Red Hot Chili Peppers appeared on the Howard Stern Show on April 5 and sat down with Howard for the very first time. Anthony Kiedis, Flea, John Frusciante, and Chad Smith had a two-hour-long interview talking about several topics. Among these, they touched upon the recent loss of Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins.
On the show, Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith used a drum that read “Taylor”, as a tribute to Taylor Hawkins. Smith told Stern that he loved Taylor and he was one of his best friends. He relayed that they’re still shocked and saddened by Taylor’s death.
Red Hot Chili Peppers and Foo Fighters had grown close because of touring together in the late ’90s and early ’00s. Taylor loved life and he was a real beacon full of positive energy, Smith said. He added that he is going to miss him a lot.
Smith was so close to Hawkins that he had asked the Foo Fighters drummer to be his son, Beckett’s godfather.
When Red Hot Chili Peppers performed “Give it Away” on the show, Stern was impressed and he said that Flea should try it out on Dancing with the Stars because he’s got sick moves. Stern praised Flea’s stage presence which is a part of the show.
Stern asked Flea if he is moved by his music, to which the bassist responded by saying that he loves the rhythm and his body moves according to it when he’s playing in a certain way. He described it as a “psychical experience” that moves his body and dictates the way he plays.
Flea said that he thanks Foo Fighters guitarist Pat Smear, for inspiring John Frusciante to play. He might not have picked up the guitar without Pat. He also added that The Germs was the first band that really got him into it and he loved the sounds they would use in their tracks. Whatever Pat played, was magic to his ears, and he wanted to make those sounds himself.
