George Clinton

Lore & Background

Clinton's work with the Chili Peppers on *Freaky Styley* came at a time when the band was struggling with drug use—they used heroin while recording the album, which influenced the lyrics and music. Despite the lack of commercial success, the band was satisfied with the result; Anthony Kiedis reflected that "it so surpassed anything we thought we could have done that we were thinking we were on the road to enormity." The album featured contributions from Maceo Parker and Fred Wesley, both key figures in funk. The band's relationship with Clinton was much better than with their debut album's producer, Andy Gill, who had pushed for a cleaner, more radio-friendly sound. Clinton's influence helped the band blend punk and funk more naturally, though the album still failed to chart.

In Their Own Story

In early 1986, after *Freaky Styley* failed to make an impression on any chart, EMI gave the Chili Peppers $5,000 to record a demo tape for their next album. They chose to work with producer Keith Levene from Public Image Ltd, as he shared their interest in drugs. Levene and guitarist Hillel Slovak put aside $2,000 of the budget to spend on heroin and cocaine, creating tension between the band members. This period marked a low point, with Kiedis and Slovak dealing with debilitating heroin addictions. Kiedis later recalled that due to his addiction, he "didn't have the same drive or desire to come up with ideas or lyrics" and appeared at rehearsal "literally asleep." The band's next attempt to hire a producer for their third album—Rick Rubin—was declined due to the band's increasing drug problems.

Reader's Guide

George Clinton's production on *Freaky Styley* (released August 16, 1985) introduced elements of punk and funk into the Red Hot Chili Peppers' repertoire. The album featured Maceo Parker and Fred Wesley, both renowned funk musicians. While the band had a much better relationship with Clinton than with their previous producer, the album achieved little success, failing to make an impression on any chart. The band also considered the subsequent tour unproductive. Despite this, the band was satisfied with the album; Kiedis felt it "so surpassed anything we thought we could have done." The album included the song "Blackeyed Blonde," which the band performed in the 1986 film *Thrashin'*. Clinton's influence helped shape the band's sound, but the commercial breakthrough would not come until later albums.

Did You Know?

• George Clinton produced the Red Hot Chili Peppers' second album, *Freaky Styley* (1985).
• The album featured Maceo Parker and Fred Wesley, both key funk musicians.
• The band used heroin while recording *Freaky Styley*, which influenced the lyrics and music.
• Despite the lack of commercial success, Anthony Kiedis said the album 'so surpassed anything we thought we could have done.'
• The band had a much better relationship with Clinton than with their debut album's producer, Andy Gill.