A new documentary about late Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Hillel Slovak is coming to Netflix. Titled “The Rise of the Red Hot Chili Peppers,” the film focuses on the band’s early years and Slovak’s musical vision. He passed away from a heroin overdose in 1988, and this documentary aims to highlight his significant but often overlooked role in shaping the band.
The film features interviews with RHCP frontman Anthony Kiedis and bassist Flea, along with others who were close to Slovak. It explores the band’s beginnings in the Los Angeles music scene and the strong friendship that developed during their childhood.
Director Ben Feldman expressed gratitude to Slovak’s family when announcing the documentary. He described it as a relatable story about friendships that shape our identities, noting that it’s unique because these friends went on to form one of the greatest rock bands in history.
However, the band has clarified their position regarding the documentary. They stated that while they agreed to be interviewed out of love and respect for Hillel, the film is not officially a Red Hot Chili Peppers documentary. They emphasized that they had no creative involvement in it and hope it brings more attention to Slovak’s contributions.
“The Rise of the Red Hot Chili Peppers” is set to premiere on Netflix on March 20. Fans can look forward to a deeper understanding of Hillel Slovak and his impact on the band.
