Chad Smith

Chad Smith

Chad Smith performing at a drum clinic in 2007.
Background information
Birth name Chad Smith
Born October 25, 1961 (1961-10-25) (age 49) in Richfield, Minnesota, United States
Genres Hard rock
Alternative rock
Funk rock
Instruments Drums, Piano, Oboe, Saxophone, Guitar, Didgeridoo, Flute
Years active 1982–present
Associated acts Red Hot Chili Peppers, Glenn Hughes, Chad Smith's Bombastic Meatbats, Chickenfoot, Johnny Cash, Possimpible, Rhythm Train, Toby Redd

Chad Smith (born October 25, 1961) is best known as being the longtime and current drummer of Red Hot Chili Peppers. He is also the drummer of the hard rock band Chickenfoot and the instrumental band Chad Smith's Bombastic Meatbats. Smith has also created Rhythm Train, a children's record with Leslie Bixler and Dick Van Dyke.

Contents

Biography

Chad Smith was born to Curtis and Joan Smith in Richfield, Minnesota. He has two older siblings, Bradley and Pamela. He grew up in Homewood-Flossmoor, Illinois where he attended Homewood-Flossmoor High School for two years. He then moved to Oakland County in Southeast Michigan and graduated from Lahser High School.[1] Prior to joining Red Hot Chili Peppers, Smith was in a local Detroit band called Toby Redd, playing on their second album In The Light. He joined RHCP in time for them to put out the album Mother's Milk in 1989.

In 1991, Smith had a small role in the short film Session Man, which won an Academy Award for Best Short Subject.[2]

In 1995, Smith and Dave Navarro formed a side project, called Honeymoon Stitch. They recorded one song for a Joy Division tribute album and produced a successful remix of the Traci Lords single, Fallen Angel.[3]

Smith has released an instructional DVD with Hal Leonard entitled Eastern Rim, which includes footage from his clinics in Melbourne and Tokyo, footage from various live performances, and interviews.

From 2004 to 2008, Chad played drums on one live album and three studio albums by Black Sabbath and Deep Purple bassist/vocalist, Glenn Hughes.

In 2008, Chad formed Chad Smith's Bombastic Meatbats, a jazz instrumental funk-rock band.

Smith is involved in a supergroup/side project called Chickenfoot. He is joined by guitarist Joe Satriani, as well as former Van Halen members Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony. Their album was released by Best Buy in the U.S. on June 5, 2009.[4][5]

In the May 2006 issue of Doell & Ford Magazine, Smith was named the number one rock drummer alive.[6]

In 2006, Chad played drums on the Dixie Chicks album, Taking the Long Way. The album won five Grammy Awards including album of the year.

Smith was a judge for the 7th annual Independent Music Awards.[7]

Many consider Smith and actor Will Ferrell to bear a striking resemblance. Smith was seen to be wearing a t-shirt bearing the slogan, "I am not Will Ferrell" when Chickenfoot appeared on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien in 2009.

In April 2010, Chad teamed up with singer, Leslie Bixler and legendary actor, Dick Van Dyke to record a children's album, titled Rhythm Train. Van Dyke raps on the album and plays various characters including a pirate. Smith too plays numerous characters, the drums, several instruments and sings. [8] In April 2010, Rhythm Train was named by MTV as one it's all time favorite children's records and in June 2010 RED/Sony began distributing Rhythm Train. Smith's son Cole was the inspiration for the project. In June 2010 Rhythm Train performed at the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation's, A Time For Heroes celebrity family picnic which benefits the Foundation. Rhythm Train is scheduled to headline a PS ARTS fundraiser in November 2010. A portion of all proceeds from Rhythm Train go to Children's Hospitals in The United States benfiting uncompensated care. A follow up project is much anticipated both by the media and the public. No word as to a release date.

As of May 2010, Smith is back in the studio with the Red Hot Chili Peppers working on their tenth album, which is due out in 2011. Smith also plans on recording a second album with Chickenfoot sometime in late 2010 and the 2nd Chad Smith's Bombastic Meatbats album will be released in Oct 2010.[9]

Smith appears on the upcoming Kid Rock album which is due for release in September 2010.

Personal life

Smith is the proud father of 5 children. From 1992-1997 Smith was married to Maria St John and together they have a daughter named Manon. Smith is also the father of a son Justin and a daughter Ava both from previous relationships. On May 8, 2004 in Hopetown, Abaco, Bahamas, Smith got married for the second time to architect Nancy Mack. They have two sons together, Cole and Beckett Cash. Smith, Mack and their boys split their time between Malibu, CA and New York. [10] Smith is a diehard LA Lakers fan and loves playing golf, riding motorcycles, and watching Saturady Night Live.

Smith regularly contributes to the following non profit organizations: MusiCares, Surfer's Healing, an organization which provides aid to children facing Autism, Right Turn in Boston, and Children's Hospitals across the United States.

Equipment

The kit used by Smith is a typical example of a rock drum setup. He endorses Pearl Drums and Sabian cymbals. Smith has designed two signature crash-cymbals with Sabian. Smith endorses Vater drumsticks and bass drum beaters.

In 2005, Pearl and CeeLite created a drum kit incorporating CeeLite's lighting technology to illuminate Smith's Pearl Masters kit on stage.

Selected discography

References

External links