The funky, freaky styley core at the heart of Los Angeles’s world conquering rockers – vocalist Anthony Kiedis and bassist Flea – has been in situ since Red Hot Chili Peppers' formation all the way back in 1983. Their playful timekeeper Chad Smith has been on board, constantly, since 1988, too. The texture layered up on top of that has always been dependent on their choice of guitarist, though. Although the great Hillel Slovak helped define their sound right up until his death from a heroin overdose in June 1988, it was his successor who would carry them to superstardom. John Frusciante was another troubled soul, struggling with substance abuse, but his ability to twist back and forth between club-scale funk and far grander stylings, led the quartet down the path to absolute ubiquity, first on 1989’s Mother’s Milk, then to far more confident effect on 1991 masterpiece Blood Sugar Sex Magik. He was forced to step away to battle his demons in 1992 (Dave Navarro, in turn, taking his place), but returned in 1998 to all-conquering effect with 1999’s Californication, 2002’s By The Way and 2006’s Stadium Arcadium. And, just like Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson above, he recently came back for another go at things!