A new documentary exploring the formative years of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the profound influence of original guitarist Hillel Slovak is set to premiere on Netflix this spring.
The Rise of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, directed by Ben Feldman, known for Bug Out and Rich & Shameless, will debut on March 20.
The film offers an intimate look at the band's gritty beginnings in the 1980s Los Angeles music scene and the deep childhood friendships that would eventually create one of rock's most enduring acts. According to Variety, the documentary features interviews with founding members Flea and Anthony Kiedis, along with others close to Slovak, whose vision helped shape the band's distinctive sound before his tragic death from a drug overdose in 1988 at age 26.
"It's a true honor to partner with Netflix to bring The Rise of the Red Hot Chili Peppers to a global audience. At its heart, this is a deeply relatable story — about the friendships that shape our identities and the lasting power of the bonds forged in adolescence," Feldman said in a statement. "What's less relatable, of course, is that here those friends went on to create one of the greatest rock bands in history. I'm profoundly grateful to the band and to Hillel's family for their trust and generosity, and to Netflix for helping bring this story to the world stage.Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Red Hot Chili Peppers, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012, last released music in 2022 with the albums Unlimited Love and Return of the Dream Canteen. Meanwhile, Flea is preparing to release his jazz-inspired debut solo album, Honora, on March 27.