Chad Smith facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chad Smith
Smith drumming for RHCP in 2016
Background information
Born	(1961-10-25) October 25, 1961 (age 63) St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
Genres	Funk rock funk metal alternative rock hard rock
Occupation(s)	Drummer
Years active	1977–present

Chad Smith (born October 25, 1961) is an American musician. He is best known as the drummer for the rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers. Smith joined the Chili Peppers in 1988. He has played on ten of their studio albums. He is the longest-serving drummer in the band's history. The group was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012.

Smith is also the drummer for the hard rock supergroup Chickenfoot, which started in 2008. He is also part of the all-instrumental band Chad Smith's Bombastic Meatbats, formed in 2007. He has worked with many famous artists. These include Johnny Cash, John Fogerty, Lady Gaga, and Ozzy Osbourne. In 2010, he released Rhythm Train, a children's album. He sang and played instruments on it.

Spin magazine listed Smith as one of the "100 Greatest Drummers of Alternative Music" in 2013. Readers of Rhythm magazine voted Smith and Red Hot Chili Pepper bassist Flea as the fourth-greatest rhythm section ever. Smith is also known for his charity work. He helps young musicians and supports music education in schools. He also hosts the PBS concert series Landmarks Live in Concert.

Early Life and Musical Start

Smith was born in St. Paul, Minnesota. He grew up in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. He started playing drums at age seven. He listened to bands like Rush, the Rolling Stones, and Led Zeppelin.

Smith did not take formal drum lessons. He learned by playing in school bands. He played in various rock bands in his early years. One band was called Paradise. He also played with Pharroh and Toby Redd. A musician named Larry Fratangelo taught Smith about R&B and funk music. Smith said this helped him become a musician. He moved to California to follow his music dreams.

Music Career Highlights

Joining the Red Hot Chili Peppers

In 1988, the Red Hot Chili Peppers needed a new drummer. Smith was the last person to audition. The band was very impressed by his drumming. Singer Anthony Kiedis liked Smith's strong playing.

Smith joined the Chili Peppers in December 1988. He recorded his first album with them, Mother's Milk, in 1989. He has recorded ten albums with the band since then. Their most recent album, Return of the Dream Canteen, came out in 2022.

Chad Smith's Bombastic Meatbats

In 2007, Smith formed an instrumental band. It was inspired by 1970s funk and fusion music. The band is called Chad Smith's Bombastic Meatbats. They have released two studio albums.

Chickenfoot Supergroup

After a long tour in 2008, the Red Hot Chili Peppers took a break. During this time, Smith joined the supergroup Chickenfoot. Other members include Sammy Hagar and Joe Satriani. The group has released two studio albums. Smith sometimes has to miss Chickenfoot tours because of his schedule with the Chili Peppers.

Other Exciting Projects

Smith performing in 2011

In 2010, Smith released Rhythm Train, a children's album. He made it with Dick Van Dyke and Leslie Bixler.

Smith launched a mobile app in 2012. It has a "Drummer GPS" section. This part of the app highlights drummers who influenced Smith. In 2013, he started his own podcast called In Conversation with Chad Smith. He interviews other musicians on the show.

Smith has played drums on many albums for other artists. He worked on Ozzy Osbourne's albums Ordinary Man (2020) and Patient Number 9 (2022). He also played on Iggy Pop's 2023 album, Every Loser.

In 2017, Smith began hosting Landmarks Live in Concert. This PBS series features Smith talking with various artists about music. In 2018, he started a music radio talk show on SiriusXM called VOLUME West.

Smith played drums on the score for The Lego Batman Movie in 2017. He also performed on Post Malone's song "Take What You Want" in 2019. This song also featured Ozzy Osbourne and Travis Scott.

In 2021, Smith joined Post Malone, Slash, and others for a New Year's Eve livestream show. They performed songs by Black Sabbath and Alice In Chains. Smith also contributed to a charity album called The Metallica Blacklist. He backed Miley Cyrus on her cover of "Nothing Else Matters".

In March 2024, it was announced that Smith will appear as himself in Spinal Tap II. This is a sequel to the 1984 movie This is Spinal Tap. Smith also plays on a song from Lady Gaga's 2025 album Mayhem. He also plays on the 2025 album Who Believes in Angels? by Elton John and Brandi Carlile.

On July 5, 2025, Smith performed at "Back to the Beginning". This was a farewell concert for Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath. Smith played with a supergroup that included Tom Morello and Steven Tyler. He also had a drum battle with Travis Barker.

Drumming Style

Chad Smith's drumming is known for its use of ghost notes. These are very light drum hits that add to the rhythm. He is also known for his fast right foot technique.

He has been influenced by many famous drummers. These include Buddy Rich, John Bonham, Ian Paice, and Keith Moon.

