Chadwick "Chad" Gaylord Smith Medjuck (born October 25, 1961) is an American musician, best known as the longtime and current drummer of Red Hot Chili Peppers whom he joined in 1988. Smith is also the drummer of the hard rock band Chickenfoot. Smith has also worked with Deep Purple vocalist Glenn Hughes' backing band and in 2010 Smith released a children's record, Rhythm Train which he recorded with legend, Dick Van Dyke, and Leslie Bixler. In April 2010 MTV named Rhythm Train one of the best children's records of all time. In addition to Smith's bands, Smith is one of the most highly sought after session drummers and has recorded with many other musicians including, The Avett Brothers, ZZ Top, The Dixie Chicks, Kid Rock, George Clinton, Brandi Carlile, Outernational and appeared on the 2013 release by Steve Lukather. In 2009 Musicrader named Smith the 6th Greatest Drummer of All Time. Smith was also ranked #87 on Rolling Stone list of "100 Greatest Drummers of All time". He entered the Guinness book of the world records for playing the world's largest drum kit consisting of 308 pieces. In March 2012 Modern Drummer named Smith #2 on its list of best living drummers. Smith, along with his Red Hot Chili Peppers bandmates, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 14, 2012. Biography edit: Smith was born Chad Smith on October 25, 1961 in Saint Paul, Minnesota but spent most of his childhood in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan where he attended Andover High School and graduated from Lahser High School in 1980. Following high school, Smith spent his time playing in many local bands and the local club scene. It wasn't until 1988 when Smith decided to fly to California to visit his brother that his life changed. While in California, Smith was one of the last drummers to audition for the vacant spot left open by D.H. Peligro in the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Smith completely blew the other three band members away with his aggressive drumming, although Smith's personal style and background of hard rock and motorcycles didn't completely mesh with the other three, who came from a punk rock background. Singer Anthony Kiedis hired Smith to be in the band although he insisted that he needed to get rid of his bandana and long hair. The following day, Smith showed up for another audition wearing the same bandana and sporting the same long hair. Kiedis admired Smith and found his persistence pretty impressive."Scar Tissue", Anthony Kiedis with Larry Sloman, 2004, Time Warner Books Smith joined the Chili Peppers in December 1988 and within a few months was recording his first album with the band, Mother's Milk. Smith reflected on joining the band in a 2012 interview by saying "I remember thinking, 'Oh, cool, they have a record deal. Great! I'd love to be in a band that has a record deal. We started playing, and right away we just hit it off musically. I was like, 'Man, this is a blast! These guys are great!' ... We were just doing what we do. We just jammed, which is what we still do today. It's very similar." In 2008, during a break for the Chili Peppers, Smith joined the hard rock supergroup Chickenfoot. The group has released two albums to date. Smith along with musician Leslie Bixler released a children's album titled Rhythm Train in 2010. The album also featured legendary actor, Dick Van Dyke. In 2011, due to touring commitments with the Chili Peppers, Smith was unable to tour with Chickenfoot and was replaced by Kenny Aronoff although Smith still remains a member of the band and plans to record more music with them during the next break away from the Chili Peppers. In August 2011, the Chili Peppers released I'm with You, their tenth studio album, seventh with Smith. The band expects to be on the road until at least 2013 supporting the album although Smith said a new album isn't expected until at least late 2013. In April 2012, the band was inducted by Chris Rock into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. On May 16, 2012, Smith rejoined Chickenfoot for a four song encore at the Orpheum in Boston, MA. In March of 2012, Smith released The Chad Smith Drum App which is free mobile application for iPhone, iPad and Android devices and features his "Drummer GPS." The GPS section of the app spotlights drummers Smith has been influenced by and those he regards as some of the best drummers around today. The Chad Smith Drum App has received great praise from both fans and from fellow drummers. Smith and the Chili Peppers will wrap up their I'm With You World Tour in April 2013. The band will take a break before writing music for their eleventh studio album, which Smith said will be around September 2013. Personal life edit: On May 8, 2004 in Hopetown, Abaco, Bahamas, Smith got married for the second time to architect Nancy Mack. They have three sons together. Smith has 3 other children from previous relationships; daughter Manon St. John Smith with first wife, Maria St. John, daughter Ava Smith, and son Justin Smith. Smith is a diehard Detroit Tigers, Detroit Red Wings and U of M Wolverines fan, loves playing golf, riding motorcycles, surfing and watching Saturday Night Live. He bears a striking resemblance to actor Will Ferrell and has acknowledged the resemblance in various interviews. Smith regularly contributes to many non profit organizations including: MusiCares, Surfer's Healing, an organization which provides aid to children facing Autism, Right Turn in Boston, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Children's Hospitals across the United States and Camp Korey, which is one of Paul Newman's Hole in the Wall Camps for children with serious illness. As of March 19 and 20, 2013, Smith has joined NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) to lobby leaders in Washington, D.C. on the importance of comprehensive music education in public schools across the country. Equipment edit: Chad's Pearl Acrylic kit: 12x8 tom, 14x14 floor tom, 16x16 floor tom, 24x16 kick drum, 14×5 Pearl Ultracast Snare or a 14x6 Pearl Sensitone Elite, 14x6 Acrylic Free Floating snare (auxiliary snare), Note: Chad rarely uses his signature snare. Sabian cymbals: 14" AAX-Celerator Hats, 21" AA Rock Ride, 20" AA Rock Crash, 19" AA Rock Crash, 21" AA Holy China, 10" AAX Splash, Vater Percussion sticks: Chad Smith Funk Blaster, Pearl hardware: C1000 straight stand x 5, P2000C bass drum pedal, H2000 hi-hat stand, S2000 snare stand, D1000S throne, T2000 double tom stand, B1000 boom stand, AX20 adapter, Remo drumheads: Clear Powerstroke 4 (Bass Drum Batter): 24", Clear Emperor (Bass Drum Resonant): 24", Clear Controlled Sound(Tom Batters):12", 14", 16", Clear Ambassador (Tom Resonants): 12", 14", 16", Coated Controlled Sound X (Snare Batter): 14", Ambassador Hazy (Snare Side): 14", Coated Ambassador (Auxiliary Snare Batter): 14", Gon Bops Percussion: Red Rock Cowbell, Jam Block

Source: Wikipedia

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