Today’s Jewish birthday: Hillel Slovak

Courtesy of Wikipedia

Hillel Slovak in 1983 (Photo: John Coffey via Wikipedia)

Hillel Slovak (April 13, 1962 – June 25, 1988) was an Israeli-American musician, best known as the founding guitarist of the Los Angeles rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, with whom he recorded two albums. His guitar work was rooted in funk and hard rock, and he often experimented with other genres, including reggae and speed metal. He is considered to have been a major influence on Red Hot Chili Peppers’ early sound.

Born in Israel, he later moved to the United States. Slovak met future bandmates Anthony Kiedis, Flea, and Jack Irons while attending Fairfax High School in Los Angeles. There, he formed the group What Is This with Irons, Alain Johannes, and Todd Strassman; Flea later replaced Strassman.

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Tomorrow, April 14: Bradley Ausmus