All-Time Best Red Hot Chili Peppers Songs

Their most popular songs include 'Under the Bridge,' 'Californication,' 'Give It Away,' 'Scar Tissue,' 'By the Way,' 'Dani California,' 'Snow (Hey Oh),' and 'Can't Stop.' 'Under the Bridge' and 'Give It Away' are probably their most iconic tracks that really put them on the mainstream map in the early '90s.

John Frusciante has had a complicated relationship with fame and the music industry. He first left in 1992 due to the pressures of sudden fame after their breakthrough album 'Blood Sugar Sex Magik.' He struggled with drug addiction and wanted to pursue different musical directions. He rejoined in 1998, helping create their most successful albums, but left again in 2009 to focus on electronic and experimental solo music. He returned in 2019, saying he missed playing guitar and making music with his bandmates.

Red Hot Chili Peppers formed in 1982 in Los Angeles, making them over 40 years old as a band. They were originally called Tony Flow and the Miraculously Majestic Masters of Mayhem before settling on Red Hot Chili Peppers. The core of Anthony Kiedis and Flea has remained constant since the beginning, making them one of the longest-running rock bands still actively touring and recording.

They're known for blending rock, funk, rap, and punk into their own unique style often called 'funk rock' or 'alternative rock.' They pioneered mixing rap vocals with funk basslines and rock guitars in the late '80s and early '90s. Their sound has evolved over the decades, incorporating more melodic and introspective elements, especially during the John Frusciante era, but they've always maintained that funk-rock foundation.

Their biggest commercial successes are 'Blood Sugar Sex Magik' (1991), 'Californication' (1999), 'By the Way' (2002), and 'Stadium Arcadium' (2006). 'Blood Sugar Sex Magik' was their mainstream breakthrough, while 'Californication' marked their return to form with John Frusciante and became their best-selling album. Most recently, they released 'Unlimited Love' (2022) and 'Return of the Dream Canteen' (2022), both featuring Frusciante's return.

Yes, they're still very active! They completed their 'Unlimited Love Tour' in 2023 and released two new albums in 2022 after John Frusciante's return. According to recent reports, the band plans to take a break after their 2024 tour dates and will start writing their next album in 2025. They also performed at the closing ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics, showing they're still going strong.

Hillel Slovak was one of the founding members and played guitar on their early albums. Tragically, he died of a heroin overdose in 1988 at just 26 years old. His death deeply affected the band, particularly Anthony Kiedis and Flea, who were childhood friends with him. Slovak was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside the other members when RHCP was inducted in 2012, and the band has always honored his memory and contributions to their early sound.

The name came from a combination of influences - they liked the idea of something 'red hot' representing their energy and funk style, and 'chili peppers' came from Louis Armstrong's recording of 'Chili Pepper Blues.' Anthony Kiedis has said they wanted a name that sounded hot, spicy, and had some funk flavor to it. Before settling on this name, they briefly performed under other names like Tony Flow and the Miraculously Majestic Masters of Mayhem.