Hillel Slovak

Hillel Slovak formed the group What Is This with fellow students Anthony Kiedis, Flea, and Jack Irons at Fairfax High School in Los Angeles, laying the groundwork for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Slovak joined the band after they were founded in 1983 and played a crucial role in shaping their early sound, contributing five co-written tracks to their 1984 debut album. He went on to record two albums with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, including Freaky Styley and The Uplift Mofo Party Plan. Tragically, Slovak struggled with a heroin addiction throughout his career and ultimately lost his life to an overdose at the age of 26. Despite his untimely passing, Slovak left a lasting legacy on the band, inspiring songs such as "Knock Me Down" and "Otherside".