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Their upbeat name notwithstanding, The Red Hot Chili Peppers have known dissension, drug abuse and death in their 20-year career. Formed by California friends Anthony Kiedis, Michael 'Flea' Balzary, Jack Irons and Hillel Slovak in the early 80's, the...more

Their upbeat name notwithstanding, The Red Hot Chili Peppers have known dissension, drug abuse and death in their 20-year career. Formed by California friends Anthony Kiedis, Michael 'Flea' Balzary, Jack Irons and Hillel Slovak in the early 80's, the band quickly developed an explosive stage show, featuring the exquisite placement of a tube sock on their otherwise in-the-buff bodies, to match their intoxicating mix of funk-punk rock. Down two original members by their first release, "What is This" in 1984, Irons and Slovak returned for the next three albums, making a big impression with "The Abbey Road EP" in 1988. A heroin overdose killed Slovak, the band re-grouped and by 1991 produced a staggering comeback with "Blood Sugar Sex Magik." Replacement guitarist John Frusciante dropped out to battle drug demons in 1992 and, although the Chili Peppers were MTV stars and headlined Lollapalooza II, it took them several years to re-assemble a line-up that jelled. A healthy Frusciante proved to be the missing ingredient, and his return in 1999 resulted in monster success, "Californication." Rocky relations with touring groups marred the next few years, but 2002 saw the release of their next big album, "By the Way."...less