How Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Californication Revived Their Career with Three #1 Hits

After their 1995 album failed to capture the momentum that their breakdown album Blood Sugar Sex Magik did, Red Hot Chili Peppers were in a tailspin so they fired Dave Navarro and recruited original guitarist John Frusciante back into the band. At that time singer Anthony Kiedis and Flea made up with John and started their comeback album… Californication . It started out as song that Kiedis felt was his best ever lyrics but he couldn’t get the music to work. Tried 10 different arrangements but couldn’t get it. Just when they were about to finish the record John ran in and had it! the perfect music to put with lyrics. Having just relearned to play the guitar after kicking drugs, he saved Anthony’s song from the cutting room floor to return the band to #1 in 1999.

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