Famed producer Rick Rubin recently revealed his admiration for three musicians he considers exemplars of the “pinnacle” of musical virtuosity: Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante, bassist Flea, and drummer Chad Smith. . According to him, their musical mastery is incomparable, whether one appreciates their music or not.
Rick Rubin’s collaboration with the Red Hot Chili Peppers
Rick Rubin’s relationship with the Red Hot Chili Peppers dates back to 1991, when he helped the California band reinvent themselves with the album Blood Sugar Sex Magik. This album marked a turning point in the group’s career, opening the doors to international stardom thanks to hit singles like Give It Away et Under the Bridge. Since then, Rubin has produced most of the band’s albums, with the exception of The Getaway released in 2016. Their collaboration spawned twelve singles that reached number one on the Billboard Alternative Songs Chart, six Grammy Awards, and a Grammy for Rick Rubin as Producer of the Year for his work on Stadium Arcadium in 2006.
Even after more than three decades of collaboration, Rick Rubin remains impressed by the virtuosity of the group’s members. During a recent interview with Rick Beato, he reaffirmed his admiration for their musical talent while discussing the song Blood Sugar Sex Magik. He declared : “They are a really good group. Chad, Flea and John, these three musicians… I don’t think you can find better musicians than them. It’s the summit. Whether you like their music or not, their ability to play is off the charts.”
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A unique alchemy between the members of the group
Rick Rubin has pointed out that the sound quality of Red Hot Chili Peppers songs comes directly from the way the musicians play, not simply the production techniques used. He added: “You hear it sounds good, but that’s because they’re the ones playing. If three other people played these instruments, it wouldn’t sound as good, even with the same setup. It’s all in the way they play, the way they use their instruments. Of course, careful choices were made for mic placement, but you could have the exact same placement with other musicians, and it wouldn’t sound the same.”
The Red Hot Chili Peppers’ unique connection with their audience
When asked why the music of the Red Hot Chili Peppers continues to resonate with audiences today, Rick Rubin explained that it was because of the energy and spontaneity present in their songwriting.
“I don’t know why, but I think there’s a spirit and an energy to their music. It reflects freedom. They really believe in their music, and it’s not an intellectual process. They feel something and it flows through them. And we get to see it pass through them, because that’s really how it happens. And when John plays a solo, it’s like the heavens open. It’s crazy!”
