Chad Smith

This article is about the musician. For other people, see Chad Smith (disambiguation).

Chad Smith
Smith drumming for RHCP in 2016
Smith drumming for RHCP in 2016
Background information
Born (1961-10-25) October 25, 1961 (age 63)
St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
Genres
OccupationDrummer
Years active1977–present
Member of

Chad Smith[1] (born October 25, 1961)[2] is an American musician who has been the drummer of the rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers since 1988. The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012. Smith is also the drummer of the hard rock supergroup Chickenfoot, formed in 2008, and of the all-instrumental outfit Chad Smith's Bombastic Meatbats, formed in 2007. He worked with the Chicks on Taking the Long Way, an album that won five Grammy Awards in 2007.

Smith has recorded with Glenn Hughes, Johnny Cash, John Fogerty, Jennifer Nettles, Kid Rock, Jake Bugg, the Avett Brothers, Joe Satriani, Post Malone, Eddie Vedder, Lana Del Rey, Halsey, The Chicks, Dua Lipa, Charli XCX and Hardy .[3] In 2010, joined by Dick Van Dyke and Leslie Bixler, he released Rhythm Train, a children's album which featured Smith singing and playing various instruments. In 2020, Smith co-wrote and performed as part of the backing band on Ozzy Osbourne's album, Ordinary Man, and again in 2022 on Patient Number 9. That same year, Smith was a member of Eddie Vedder's backing band, The Earthlings, after co-writing and recording the album, Earthling. He was the primary drummer on Iggy Pop's Every Loser the following year.

Spin magazine placed Smith at number 91 on their list of the "100 Greatest Drummers of Alternative Music" in May 2013.[4] Readers of UK-based Rhythm magazine ranked Smith and Red Hot Chili Pepper bassist Flea the fourth-greatest rhythm section of all time in their June 2013 issue.[5] Smith is also known for his charity work especially with young musicians. He has been a lobbyist in support of music education in U.S. public schools. Smith is also the host of the PBS concert series Landmarks Live in Concert, which began in January 2017.

  1. ^ DrumChannel.com, Chad Smith's "My Story", archived from the original on November 7, 2021, retrieved January 8, 2019
  2. ^ Selin, Alicia (October 1, 2023). "Rock Stars Celebrating Birthdays in October". Loudwire. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  3. ^ "Chad Smith on his contribution to Dua Lipa's Break My Heart". August 28, 2023.
  4. ^ "Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers) – The 100 Greatest Drummers of Alternative Music". SPIN. May 21, 2013. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  5. ^ "The 25 Greatest Rhythm Sections of All Time – part 2 :Chad Smith & Flea". MusicRadar. February 27, 2013. Archived from the original on July 6, 2014. Retrieved February 12, 2014.