The Red Hot Chili Peppers are one of the best bands hands down. Period. They’ve been putting out awesome music for a shade over two decades. Their style has always been very unique. From wild lead singer Anthony Kiedis’ everchanging hairstyles and vocals to wacky basist Flea, RHCP just totally rocks.

I think what I admire most is how creative they really are. Along with underrated guitarist John Frusciante and drummer Chad Smith, the Four Horsemen of music have been churning out great albums since 1991 hit Blood Sugar Sex Magik which produced their first Grammy “Give It Away” winning for Best Hard Rock Performance. It also took home two MTV VMA’s when MTV meant something instead of the bullshit we get today.

Another great hit from that era which still ranks pretty high on diehard RCHP fan lists is “Under The Bridge” which was a very personal song for Kiedis about his battle with drug addition. That battle at one point became too much for bandmate Frusciante who abruptly left the band late in 1992. He was replaced by Dave Navarro at Woodstock ‘94 and wouldn’t resurface until seven years later after a life and death struggle with heroin.

Just how bad was it? Read this chilling part:

In the years following his departure from the band, it became public that John Frusciante had developed an addiction to heroin, which left him in poverty and near death.^[43] He was talked into admitting himself to Las Encinas Drug Rehabilitation Center in January of 1998.^[44][45] He concluded the process in February of that year and began renting a small apartment in Silver Lake.^[46] He acquired many injuries/problems in the years of his addiction, some requiring surgery, including permanent scarring on his arms, a restructured nose, and new teeth to prevent fatal infection.^[47]

When Flea visited him and asked him to rejoin the band, he openly accepted. It would result in arguably their best album to date Californication. Hits such as “Scar Tissue,” “Otherside,” “Californication,” “Around The World,” and Parallel Universe” all became mainstream. Some are still played on the radio today.

I still am partial to the shortest song on the album, “Right On Time.” If you’ve ever heard it live, it just kicks complete ass. In particular, Frusciante’s back-up vocals on this song happen to be tremendous.

See for yourself:

RHCP: “Right On Time-Live Rock In Rio 2001“ 

Since, they’ve had two more great albums including By The Way and the 2006 masterpiece two-CD Stadium Arcadium which featured several hits including the very cool throwback video for “Dani California.” “Tell Me Baby,” and “Snow (Hey Ohhh)” are the best songs on the album but there are so many entertaining others which is what makes this group so special.

They just don’t waste your time sticking songs on for the sake of being there.

Not surprisingly, Stadium Arcadium took home six Grammy’s last year including for Best Rock Album and Best Rock Song (Dani California).

Here are some of their best work over the years:

RHCP: “My Friends” it doesn’t get a lot of play but go right ahead kick back and have a brew listening to this one.

RHCP: “Breaking The Girl-Live MSG 2003” a classic from Blood Sugar Sex Magik cause really, when you think about it, it truly is magic coming together.

RHCP: “Under The Bridge-Acoustic” this is just a special rare acoustic which really works. The lyrics in this song are just phenomenal and have such special meaning. Kiedis really sings from the heart. I wish I could dig up the awesome video for this song as well. IMHO one of their best! I love the discussion at the end. Classic stuff.

RHCP: “By The Way” the hit from the named album with that crazy mad insaaaannnee video!

RHCP: “I Could Die For You“ there are plenty of good songs on that same album including The Zephyr Song, Dosed and Throw Away Your Television but for some reason, I really like this one. Listen to the words and you’ll know why. Especially if you care for someone. Who hasn’t?

RHCP: “Tell Me Baby” how can you go wrong with this hit? Another great yet comical video.

There’s only so much Chili Peppers you can choose from. That wraps up this edition!