In 1985 Jack Sherman is fired and Hillel Slovak returns for the follow up album Freaky Styley which is produced by the master of funk himself, George Clinton. After touring, Cliff Martinez leaves and Jack Irons rejoins the group. The original lineup together again, the Red Hot Chili Peppers gain much deserved recognition for their live performances and The Uplift Mofo Party Plan (produced by Michael Beinhorn) is released in September 1987. This would be the first Chili Pepper Album to fair better commercially and was the first release to chart (#148 on Billboard).

The Abbey Road E.P. was released in May 1988, followed by the untimely and tragic death of guitarist Hillel Slovak in June. A devastated Anthony Kiedis retreated to Mexico before entering rehab. Subsequently, Flea worked on side projects and Jack Irons quit the band altogether - he was temporarily replaced by Dead Kennedys' drummer DH Peligro. In addition, Guitarist Duane "Blackbird" McKnight briefly joins the band. It seemed to be the beginning of the end for the Red Hot Chili Peppers . . .

In September, bassist Flea and his wife Loesha welcome daughter Clara. Determined that the Red Hot Chili Peppers go on, Anthony and Flea make the decision to regroup. Jack Irons is replaced by drummer Chad Smith and the world is introduced to young guitarist John Frusciante who fills the empty space left by Hillel. (Frusciante had been a long time Pepper fan and later became friends with the guys. Anthony and Flea had accompanied him on an audition for Thelonious Monster and when the audition was over John found himself a member of the Chili Peppers.) The rest as they say is history, well, almost . . .
 

On August 16, 1989, Mother's Milk is released. Produced by Michael Beinhorn, it is considered the Peppers breakthrough album and includes eleven original tracks and two covers: Stevie Wonder's 'Higher Ground' (which won a Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance With Vocal at the 35th Annual Grammy Awards) and Jimi Hendrix's 'Fire'. The Chili Peppers tour and on March 29, 1990 Mother's Milk is certified gold.

Parting from EMI, the Chili Peppers sign with Warner Brothers records and on September 24,1991, Blood Sugar Sex Magik is released. Produced by Rick Rubin, BSSM includes the hits Breaking the Girl, the very personal ballad Under the Bridge (certified gold May 27, 1992), and Give It Away. With over 3 million copies sold Blood Sugar Sex Magik is certified gold on November 26, 1991, and the album remains on the Billboard charts for over a year. The video for Give It Away wins the MTV Music Video Award for both Breakthrough Video and Best Art Direction in a Video.

With the world tour a sellout, the Red Hot Chili Peppers find themselves firmly entrenched in the mainstream. All seemed to be going well until May when during the Asian leg of the tour John Frusciante abruptly quit. Arik Marshall is recruited to play the rest of the tour; after Lollapalooza he is replaced by Jesse Tobias.

The release of the compilation What Hits!? on September 21, 1992 sparks rumors of a breakup but then the single "Soul To Squeeze" (from the Coneheads soundtrack) is released in 1993 and former Janes Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro joins the group. At the 35th Annual Grammy Awards on February 24, 1993, the Red Hot Chili Peppers receive their Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance With Vocal for 1992's - "Give It Away" and in 1994 they play at Woodstock and headline the first day of the Reading Festival. In November 1994, the compilation Out In L.A. is released. Working solo, John Frusciante releases Niandra Ladies and Usually Just A T-Shirt (1994).

On September 12, 1995 One Hot Minute is finally released and on November 16, 1995 it's certified platinum.

In 1996 the Chili Peppers hit it big again with the cover of Ohio Players "Love Rollercoaster" ( from the Beavis & Butthead soundtrack) and Flea is named Bass Player of the Year. More happiness follows on March 3, 1996 when Manon St. John is born to Chad Smith and his wife Maria. John Frusciante's second solo album, Smile From the Streets You Hold is released in 1997. With his heroin addiction now seemingly life threatening, friends persuade John to enter rehab.

For the Chili Peppers, once again rumors of a breakup spread and both Anthony and Chad are involved in motorcycle accidents; Anthonys accident being the more serious requires surgery to repair the damage. In April 1998 the announcement is made that Dave Navarro is leaving the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Now drug free, John is asked to rejoin the group and fans are elated to hear of his return. The reunited lineup played their first show together on June 12, 1998 at the 9:30 club - a local favorite in the DC metro area. The guys then played at the Tibetan Freedom Concert (PSINet - Baltimore, Maryland) on Saturday. With the magik back, Californication was released on June 8, 1999, and the group was honored at the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards on February 23, 2000 with Best Rock Song for 1999 - "Scar Tissue".

On February 13, 2001 John Frusciante's third solo album To Record Only Water for Ten Days was released. To many, it is considered his best solo work to date. The Red Hot Chili Peppers were nominated for 2000 Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with vocal and Best Rock Song (Californication) at the 43rd Annual Grammy Awards February 21, 2001

The Red Hot Chili Peppers regrouped to record their most most successful album to date. By The Way was released to the world on July 8th, 2002 to many 5 * reviews and critical acclaim. It has gone on to top album charts in multiple countries and looks set to outsell Californication. The album's singles were By The Way, The Zephyr Song, Can't Stop and Universally Speaking.