List of Red Hot Chili Peppers members

Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers live in 2006. From left to right: Flea, Anthony Kiedis, Chad Smith, and John Frusciante.
Background information
Origin	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres	Alternative rock, funk rock, funk metal, rap rock
Years active	1983–present
Members	Anthony Kiedis Flea Chad Smith Josh Klinghoffer
Past members	Hillel Slovak Jack Irons Cliff Martinez Jack Sherman DeWayne McKnight D.H. Peligro John Frusciante Arik Marshall Jesse Tobias Dave Navarro

Red Hot Chili Peppers is an alternative rock band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1983. The band was formed by vocalist Anthony Kiedis, guitarist Hillel Slovak, bassist Flea, and drummer Jack Irons after they met while attending Fairfax High School. Since its inception, Red Hot Chili Peppers has maintained a four-member lineup, with fourteen official members overall.

In late 1983, two weeks before signing with EMI, Slovak and Irons obtained a record deal with MCA Records with their other band, What Is This?, and left Red Hot Chili Peppers. Rather than dissolving the band, Kiedis and Flea decided to recruit new members. Cliff Martinez was hired as the band's new drummer and Martinez's band mate in The Weirdos, guitarist, Dix Denney was expected to replace Slovak. After a few rehearsals, however, the band felt he didn't fit and auditions continued. Their final candidates were guitarists Mark Nine and Jack Sherman, about whom the band knew nothing. After practicing with Sherman, they felt that he was the best fit because he worked well with Flea and Martinez. With Martinez and Sherman aboard, the band released their eponymous debut album on August 10, 1984. During the ensuing tour, continuing musical and lifestyle tension between Kiedis and Sherman complicated the transition between concert and daily band life. Sherman was fired soon after, with Slovak returning to the Chili Peppers in 1985 after growing tired of What Is This?. At one point, Chuck Biscuits filled in on drums during the 1985 tour. The band dismissed Cliff Martinez from the group in April 1986 due to personal differences and replaced him with founding member Jack Irons, who was out of work and finally separated from other commitments. During this period, however, Kiedis and Slovak had both developed serious drug addictions, which resulted in Kiedis being briefly fired that same year. At one performance, longtime friend and then Circle Jerks frontman, Keith Morris filled in for an absent Kiedis who was out scoring drugs while his band was playing a show. On June 25, 1988, Slovak died of a heroin overdose shortly after the completion of The Uplift Mofo Party Plan tour. Kiedis would then retreat into hiding, further fueling his drug habit and even skipping Slovak's funeral. After a band meeting with manager, Lindy Goetz, Irons subsequently left the group, saying that he did not want to be part of a band where his friends were dying.

Attempting to cope with the death of Slovak and the departure of Irons, Kiedis and Flea temporarily employed Dead Kennedys drummer D. H. Peligro and former P-Funk guitarist DeWayne McKnight. McKnight's tenure was brief, lasting three shows in September 1988 before he was fired. He was quickly replaced by John Frusciante in October 1988 and writing for the next album quickly began. Peligro however was dealing with personal substance problems of his own and would last a few more months before he too was fired. Despite several open auditions, the band remained without a drummer. One of the final drummers to audition was Chad Smith, who Kiedis said was so proficient on the drums he "ate [them] for breakfast". After another successful jam session, Kiedis, Frusciante and Flea admitted Smith into the Chili Peppers and was hired in November 1988.

