Netflix Doc To Cover Red Hot Chili Peppers’ ‘Rise’ and Early Years

Explore the early days of Red Hot Chili Peppers in Netflix’s new documentary capturing their rise and the legacy of guitarist Hillel Slovak.

A Glimpse Into the Birth of a Rock Legend

If you’ve ever found yourself lost in the infectious funk-rock rhythms of Red Hot Chili Peppers, then Netflix’s upcoming documentary The Rise of the Red Hot Chili Peppers is about to become your new obsession. Premiering on March 20, this film offers a deep dive into the band’s formative years, shining a heartfelt spotlight on the original guitarist Hillel Slovak—the man whose touch helped define the Peppers’ signature sound before his tragic death in 1988.

Red Hot Chili Peppers members Jack Irons, Hillel Slovak, Flea, and Anthony Kiedis in New York, December 1986 (Gary Gershoff / Getty Images)

Bringing the Story to Life: Director and Production Insights

Directed by Ben Feldman, this documentary is built on fresh, intimate interviews with band members Flea and Anthony Kiedis, alongside close friends and family of Hillel Slovak. This collaboration ensures that the story is told with authenticity and love, capturing the raw spirit of the band’s early days. Produced by Asta Entertainment, Submarine Entertainment, and Polygram Entertainment, the film even garnered early buzz with a screening at the Cannes Film Festival last year.

Feldman shares his enthusiasm:

“It’s a true honor to partner with Netflix to bring The Rise of the Red Hot Chili Peppers to a global audience. At its heart, this is a deeply relatable story — about the friendships that shape our identities and the lasting power of the bonds forged in adolescence. What’s less relatable, of course, is that here those friends went on to create one of the greatest rock bands in history. I’m profoundly grateful to the band and to Hillel’s family for their trust and generosity, and to Netflix for helping bring this story to the world stage.”

Hillel Slovak: The Funky Heartbeat of the Peppers

The documentary digs into what made Slovak such a pivotal figure for the band. His quirky and irreverent sense of humor, combined with a fierce appetite for funk and freedom, ignited the Chili Peppers’ trademark energy. But as many fans know, Slovak’s bright flame was dimmed too soon by addiction—a battle that shadowed him for years.

In 1990, Anthony Kiedis opened up about the pain behind the song “Knock Me Down” from their album Mother’s Milk, a track inspired deeply by Slovak’s downward spiral:

“The initial impetus for that song came to me while we were in England in May 1988. Hillel had a pretty bad drug habit when we left L.A., and when we got there he commenced experiencing withdrawal symptoms. He was really ill, but at the same time he didn’t seem to have compassion for his life or consider that he wasn’t beyond death or humiliation because of drugs. It just dawned on me that here he was in the face of misery, but he still wasn’t ready to concede that drugs were lessening his level of life and beauty. So the idea of ‘knock me down’ came to me, like someone’s got to knock him down before he dies. Because he’s not bigger than life. Then we came back to L.A., and immediately both of us started using again and then he died a very short time afterward, ’cause he was alone. I hadn’t really tried to reach him for a week. I could have saved him — I know CPR really well, and I’ve brought back a couple of friends who died from an OD.”

This bittersweet story is sure to strike a chord with longtime fans and new viewers alike, revealing the human struggles behind rock stardom.

What’s Next for the Band?

While the documentary shines a light on their beginnings, the Red Hot Chili Peppers look to be taking a breather from the spotlight this year. Flea, the ever-dynamic bassist, is set to promote and tour for his debut solo album Honora, dropping March 27 via Nonesuch Records. It’s a fresh chapter for the band’s founding member to explore his own creative voice.

Wrapping Up the Journey

The Netflix doc promises more than just nostalgia; it’s a heartfelt homage to friendship, creativity, and the bittersweet realities behind one of rock’s most enduring bands. Whether you’re a die-hard Chili Peppers devotee or just discovering their funky groove, The Rise of the Red Hot Chili Peppers looks like it will be a must-watch celebration of a legendary journey.

FAQ

• How does the documentary cover Hillel Slovak’s influence on the band?
  The film delves deeply into Slovak’s role as the band’s original guitarist, highlighting his unique sense of humor and musical style, as well as his impact on the band's signature funk-rock sound.
• Who directed The Rise of the Red Hot Chili Peppers?
  Ben Feldman directed the documentary, bringing together new interviews with band members and Slovak’s close acquaintances.
• When will the documentary premiere?
  It is set to premiere on Netflix on March 20.
• What inspired the song “Knock Me Down”?
  The song was inspired by Hillel Slovak’s struggle with addiction and his tragic death, as shared by Anthony Kiedis in a heartfelt interview.
• What are the Red Hot Chili Peppers doing currently?
  The band is expected to take a break this year, with Flea promoting his debut solo album Honora.

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