It was an almost-but-not-quite reunion of the Red Hot Chili Peppers this past weekend in Los Angeles as three-quarters of the band assembled to honor Anthony Kiedis for his sobriety as part of the MAP MusiCares benefit.
Guitarist John Fruiscante was a no-show, but that didn't stop bassist Flea, drummer Chad Smith and Kiedis from rocking out - they simply brought in Rolling Stone Ron Wood and tore up the Club Nokia.
A lack of rehearsal time - after all, Smith is getting ready to hit the road with Chickenfoot - meant "let's play some covers," and that's just what the multi-national, cross- generational band did with gusto, dishing out spirited versions The Kinks' All Day (And All Of The Night), Howlin' Wolf's Spoonful and and song Wood should know byheart,The Faces' classic Ooh-La-La.
Among the many performers and industry insiders on hand to pay tribiute to Kiedis was Iggy Pop, who said, "He's always been friendly and straightforward to me and to The Stooges as well." As for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pop said, "They've been terrific guys and it's a good, tough little band. That's most of the reason I'm here."
For more information on MusiCares, visit their official website.
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