Former Red Hot Chili Peppers producer Michael Beinhorn has claimed that vocalist Anthony Kiedis is effectively tone deaf, describing the issue as a genuine difficulty with hearing pitch rather than a stylistic choice.
Beinhorn made the remarks during a recent Reddit AMA, responding to a fan who praised “Knock Me Down”, the second single from the band’s 1989 album Mother’s Milk. The fan also asked why guitarist John Frusciante handled much of the song’s vocal presence and whether the track — written as a tribute to late guitarist Hillel Slovak — had alternate versions.
According to Beinhorn, Frusciante’s vocal prominence was largely practical.
“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 sing it.”
Beinhorn added that Frusciante idolized Slovak, who died in 1988 from an accidental heroin overdose, further justifying his central role in the track. He also said he doesn’t believe a longer version of “Knock Me Down” exists beyond what appeared on the album.
The producer went on to describe tension surrounding the finished record, claiming Kiedis had not attended many of the guitar sessions and reacted poorly when hearing the final mixes for the first time.
“He freaked out — not in a good way. I think the band kind of disowned the record because of this.”
Mother’s Milk marked a transitional era for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, introducing Frusciante while helping push the band toward the more melodic approach that would later define their mainstream breakthrough.
Following his work with the band on Mother’s Milk and The Uplift Mofo Party Plan, Beinhorn went on to produce albums for artists including Ozzy Osbourne, Soundgarden, Korn, and Marilyn Manson.
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