Really on an RHCP kick lately since their 4 song performance at the Fire Aid benefit show.  

Stern gets Anthony Kiedis to talk a bit about the darkness of the tune Under The Bridge.  While Kiedis never comes out and says it, according to Wikipedia, Under The Bridge is about being so strung out on heroin and coke that Kiedis ventured into L.A. gang territory to score, "under a bridge".  Talk about turning something scary into something beautiful.  Kiedis has been clean for 37 years now.

I've decided that these guys deserve a lot more time in my stereo.  I already have Californication (1999, a masterpiece IMO), the very funk heavy Blood Sugar Sex Magic (1991, features Under The Bridge and was the record that thrust them to stardom), One Hot Minute (1995, nothing to write home about).  Stadium Arcadium just came in the mail yesterday and I can't wait to explore it.  A double album, Kiedis said when it was released in 2006, "It's the best thing we've ever done."  I'm a bit late to the game, obviously.

For me, what sets RHCP apart is their writing.  There are a lot of bands around featuring  great musicians, and RHCP certainly are.  But they've come up with SO much classic material over the course of a career that goes all the way back to 1982.