Who would have thought that a band best known for wearing socks over their thangs would be the most talked-about band of the year?
That`s what`s happened to the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The group`s fifth album, ”Blood Sugar Sex Magik,” has sold about 2 million copies, the song
”Under the Bridge” is a surprise top-5 hit, and now the Peppers are on the road in the summer`s biggest tour, Lollapalooza – as the headline act, no less. Lollapalooza comes to Alpine Valley on Saturday and the Peppers will star on the ”MTV Music Video Awards” on Sept. 9.
There`s more to the Peppers than a few funky songs, however – these four guys have some serious history.
Singer Anthony Kiedis, 29, was born in Grand Rapids, Mich., but moved to Hollywood at age 11 to live with his father, actor Blackie Dammett. His father was a real playboy, Anthony says. In fact, Anthony even dated some of his dad`s girlfriends when he was a teen. Anthony doesn`t have a steady girlfriend, but he says he likes redheads because they remind him of his first love.
Bassist Flea`s real name is Michael Balzary. He was born in Melbourne, Australia, and, although he grew up in New York and then moved to L.A. during high school, he just recently applied for American citizenship. He played trumpet in band, switched to bass guitar later and played in the notorious hard-core band Fear. He is 29 and has a 3-year-old daughter, Clara, by a former marriage. He`s the only Pepper who ever tied the knot – or untied it.
Drummer Chad Smith, also 29, replaced Jack Irons, who quit the band in 1988. Although he doesn`t get as much attention as Flea and Anthony, rumor has it that Chad is the real wild man of the band. He`s already gotten in trouble for spanking a female fan. ”We`re getting older but I wouldn`t say we`re getting more mature,” Chad says.
Guitarist Arik (pronounced UH-reek) Marshall, 25, just joined the Peppers in July, after guitarist John Frusciante quit. Arik is ”clean,” meaning he doesn`t have any tattoos like the others do. Arik is the band`s third guitarist. Original member Hillel Slovak died of a heroin overdose in 1988. The Peppers don`t do drugs now.