During the 1992 Japanese leg of the Blood Sugar Sex Magik tour, Frusciante, overwhelmed by the band's new-found success and his drug addiction, abruptly quit in May 1992. Circle Jerks bassist Zander Schloss was auditioned but after four days of rehearsing, Kiedis, Flea, and Smith decided that Schloss did not fit with their future plans. The band originally had wanted Dave Navarro as their guitarist but Navarro's band, Jane's Addiction had just broken up and he wasn't ready to join another band. With a major summer tour planned including a headlining spot at Lollapalooza, guitarist Arik Marshall of L.A. band Marshall Law was hired as Frusciante's official replacement and would finish out the remainder of tour with the band. Coming off their most successful tour the band was excited to start recording their next album however during pre-production of their sixth studio album, tensions grew between the band and Marshall, and they dismissed him from the band in early 1993. Shortly following Marshall's firing the band attempted to hold open auditions but they proved to be a failure although Buckethead was one of the guitarists to audtition. Kiedis attended a show by local L.A. band, Mother Tongue and quickly was drawn to the band's guitarist, Jesse Tobias. Tobias was recruited after a series of open auditions; however, his tenure with the band was brief and after weeks of writing and rehearsals for the next album the band stated that "the chemistry wasn't right" and he was fired although the band already had his replacement ready. Chad was friends with and in contact with Navarro, whom he said was now ready to join the band so on September 5, 1993 Navarro was officially hired as the band's seventh guitarist and work quickly began on the band's next record, One Hot Minute, which would be released in 1995 and was seen as a disappointment in sales compared to their previous album.

The band's One Hot Minute tour proved to be successful however for the band it could easily be viewed as a disaster. Navarro never felt he fit properly in the band and the chemistry just wasn't there with him. Following attempts to write and rehearse for their seventh studio album, in April 1998, it was announced that Navarro had been fired from the band due to creative differences; Kiedis stated that the decision was "mutual". With the band on the brink of a break-up, Kiedis informed Flea that he felt the only way the band could continue is if Frusicante would return. Flea surprised Kiedis by stating he had been in contact with Frusciante and had a feeling he might be open to rejoining. That same month after Navarro's departure, Flea visited Frusciante and invited him to rejoin the band. An emotional and now sober Frusciante readily accepted the invitation. With Frusciante back, the band went on to release three of their most successful albums; 1999's Californication, 2002's By the Way and 2006's Stadium Arcadium.

In late 2007 following the band's Stadium Arcadium tour, the Red Hot Chili Peppers went on a hiatus, with Kiedis citing exhaustion as the main reason. The band's hiatus lasted until October 2009 when they started to write and rehearse for their tenth album however absent from these rehearsals was Fruciante although present was the band's touring guitarist, Josh Klinghoffer leading many to speculate Frusciante had again left the band. Speculation proved to be true with Frusciante already having quit the band for a second time on July 29, 2009 however it wasn't until December 2009 in a post on his official website that he made his departure from the band official to the public. He stated that he left Red Hot Chili Peppers during the hiatus to focus on a solo career. Klinghoffer, who acted as a sideman during 2007 dates on the band's Stadium Arcadium tour and on John Frusciante's solo projects, joined the band on October 12, 2009; however, his membership was not announced until February 8, 2010. With Klinghoffer, the band saw this as a new beginning and in August 2011 they released their tenth-studio album, I'm with You. During this tour, the band added backing musicians, Mauro Refosco and Chris Warren (also Smith's drum technician) to their touring lineup.

On April 14, 2012, the Red Hot Chili Peppers were inducted by Chris Rock into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Kiedis, Flea, Smith, Klinghoffer (who became the youngest inductee ever), Frusciante, Slovak, Irons and Martinez were the members inducted. Slovak was inducted on behalf of his brother, James while Frusciante, who was invited, declined the band's offer and didn't show up although was heavily praised during the induction speech by his former bandmates. Despite their contributions to the band's studio albums, Jack Sherman and Dave Navarro were neither inducted nor invited to the ceremony because the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame committee decided that only original members, current members or those who played on more than one album were able to be inducted. Both Martinez and Irons joined the band (marking the first time either drummer had performed with the Chili Peppers since their departures from the band in the 1980s) onstage for a performance of "Give It Away" and "Higher Ground", which ended up in an all-star jam involving some of the night's inductees and other guest musicians. As of July 2014, the band is currently working on their eleventh studio album which is due for release in 2016.

Members

Current

As of 2011, the lineup of Red Hot Chili Peppers includes one vocalist, one bassist, one drummer, and one guitarist.

