Now for something a little different, a look back at one of the most influential bands from my childhood, the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Their Greatest Hits album has now spent an astonishing 453 weeks in the UK Top 10 Album Chart—a rare feat for any foreign act not named ABBA or Eminem. But when you consider the sheer volume of standout tracks they’ve released, it’s hardly surprising. Alongside Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and the Beastie Boys, the Chili Peppers were a defining part of the 90s and early 2000s soundtrack.

Formed in Los Angeles in 1982 as the slightly chaotic Tony Flow and the Miraculously Majestic Masters of Mayhem, the original lineup featured school friends: bassist Flea, vocalist Anthony Kiedis, guitarist Hillel Slovak, and drummer Jack Irons. Thankfully, the name didn’t last—but their unique fusion of punk energy and funk grooves did. Drawing inspiration from bands like Gang of Four and Dead Kennedys, they quickly made a name for themselves in the L.A. scene, thanks in part to their wild, often clothing-optional performances.

The earliest track on Greatest Hits is their blistering 1989 cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground,” from Mother’s Milk, a breakout moment for the band. But it was Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991) that truly elevated them. The album was crafted in the shadow of tragedy, following Slovak’s death from a heroin overdose. His replacement, an 18-year-old John Frusciante, brought a fresh melodic sensibility that defined hits like “Give It Away” and the haunting “Under the Bridge”, a personal reflection on addiction by Keidis.

Unfortunately, Frusciante too fell into the same dependence, overwhelmed by the sudden fame. After a near-fatal downward spiral, he reemerged following a successful stint in rehab, thanks largely to Flea’s intervention, and rejoined the band for their 1999 mega-hit album Californication. With tracks like “Scar Tissue”, “Otherside”, and the title song, the album marked a commercial and creative high point, blending introspection with unforgettable hooks.

By 2002’s By the Way, the Chili Peppers had evolved once more. The album, featuring the title track and “Universally Speaking” felt more laid-back and melodic, dialling back the rap-rock edge of earlier releases. It showed a band growing older, but no less compelling.

While their biggest hits dominate Greatest Hits, there are also some eclectic gems tucked in. The previously unreleased tracks “Fortune Faded” and “Save the Population” are highlights, along with the stripped-back “Road Trippin’” (originally only released in Europe), and “Soul to Squeeze,” a soulful, emotional B-side from the BSSM sessions that later found a home on the Coneheads soundtrack.

Through lineup changes, personal struggles, and evolving styles, the Red Hot Chili Peppers have remained a force in music for over four decades. And with their Greatest Hits still riding high on the charts, it’s clear their legacy continues to resonate.

Jamie, May 2025

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