You know you've got something good when you can stand above the rest in terms of originality and innovation for the rock 'n' roll genre. If you're the likes of any one of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, a band born back in 1983 in the heart of California, you're still at the top of the heap. Popular frontman Anthony Kiedis, guitarist Hillel Slovak, drummer Jack Irons, and guitarist Michael Balzary (also known as 'Flea') had an energy that was simply infectious, performing with such fervor that it was the immediate reason as to earning their name: the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
EMI Records took notice and signed the quartet for their debut album back in 1984. The band wouldn't find commercial success, however, until 1990. By that point Irons had departed, Slovak had died of a drug overdose and the band had worked its way through a number of personnel changes and several albums. A fresh lineup revolutionized the group ? with John Frusciante and Chad Smith joining the ranks. The result of the change was 1989's 'Mother's Milk,' a certified gold album with the surprise hit 'Higher Ground.'
What came next was 1991's 'Blood Sugar Sex Magik,' their first release to begin a new label contract with Warner Bros. Records. Thanks to the monster hit 'Give It Away' and the popular rock ballad 'Under the Bridge,' the Peppers hit the big time. They didn't stop there, though, as 1995 saw the release of 'One Hot Minute,' an album that drew mixed reviews but sold more than eight million copies worldwide. It was enough to lead the Peppers into what could be called a reunion project, and a record that remains their biggest success to date. It was called 'Californication,' and racked up global sales of 15 million.
The band's latest album, 'I'm With You,' was released in August 2011 and spawned a tour that kicked off the following month with Kiedis, Balzary and current members Chad Smith (drums) and Josh Klinghoffer (guitar). The first U.S. leg of the tour, including dates in Canada, began in March 2012 and will last through October. Highlighted stops include Lollapalooza and the Austin City Limits Festival.

Red Hot Chili Peppers Tickets - The Music of the Peppers

It was a slow burn for the band as the self-titled debut came out and started the whispers going over this crazy band. It was enough, however, to get the second album moving -- and that album was called Freaky Styley in 1985, a step forward in the right direction leading to their third album called The Uplift Mofo Party Plan in 1987. Things started to look pretty good for the Peppers as a fresh lineup revolutionized the band -- with John Frusciante and Chad Smith joining the ranks following the departures of Slovak and Irons. The result of the change was 1989's Mother's Milk, a certified gold album with the surprise hit 'Higher Ground.' That began the Pepper's truly defining moment in the monumental album to catapult them into stardom: 1991's Blood Sugar Sex Magik. The album to begin their new label contract with Warner Bros. Records. Thanks to the monster hit 'Give It Away' and the popular rock ballad 'Under the Bridge,' the Peppers hit the big time. They didn't stop there, though: 1995 saw the release of One Hot Minute, a decent album hit (not quite as popular as BSSM), and enough to lead the Peppers into what could be called a reunion album (but proved to be a huge success, almost better than BSSM). The name of the album was Californication; the year of 1999 was a happy year for the Peppers.

Red Hot Chili Peppers Tickets - The Sound and Style of the Peppers

You'd know the band if you heard them -- Kiedis has a sound that can only be described as funk mixed with punk and a good dose of some hard rock. The guitar riffs rocked, and one might even compare some of the music to a funkier version of Faith No More. No one could help loving the Peppers. With their crazy antics, fun music, and wild ways -- you simply have to listen to the likes of their single 'Rollercoaster,' and you'll get the picture!