Image	Name	Years active	Instruments	Release contributions
	Anthony Kiedis	1983–1986, 1986–present	lead vocals	All Red Hot Chili Peppers releases
Michael "Flea" Balzary	Flea	1983–present	bass guitar, trumpet, piano, backing vocals	All Red Hot Chili Peppers releases
Chad Smith	Chad Smith	1988–present	drums, percussion	All Red Hot Chili Peppers releases from Mother's Milk (1989)
Josh Klinghoffer	Josh Klinghoffer	2009–present	lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals, six-string bass	All Red Hot Chili Peppers releases from I'm with You  (2011)

Former

The former members of Red Hot Chili Peppers consist of seven guitarists and three drummers.

Image	Name	Years active	Instruments	Release contributions
Hillel Slovak	Hillel Slovak	1983, 1984–1988	lead guitar, backing vocals	Co-wrote "Baby Appeal", "Get Up and Jump", "Green Heaven", "Out In L.A., and "Police Helicopter" from The Red Hot Chili Peppers (1984), Freaky Styley (1985), The Uplift Mofo Party Plan (1987), The Abbey Road E.P. (1988), "Fire" from Mother's Milk (1989), Sock-Cess (1989), What Hits!? (1992), Out in L.A. (1994), The Best of Red Hot Chili Peppers (1994), Under the Covers: Essential Red Hot Chili Peppers (1998), 10 Great Songs (2009)
	Jack Irons	1983, 1986–1988	drums, percussion, backing vocals	Co-wrote "Baby Appeal", "Get Up and Jump", "Green Heaven", "Out In L.A., and "Police Helicopter" from The Red Hot Chili Peppers (1984), Co-wrote "Nevermind", "The Brother's Cup" and "Sex Rap" from Freaky Styley  (1985), The Uplift Mofo Party Plan (1987), The Abbey Road E.P. (1988), "Fire" from Mother's Milk (1989), Sock-Cess (1989) What Hits!? (1992), Out in L.A. (1994), The Best of Red Hot Chili Peppers (1994), Under the Covers: Essential Red Hot Chili Peppers (1998), 10 Great Songs (2009)
	Jack Sherman	1983–1984	lead guitar, backing vocals	The Red Hot Chili Peppers (1984), The Abbey Road E.P. (1988), Sock-Cess (1989) What Hits!? (1992), The Best of Red Hot Chili Peppers (2009) Under the Covers: Essential Red Hot Chili Peppers (1998), 10 Great Songs (2009)
	Cliff Martinez	1983–1986	drums, percussion	The Red Hot Chili Peppers (1984), Freaky Styley (1985), Co-wrote "Walkin' On Down the Road" from The Uplift Mofo Party Plan (1987), The Abbey Road E.P. (1988), Sock-Cess (1989) What Hits!? (1992), Out in L.A. (1994), The Best of Red Hot Chili Peppers (1989), Under the Covers: Essential Red Hot Chili Peppers (1998), 10 Great Songs (2009)
DeWayne McKnight	DeWayne McKnight	1988	lead guitar, backing vocals	"Blues for Meister" from Out in L.A. (1994)
	D.H. Peligro	1988	drums, percussion	"Blues for Meister" from Out in L.A., co-wrote "Stone Cold Bush" and Sexy Mexican Maid" from Mother's Milk  (1989)
	Arik Marshall	1992–1993	lead guitar, backing vocals	Marshall did not appear or contribute to any of the band's studio releases however he did appear in the band's music videos for "Breaking the Girl" and "If You Have to Ask", both of which were recorded with Frusciante
	Jesse Tobias	1993	lead guitar, backing vocals	New music was created with Tobias during his brief tenure in the band as they rehearsed for a follow-up to Blood Sugar Sex Magik however he was fired from the band before anything was recorded or released
	Dave Navarro	1993–1997	lead guitar, backing vocals	One Hot Minute (1995), "I Found Out" from Working Class Hero: A Tribute to John Lennon (1995), "Love Rollercoaster" from Beavis and Butt-Head Do America (1996), "Circle of the Noose" (1998), Greatest Hits (2003), Road Trippin' Through Time (2011), Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Covers EP (2012)
	John Frusciante	1988–1992, 1998–2009	lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals	Mother's Milk (1989), Sock-Cess (1989), Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1992), What Hits!? (1992), Live Rare Remix Box (1994), The Plasma Shaft (1994), Out in L.A. (1994), The Best of Red Hot Chili Peppers (1994), Under the Covers: Essential Red Hot Chili Peppers (1998), Californication (1999), By the Way (2002), Greatest Hits (2003), Live in Hyde Park (2004), Stadium Arcadium (2006), iTunes Originals – Red Hot Chili Peppers (2006), 10 Great Songs (2009), Road Trippin' Through Time (2011), Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Covers EP (2012)

