My friend Renee recently told me about a band she used to follow (sometimes literally — oh, Renee!) during her heyday in Detroit in the '80s called Toby Redd. I was interested to learn that the band's drummer, Chad Smith (third from left), went on to become a member of megaband Red Hot Chili Peppers and supergroup Chickenfoot. It's always interesting to see the humble beginnings of a great musician, and Toby Redd had — and probably still has — quite the following. They're definitely the epitome of an '80s rock band, which doesn't offend me in the least.
Check out Smith and the rest of Toby Redd rocking Motor City during the band's glory days after the jump.
This article appears in Oct 29 – Nov 4, 2009.