Metal Anarchy

During a recent Reddit AMA, producer Michael Beinhorn claimed Red Hot Chili Peppers singer Anthony Kiedis is actually “tone deaf.” He made the revelation while discussing “Knock Me Down.”

Beinhorn had the following exchange with a fan regarding the aforementioned song:

Fan: “‘Knock Me Down’ is one of my favourite songs by RHCP. I have a few questions about it. I love your work, my questions come from a place a pure curiosity

How did the members react to the final product? It is their first song like THAT. Melodic, controlled, emotional. It must have been something big for them

I don’t know how else to ask this, sorry. Why did John sing in that song? I know originally it was him and Anthony singing lead vocals, but ‘Knock Me Down’ being a requiem for Hillel, why not only Anthony, the deceased’s best friend?

Why did the long version of ‘Knock Me Down” not make on the album? Was it just too long? Too repetitive? Something else?

I know next to nothing about how to produce or mix an album. I’m sorry (again), but: how does a mistake like almost completely muting Anthony in the final remix happen?”

Michael Beinhorn: “Don’t sweat it, your questions are valid. I’m glad you love ‘Knock Me Down’ so much- it was a major departure from the RHCP sound up till that point. John sang the song (or rather, his voice was louder in the mix) because the song was melodic and Anthony was/is tone-deaf (ie- he can’t hear pitch). At any rate, John essentially wrote the song, including the melody, so it wasn’t entirely inappropriate for him to song it (plus he somewhat idolized Hillel). I might be missing something but I don’t think there’s a longer version of ‘Knock Me Down’ than what’s on the record (of course, this is stuff that happened almost 40 years ago, so I may be forgetting something). As for how the band reacted to the final product…well…I never found out what they thought of the final mix. However, when I finally played Anthony the tracks with the finished guitars on them for the first time (he hadn‘t been to any of the sessions up till then), he freaked out- not in a good way. I think the band kind of disowned the record because of this.”