Timeline

Touring and studio musicians

Red Hot Chili Peppers has employed numerous touring and studio musicians throughout its career. A touring or studio musician is an unofficial member who will perform live or contribute in the studio with the band although is not considered an official member. Vicki Calhoun, Keith "Tree" Barry, and Philip Fisher did contribute to Mother's Milk (1989), where Calhoun performed backing vocals on "Knock Me Down", "Higher Ground", "Good Time Boys", and "Johnny, Kick a Hole in the Sky", Barry played tenor sax on "Subway to Venus", and Fisher provided drums on "Taste the Pain". Josh Klinghoffer was featured as a backing musician on the final half of the band's Stadium Arcadium tour and eventually become an official member replacing guitarist John Frusciante in 2009. The band's I'm with You Tour and its following tour featured percussionist, Mauro Refosco. Refosco provided percussion for most of the tracks on the band's I'm with You album and related releases. The band's longtime roadie/drum tech, Chris Warren, also became a member of touring lineup in 2007 providing keyboards and as of 2016 is still touring with the band however Refosco is no longer with the band and it's unknown if he will appear on the tour to support their eleventh studio album.

The band has also seen musicians such as Keith Morris and Chuck Biscuits briefly fill in for a show or two. Morris, who was fronting the Circle Jerks at the time, filled in for Kiedis for a show in 1986. Kiedis was off scoring drugs and missed the band's performance so they asked Morris to fill in however Morris didn't know any of the lyrics to the songs so he screamed and yelled his way through the show. Drummer Chuck Biscuits also briefly filled in on drums back in 1985.

Current touring and studio musicians

Image	Name	Years active	Instruments	Release contributions)
—	Chris Warren	2007-present	keyboards, backing vocals (Warren also has been the band's longtime roadie/drum technician)	Red Hot Chili Peppers Live: I'm with You (2011), Official Bootlegs (2011-2013), 2011 Live EP (2012), Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Covers EP  (2012)

