At first glance, an upcoming tribute concert for Neil Young, featuring performances by David Crosby, Graham Nash, Stephen Stills, Jackson Browne, Wilco, Dave Matthews, and a couple other acts we wouldn’t be surprised to see at Farm Aid, doesn’t really constitute “big news.” I mean it does for me, but Neil Young is one of my top three guitar slingers of all time, so there’s that. But there’s one more act on the bill which is not like the others (i.e. on tour all the time): Red Hot Chili Peppers.
We already knew that RHCP have awoken from their self-imposed hiatus, are recording their 10th LP, and Flea has been busy with Thom Yorke, the Pixies, and Weird Al of late, but their scheduled performance for Neil Young’s MusiCares Person of the Year award show will mark the band’s first post-hiatus concert, as well.
Sure, Chad Smith and Flea showed up for Anthony Kiedis’ MusiCares honors earlier this year, but what about John Frusciante?
According to a press release that went out today, the Chili Peppers (presumably their most recent Californication lineup) will be present for the gig, which goes down on Jan. 29 of next year. Oh, and Emmylou Harris, Norah Jones, K.D. Lang, Mellencamp, James Taylor, Ozomatli, and Everest will also be there.