Red Hot Chili Peppers claim they had 'nothing to do' creatively with new Netflix documentary about the band
Members of the Red Hot Chili Peppers have distanced themselves from an upcoming Netflix documentary about the band.Lead singer Anthony Kiedis, 63, bassist Flea, 63, drummer Chad Smith, 64, and guitarist John Frusciante, 55, released a statement on Monday, stating they had 'nothing to do with it creatively.'The Rise of the Red Hot Chili Peppers documentary — centered around the Los Angeles band's early years and their original guitarist Hillel Slovak, who died in 1988 of an accidental heroin overdose — was announced on Friday.Though it will feature interviews with band members Kiedis and Flea, the group took to Instagram to clarify that the film is not a 'Red Hot Chili Peppers documentary.''Dear people of the universe, about a year ago, we were asked to be interviewed for a documentary about Hillel Slovak. He was a founding member of the group, a great guitarist, and friend,' the statement began.'We agreed to be interviewed out of love and respect for Hillel and his memory. However, this documentary is now being advertised as a Red Hot Chili Peppers documentary, which it is not.' Members of the Red Hot Chili Peppers have distanced themselves from an upcoming Netflix documentary about the band; (L-R) Anthony Kiedis, Flea, John Frusciante and Chad Smith They released a statement on Monday, stating they had 'nothing to do with it creatively' and adding that the film is not a 'Red Hot Chili Peppers documentary''We had nothing to do with it creatively. We have yet to make a Red Hot Chili Peppers documentary,' the statement went on.'The central subject of this current Netflix special is Hillel Slovak and we hope it sparks interest in him and his work.'The documentary was directed by Ben Feldman.He called the project 'a deeply relatable story — about the friendships that shape our identities and the lasting power of the bonds forged in adolescence' as per Variety.Slovak's older brother James is an executive producer of the documentary.The Rise Of The Red Hot Chili Peppers will land on Netflix on March 20, following its debut at the Cannes Film Festival last year. Originally comprised of Kiedis, Flea, Jack Irons, and the late Slovak, the band has undergone numerous line-up changes since Slovak's tragic passing and the subsequent departure of drummer Irons. The band's origins trace back to the late '70s when Israeli-American guitarist Slovak founded Chain Reaction — later known as Anthym and What Is This? — during his high school years. Though it will feature interviews with band members Kiedis and Flea, the group took to Instagram to clarify their involvement; (L-R) Smith, Kiedis, Flea, and Frusciante in 2025 The documentary — centered around their early years and their original guitarist Hillel Slovak (pictured 1986), who died in 1988 of an accidental heroin overdose — was announced on Friday 'The central subject of this current Netflix special is Hillel Slovak and we hope it sparks interest in him and his work,' they added; Flea, Kiedis, Smith, and Slovak seen in 1985 With a career that has spanned for over four decades, the Red Hot Chili Peppers have sold more than 120 million records worldwide; Seen performing in 2025The group eventually expanded to include Flea, who was taught bass by vocalist Alain Johannes, and future frontman Kiedis. By late 1982, Slovak, Kiedis, Flea, and Irons performed a show as Tony Flow and the Miraculously Majestic Masters of Mayhem, and went on to sign a record deal as the Red Hot Chili Peppers within a year.Slovak departed before the band recorded their self-titled 1984 debut, but returned for the follow-up albums Freaky Styley and The Uplift Mofo Party Plan, before tragically dying from an accidental heroin overdose in 1988. With a career that has spanned for over four decades — featuring hits such as Californication and Scar Tissue — the Red Hot Chili Peppers have cemented their status as one of the most successful bands in history, with more than 120 million records sold across the globe.
