Chad Smith

Chad Smith was born on October 25, 1961, in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and raised in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Beginning drumming at age seven, Smith drew deep inspiration from hard rock masters John Bonham and Keith Moon as well as funk pioneers like Clyde Stubblefield. Auditioning for the Red Hot Chili Peppers in Los Angeles in December 1988, his colossal physical power and relentless pocket locked in instantly with bassist Flea, creating one of the tightest and most influential rhythm sections in modern music.

With the release of 'Blood Sugar Sex Magik' in 1991 (featuring 'Give It Away' and 'Under the Bridge'), Smith catapulted to the apex of global rock drumming. Over the next three decades, Smith recorded on twelve studio albums with the Chili Peppers, selling over 120 million records, winning six Grammy Awards, and headlining stadiums across the globe.

Renowned as an in-demand session powerhouse, Smith has recorded with Johnny Cash, Ozzy Osbourne, Post Malone, Iggy Pop, Dua Lipa, and Elton John, and formed the supergroups Chickenfoot and Chad Smith's Bombastic Meatballs. In 2012, Smith was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.