The Red Hot Chili Peppers attended Howard Stern’s SiriusXM show on Tuesday (April 5) to talk about their new album, perform a few songs and reflect on the hardship they are feeling following the death of Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins feel. However, Stern has been particularly eager to hear her take on the slap, which has been heard around the world, especially since pal Chris Rock inducted the band into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012.
“Too much has already been said,” singer Anthony Kiedis initially objected when Stern tried to get her opinion on the Oscars incident in which Will Smith slapped Rock onstage after the actor-comedian cracked a joke about Jada Pinkett Smiths had done hair.
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“We love Chris Rock and I’m going to stand my ground and say he shouldn’t have been slapped,” Flea said of the instantly viral moment when Smith appeared to take offense at Rock’s GI Jane 2 taunt. (Rock was apparently unaware that Pinkett Smith has the autoimmune condition alopecia, which causes hair loss.)
“I love comedy. I love comedians and I love being insulted,” Kiedis finally chimed in. “Even if he wasn’t necessarily insulting at that moment… I hope that in another moment he will insult me. Because I think it’s healthy to be hurt and to be thoughtful. Comedy has a right to exist without too much violence.”
The visit also touched on the long-standing friendship between RHCP drummer Chad Smith and the late Foo Fighter Hawkins, with Smith sharing a sweet story about the nature of their bond.
“I love Taylor. He was one of my best friends,” said Smith, who recently decked out his drum kit with a tribute to his friend. “We are still shocked and so saddened by his passing,” he added, reminding Stern how much Hawkins loved the SiriusXM radio host and appreciated his often probing, personal questions.
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“And he loved life and was a real beacon and full of positive energy. I’m going to miss him so much,” he continued, recalling the many shows the Chili Peppers played with the Foo Fighters in the late 1990s and early 2000s. “We spent a lot of time together. I love his family and just try to be there for him… and the outpourings from everywhere, not just musicians but people [from] All areas of life showed how much he was loved.”
Smith said that when he asked Hawkins to be his son Beckett’s godfather, the Foos drummer enthusiastically said, “Yeah! Of course! Yes! What do I have to do?” And when Smith said “not really,” Hawkins got even more excited. “Okay, great that I can do that!” he promised, according to the drummer.
“He was beautiful and we will all miss him … I love him,” Smith said. Not only did they bond over being a drummer, but the rocker said they also bonded over being in bands that were long in existence and still touring and playing arenas and stadiums, as well as being married and having three kids in the same to have age.
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