Red Hot Chili Peppers (1984)

The Chili Peppers had only been doing shows around Los Angeles for a year when a demo tape got them a deal with Enigma Records.  

The original line up was Anthony Kiedis on Vocals, Flea on Bass, Hillel Slovak on guitar and Jack Irons on drums. At the same time as the Enigma deal, Irons and Slovak left the band to pursue another deal with a different band.

Jack Sherman and Cliff Martinez came in as guitar and drums for the debut album The Red Hot Chili Peppers and the subsequent tour. 

Slovak and Irons received writing credits on the album as well. 

Red Hot Chili Peppers - August 10th, 1984

The debut album was produced by Gang of Four guitarist Andy Gill. 

Rose Norwalt of 70’s soul group Rose Royce provides backing vocals on a few tracks. 

1984 lineup:

Kiedis
Vocals

Flea
Bass

Jack Sherman
Guitar

Cliff Martinez
Drums

Shortly after a grueling 2 month tour to support the not so successful album, Sherman was fired and Hillel returned. 

Martinez made it through 1985’s Freaky Styley before getting shit canned and replaced by (wait for it...) 

Jack Irons. 

Martinez was included in the 2012 Rock Hall induction with the band but Sherman was not. 

True Men Don’t Kill Coyotes 

Also on this date in 1902, horror novelist and screenwriter Curt Siodmak was born.