Red Hot Chili Peppers even more stardom with 16 million copies sold, and to date, their most successful album. “Californiacation” features three number-one hits, “Scar Tissue, “Otherside,” and of course “Californiacation.” Rolling stone labeled it as one of the 500 Greatest albums of all time.

Fast forward to the 2000s, the Red Hot Chili Peppers continued to build their musical empire, but this time with a less-controversial and sober twist. In 2010, the band made their live comeback, playing tribute to Neil Young at MusiCares. A couple years later in 2012, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and in 2014, graced fans all over with their presence at a highly viewed Super Bowl Halftime performance.

Today, the band comprises of the two original co-founders - Anthony Kiedis, who is since sober and a strict vegan follower of yoga practices and spiritual aspects, and Michael Balzary, also known as Flea, who also left behind his drug-centered past. They continue to take the band through a new era. The two are joined by drummer Chad Smith and guitarist John Frusciante.

What once began as a high school band is now considered one of the most successful bands in the history of alternative rock. To date, they have won seven Grammy Awards and sold over 60 million albums across the globe. It’s needless to say, the peppers are on fire! And they aren’t about to dim the flame just yet. Catch them as they spread nostalgia mixed with new flavor. You don’t want to miss the beat under the heat.