Red Hot Chili Peppers rose to the height of their popularity with John Frusciante on lead guitar, however before him the band’s guitar duties were handled by founding member Hillel Slovak.
Slovak tragically died of a heroin overdose in 1988, and on the 29th anniversary of his passing the band performed a cover of ‘Fire’ by Jimi Hendrix a show at Grand Rapids as a tribute to the late Slovak.
The late guitarist is considered to have played a significant role in pioneering the band’s classic funk rock fusion sound.
The Chilis were joined by founding drummer Jack Irons who left the band after suffering severe depression following the death of his band member and was replaced by current drummer Chad Smith.
The band’s cover of ‘Fire’ originally appeared on their 1988 album Mother’s Milk, a record that both Irons and Slovak recorded on.
Red Hot Chili Peppers released their latest album The Getaway last year but remain one of a bunch of Australian tours that we’re still waiting for.
Watch the tribute to Hillel Slovak below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMWpe5i1mRg