Former touring and studio musicians

Image	Name	Years active	Instruments	Release contributions)
—	Mauro Refosco	2011-2014	percussion	I'm with You  (2011), Red Hot Chili Peppers Live: I'm with You (2011), Official Bootlegs (2011-2013), 2011 Live EP  (2012), Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Covers EP (2012), I'm with You Sessions  (2012-2013), I'm Beside You (2013)
Money Mark	Money Mark	2011	B3 Organ	Performed B3 Organ on "Look Around" from I'm with You
Josh Klinghoffer	Josh Klinghoffer	2007	rhythm guitar, keyboards, percussion, backing vocals	touring musician
—	Michael Bulger	2006, 2011	trumpet, trombone, piano	trombone on "Turn it Again" from Stadium Arcadium, trumpet on "Did I Let You Know" from I'm with You, piano on various songs from Red Hot Chili Peppers Live: I'm with You
	Marcel Rodríguez-López	2006–2007	keyboards, clavinet, percussion	touring musician
	Omar Rodríguez-López	2006	guitar	Performed guitar solo on "Especially in Michigan" from Stadium Arcadium
—	Emily Kokal	2006	backing vocals	Performed backing vocal on "Desecration Smile" from Stadium Arcadium
Paulinho da Costa	Paulinho da Costa	2006	percussion	Performed percussion on Stadium Arcadium
	Greg Kurstin	1999, 2011	keyboards, piano	Performed keyboards on Californication and piano on "Goodbye Hooray", "Police Station" and "Even You Brutus" from I'm with You
—	Rain Phoenix	1995–1996	backing vocals	touring backing vocalist
—	Acacia Ludwig	1995–1996	backing vocals	touring backing vocalist
	Lenny Castro	1995, 2006, 2011	percussion	Performed percussion on "Deep Kick", "My Friends", "One Hot Minute", "Tearjerker" and "Walkabout" from One Hot Minute, on Stadium Arcadium album, "Monarchy of Roses", "Factory of Faith", "Brendan's Death Song", "Ethiopia", "Goodbye Hooray", "Even You Brutus?", "Meet Me at the Corner" and "Dance, Dance, Dance" from I'm with You
—	Stephen Perkins	1995	percussion	Performed percussion on "One Big Mob" and "Bob" (iTunes bonus track) from One Hot Minute
	John Lurie	1995	harmonica	Performed harmonica on "One Hot Minute" from One Hot Minute
—	Aimee Echo	1995	backing vocals	Performed backing vocals on "One Big Mob" and "One Hot Minute" from One Hot Minute
—	Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa	1995	chats	Performed chants on "Falling Into Grace" from One Hot Minute
—	Gail Frusciante	1991	backing vocals	Performed backing vocals with her church choir on "Under the Bridge" from Blood Sugar Sex Magik
—	Brendan O'Brien	1991	mellotron, B3 Organ, toy celeste	Performed mellotron on "Breaking the Girl" and "Sir Psycho Sexy", B3 Organ on "Suck My Kiss" and toy celeste on "Apache Rose Peacock" from Blood Sugar Sex Magik
	Billy Preston	1990, 2006	keyboards, clavinet	Performed keyboards on "Show Me Your Soul" and clavinet on "Warlocks" from Stadium Arcadium
—	Rob Rule	1989–1990, 1995–1996	opening comedy act, rhythm guitar, backing vocals, roadie
—	Vicki Calhoun	1989–1990	backing vocals	backing vocals on "Good Time Boys", "Higher Ground", "Knock Me Down" and "Johnny, Kick a Hole in the Sky" from Mother's Milk
—	Kristen Vigard	1989, 1995	backing vocals	Performed backing vocals on "Good Time Boys", "Higher Ground" and "Johnny, Kick a Hole in the Sky" from Mother's Milk and backing vocals on "Falling Into Grace" from One Hot Minute
	Jack Sherman	1989	backing vocals	Performed backing vocals on "Good Time Boys" and "Higher Ground" from Mother's Milk
Philip Fisher	Philip "Fish" Fisher	1987, 1988	drums, percussion, backing vocals	backing vocals on The Uplift Mofo Party Plan, drums on "Taste the Pain"
	Angelo Moore	1987	Backing vocals	Performed backing vocals on The Uplift Mofo Party Plan
—	Michael Beinhorn	1987	backing vocals	Performed backing vocals on The Uplift Mofo Party Plan
	Keith Morris	1986	lead vocals	Filled in for Anthony Kiedis at one performance in 1986
	Maceo Parker	1985	Saxophone	Performed on "Hollywood (Africa)", "American Ghost Dance", "If You Want Me to Stay", "Nevermind", "The Brother's Cup" and "Yertle the Turtle" frm Freaky Styley
	Fred Wesley	1985	Trombone	Performed on "Hollywood (Africa)", "American Ghost Dance", "If You Want Me to Stay", "Nevermind", "The Brother's Cup" and "Yertle the Turtle" from Freaky Styley
	Chuck Biscuits	1985	drums	filled in briefly during 1985 tour
—	Keith "Tree" Barry	1984, 1987–1990, 1995, 2011	saxophone, violin, backing vocals, touring musician	horn arrangements on various songs from The Red Hot Chili Peppers, saxophone on "Subway to Venus" and "Sexy Mexican Maid" from Mother's Milk, saxophone and backing vocals on various songs from Psychedelic Sexfunk Live from Heaven, backing vocals on "Special Secret Song Inside" from Out in L.A., violin on "Tearjerker" from One Hot Minute. Barry also performed saxophone and backing vocals live for the band during the Mother's Milk tour tour and during one appearance on the I'm with You Tour
—	Gwen Dickey	1984	backing vocals	Performed backing vocals on the band's debut album. Dickey is best known as the singer for the 1970s band Rose Royce
—	Phil Ranelin	1984	Trombone	Performed on the band's debut album

References

General

Notes