Giving Back to the Community

Smith actively supports several non-profit groups. These include Surfer's Healing and Little Kids Rock. He has spoken about his work with these groups.

In 2013, Smith went to Washington, D.C. He spoke to leaders about supporting music education in public schools. He believes music helps students stay interested in school. He said, "Music was the only reason I wanted to go [to school]."

In 2014, Smith joined Bystander Revolution. This group works to stop bullying in schools. Smith shared his own experiences with bullying. He also talked about his son's experiences.

Smith appeared at a White House talent show in 2014. It was hosted by Michelle Obama. The show raised awareness for Turnaround Arts. This program uses arts education to help schools. Smith adopted a school in Greenfield, California. He also spoke to Speaker of the House John Boehner. He asked for more money for arts education.

Smith has also performed at charity concerts. In 2015, he played at Sammy Hagar and James Hetfield's Acoustic-4-A-Cure concert. This event raised money for a children's hospital. In 2016, he and actor Will Ferrell hosted a benefit show. It raised money for cancer charities and the Silverlake Conservatory of Music.

In 2018, Smith and Will Ferrell teamed up again. They raised money for Cancer for College. This charity provides scholarships for cancer survivors. In 2019, Smith and the Chili Peppers performed at a benefit. It helped victims of the Woolsey Fire in California.

Artistic Expression

In January 2020, Smith opened his first art exhibit. He creates art to express his feelings about playing drums and music. He enjoys trying new creative ways to express himself.

Personal Life

Family

Smith has been married twice. He has a daughter from his first marriage. In 2004, he married Nancy Mack. They have three sons together. The family lives in Malibu, California. He also has two other children.

Sports Fan

Smith is a big fan of sports teams from Michigan. He supports the NHL's Detroit Red Wings. He also loves the Los Angeles Dodgers. He often shows the Dodgers' logo on his drum kit. Smith and Flea have season tickets to the Los Angeles Rams football games.

Will Ferrell Resemblance

Smith is widely known for looking a lot like actor Will Ferrell. He has even worn shirts that say "I Am Not Will Ferrell." They first met in 2000. Smith and Ferrell have used their resemblance for charity events. They also had a drum battle on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in 2014. This was a funny moment that many people enjoyed.

In January 2025, a documentary about the Saturday Night Live "More Cowbell" skit was released. Will Ferrell wrote the skit. Chad Smith played the character of Gene Frenkle in newly filmed scenes for the documentary.

Shark Encounter

In 1992, Smith was scuba diving near Wakaya Island. He was attacked by a three-meter hammerhead shark. The shark tried to bite him. Smith fought it off. The shark took a small piece of skin from his arm.

Discography

Studio albums

• Mother's Milk (1989)
• Blood Sugar ... Magik (1991)
• One Hot Minute (1995)
• Californication (1999)
• By the Way (2002)
• Stadium Arcadium (2006)
• I'm with You (2011)
• The Getaway (2016)
• Unlimited Love (2022)
• Return of the Dream Canteen (2022)

EPs and live albums

• What Hits!? (1992)
• Out in L.A. (1994)
• Under the Covers: Essential Red Hot Chili Peppers (1998)
• Greatest Hits (2003)
• Live in Hyde Park (2004)
• 2011 Live EP (2012)
• Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Covers EP (2012)
• I'm with You Sessions (2013)
• I'm with You World Tour (2014)
• Cardiff, Wales: 6/23/04 (2015)
• Live in Paris (2016)

Glenn Hughes

• Songs in the Key of Rock (2003)
• Soulfully Live in the City of Angels (2004)
• Soul Mover (2005)
• Music for the Divine (2006)
• First Underground Nuclear Kitchen (2008)
• Resonate (2016)

Chickenfoot

• Chickenfoot (2009)
• Chickenfoot III (2011)

Chad Smith's Bombastic Meatbats

• Meet the Meatbats (2009)
• More Meat (2010)
• Live Meat And Potatoes (2012)

Joe Satriani

• What Happens Next (2018) (Smith performs drums on every track)

Josh Klinghoffer

• "Jeepster/Monolith" (2019) (Record Store Day exclusive 7" with Klinghoffer)

Ozzy Osbourne

• Ordinary Man (2020) (Smith performs drums on every track and co-wrote all of the songs)
• Patient Number 9 (2022) (Smith performs drums on every track and co-wrote nine songs)

Collaborative albums

• Rhythm Train with Leslie Bixler, Chad Smith and Featuring Dick Van Dyke – (2010)
• The Process, with Jon Batiste and Bill Laswell (2014)
• Earthling – Eddie Vedder (2021–2022) (Smith co-wrote the music in seven songs and performs the drums on nine tracks)

Other appearances

See also

In Spanish: Chad Smith para niños