Red Hot Chili Peppers had “nothing to do with” new Netflix documentary
Red Hot Chili Peppers have moved to distance themselves from the upcoming Netflix documentary, helmed by director Ben Feldman.
On January 30th, Netflix announced the new documentary, titled The Rise of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
The streaming platform promised an intimate look at the band’s “gritty formative years” and the “singular vision of original guitarist, Hillel Slovak.”
However, the announcement didn’t quite sit right with the band, who took to their social media to clarify their stance on the project.
“Dear people of the universe,” the band began in an Instagram post, “About a year ago, we were asked to be interviewed for a documentary about Hillel Slovak.”
Sure enough, Netflix’s announcement revealed that the project will include interviews with Red Hot Chili Peppers members Flea and Anthony Kiedis, along with others close to Slovak.
The band explained, “He was a founding member of the group, a great guitarist, and friend. We agreed to be interviewed out of love and respect for Hillel and his memory.”
Despite their ongoing respect for Slovak, they added, “However, this documentary is now being advertised as a Red Hot Chili Peppers documentary, which it is not. We had nothing to do with it creatively.”
If this wasn’t clear enough, the statement stressed, “We have yet to make a Red Hot Chili Peppers documentary. The central subject of this current Netflix special is Hillel Slovak, and we hope it sparks interest in his work.”
In a statement posted before the hitmakers posted their reaction, slated director Feldman explained, “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.”
He added at the time, “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.”
The Rise of the Red Hot Chili Peppers is slated for a March 20th release on Netflix.
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