This Day In Music History: Chili Peppers Release ‘By The Way’ (VIDEO)

The Red Hot Chili Peppers released their eighth studio album, By the Way on July 9, 2002. It peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200, and went on to sell over 9 million copies worldwide. The album featured the singles: "By the Way", "The Zephyr Song", "Can't Stop", "Dosed" and "Universally Speaking".

By the Way, which was produced by long-time collaborator Rick Rubin, was the follow-up to 1999's blockbuster, Californication. By The Way was the second album the band had done with John Frusciante since his return to the band (he had previously been a member from 1988 - 1992), and the music would be greatly shaped and influenced by the guitarist . The songs were largely a departure from their punk/funk they had become known for playing.

There were some issues in Pepper-land around the time of the album.  Bassist Flea felt that Frusciante was trying to take over the band, and even contemplated quitting before the two were able to iron out their differences.  14 years later, Flea is still in the band and they just released another album, The Getaway in June 2016.  Frusciante left the band in 2009 and was replaced by current guitarist Josh Klinghoffer.

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