American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1983. Long-running classic lineup: Anthony Kiedis (vocals), Flea (bass), Chad Smith (drums, joined 1988), and John Frusciante (guitar, intermittent membership 1988-1992, 1998-2009, 2019-present). Original guitarist Hillel Slovak died in 1988 of a heroin overdose. Distinguished by their fusion of funk, punk, and arena rock and by Flea's slap-bass-driven groove.
Released 13 studio albums between The Red Hot Chili Peppers (1984) and Return of the Dream Canteen (2022). Commercial peak: Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991, featuring "Under the Bridge" and "Give It Away"), Californication (1999), and By the Way (2002). Six Grammy Awards. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012.