Remembering the Red Hot Chili Peppers co-founder and guitarist Hillel Slovak
Slovak co-founded the Red Hot Chili Peppers with Flea and Anthony Kiedis in 1983
Remembering the Red Hot Chili Peppers co-founder and guitarist Hillel Slovak
Hillel Slovak was born on April 13, 1962, in Haifa, Israel. At the age of four, his family immigrated to the United States, initially settling in New York before moving to Los Angeles, California. Growing up in a culturally diverse environment, Slovak developed a passion for music, particularly influenced by artists like Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin. He began playing guitar during his teenage years and formed several bands with friends during high school.
In the early 1980s, Slovak co-founded the band What Is This? with drummer Jack Irons. Later, he joined forces with Irons, bassist Michael “Flea” Balzary, and vocalist Anthony Kiedis to form the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1983. Slovak’s innovative guitar style, blending funk, punk, and rock elements, became a defining feature of the band’s early sound. He contributed significantly to their first three albums, including “Freaky Styley” (1985) and “The Uplift Mofo Party Plan” (1987).
Despite his musical success, Slovak struggled with heroin addiction throughout his career. He made several attempts to overcome his dependency but faced ongoing challenges. Tragically, on June 25, 1988, Hillel Slovak died of a heroin overdose in Los Angeles at the age of 26. His death had a profound impact on the Red Hot Chili Peppers, leading to lineup changes and influencing the band’s future direction.
Watch the 1984 music video “True Men Don’t Kill Coyotes” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers
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