<Tr> <Th> Past members </Th> <Td> Hillel Slovak Jack Irons Cliff Martinez Jack Sherman DeWayne McKnight D.H. Peligro Arik Marshall Jesse Tobias Dave Navarro John Frusciante </Td> </Tr> <P> Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American funk rock band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1983 . The band was formed by vocalist Anthony Kiedis, guitarist Hillel Slovak, bassist Flea, and drummer Jack Irons after they met while attending Fairfax High School . Since its inception, Red Hot Chili Peppers has maintained a four - member lineup, with fourteen official members overall . </P> <P> In late 1983, two weeks before signing with EMI, Slovak and Irons obtained a record deal with MCA Records with their other band, What Is This?, and left Red Hot Chili Peppers . Rather than dissolving the band, Kiedis and Flea decided to recruit new members . Cliff Martinez was hired as the band's new drummer and Martinez's band mate in The Weirdos, guitarist, Dix Denney was expected to replace Slovak . After a few rehearsals, however, the band felt he didn't fit and auditions continued . Their final candidates were guitarists Mark Nine and Jack Sherman, about whom the band knew nothing . After practicing with Sherman, they felt that he was the best fit because he worked well with Flea and Martinez . With Martinez and Sherman aboard, the band released their eponymous debut album on August 10, 1984 . During the ensuing tour, continuing musical and lifestyle tension between Kiedis and Sherman complicated the transition between concert and daily band life . Sherman was fired soon after, with Slovak returning to the Chili Peppers in 1985 after growing tired of What Is This? . At one point, Chuck Biscuits filled in on drums during the 1985 tour . The band dismissed Cliff Martinez from the group in April 1986 due to personal differences and replaced him with founding member Jack Irons, who was out of work and finally separated from other commitments . During this period, however, Kiedis and Slovak had both developed serious drug addictions, which resulted in Kiedis being briefly fired that same year . At one performance, longtime friend and then Circle Jerks frontman, Keith Morris filled in for an absent Kiedis who was out scoring drugs while his band was playing a show . On June 25, 1988, Slovak died of a heroin overdose shortly after the completion of The Uplift Mofo Party Plan tour . Kiedis would then retreat into hiding, further fueling his drug habit and even skipping Slovak's funeral . After a band meeting with manager Lindy Goetz, Irons subsequently left the group, saying that he did not want to be part of a band where his friends were dying . </P> <P> Attempting to cope with the death of Slovak and the departure of Irons, Kiedis and Flea temporarily employed Dead Kennedys drummer D.H. Peligro and former P - Funk guitarist DeWayne McKnight . McKnight's tenure was brief, lasting three shows in September 1988 before he was fired . He was quickly replaced by John Frusciante in October 1988 and writing for the next album quickly began . Peligro however was dealing with personal substance problems of his own and would last a few more months before he too was fired . Despite several open auditions, the band remained without a drummer . One of the final drummers to audition was Chad Smith, who Kiedis said was so proficient on the drums he "ate (them) for breakfast". After another successful jam session, Kiedis, Frusciante and Flea admitted Smith into the Chili Peppers and was hired in November 1988 . </P>

Red hot chili peppers ages of band members