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UCLA Rocks! The 10 Best Bruin musical acts/artists of all-time

By Mike Regalado

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 09: Bassist Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers performs the national anthem before the game between the Arizona Wildcats and the UCLA Bruins at Pauley Pavilion on January 9, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 09: Bassist Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers performs the national anthem before the game between the Arizona Wildcats and the UCLA Bruins at Pauley Pavilion on January 9, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /
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3. Red Hot Chili Peppers

Forming from the ideals of the Grateful Dead, George Clinton and the L.A. punk scene, the Red Hot Chili Peppers blend of soul, funk, punk, and rock have made them one of the more influential bands to come out of Southern California.

RHCP did not form until 1983 but the origins date back a few years before that when Michigan transplant Anthony Keidis, and local L.A. boys Flea and Hillel Slovak met at Fairfax High School, just a few miles east of UCLA. The three friends, who were often pegged as social outcasts, bonded over mischief, music, and drugs during their high school experience.

"Scar tissue that I wish you saw Sarcastic mister know-it-all Close your eyes and I’ll kiss you ’cause With the birds I’ll share"

Excerpt from “Scar Tissue” from the album Californication

Despite his perceived journey down a bad road, Keidis maintained his grades and was accepted to UCLA in 1980. Unfortunately, his experiments with drug usage got the best of him and he had to drop out during his sophomore year. Still, Keidis, Flea, and Slovak continued to bond over music and eventually formed RHCP.

Since then the band has gone through major lineup changes which included the entrance and exit of several highly recognizable musicians such as D.H. Peligro (Dead Kennedys), Jack Irons (Pearl Jam), Keith Morris (Black Flag), John Frusciante, and Dave Navarro (Jane’s Addiction).

The Peppers are also huge sports fans, often appearing at Los Angeles Lakers games (RHCP have a song called “Magic Johnson” on their album Mother’s Milk). They are also big fans of UCLA basketball. Flea had even performed the National Anthem at the first game of the newly renovated Pauley Pavilion on November 9, 2012. It was also fitting that he wore a shirt that stated, “Free Shabazz Muhammad”.