Peppers sprinkle spice on LV party

Tuesday, April 12, 2005 | 8:12 a.m.

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman on Monday unveiled the internationally acclaimed mystery band that will highlight a free centennial concert in Las Vegas on July 2.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers, who have won two Grammy Awards and sold more than 40 million records since forming in the late '70s, will perform in a parking lot concert to be held west of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

In his typically hyperbolic fashion, Goodman said during a news conference held Monday morning in the parking lot where the concert will be held:

"What a great Las Vegas day this is -- it gets no better. The weather is absolutely gorgeous, the ladies (two showgirls flanking him) are absolutely beautiful and the announcement we are about to make is absolutely magnificent.

"There is only one city in the world able to put on the kind of party we will put on July 2 -- it will be the essence of what Las Vegas is about: The Entertainment Capital of the World.

"It gets no better than this."

Gates will open at 5 p.m. and the concert will last until 11:30 p.m.

More than 50,000 fans are expected to attend the event, one of several planned by the city for the Fourth of July weekend.

For details about the Las Vegas Centennial and all of the events taking place during 2005, visit www.lasvegas2005.org.

Even though the Red Hot Chili Peppers concert is free, you must have a ticket to enter.

The tickets will be released April 18 at the Web site www.vegasrocks100.com. The limit is four to a customer.

"We really hit the big time," Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith joked. "When you're picked to play in the parking lot, you know you've hit it big."

Smith and bassist Michael "Flea" Balzary were the only two members of the three-man alternative rock group to show up. Not present was singer Anthony Kiedis.

"The other bandmates were going to come," Balzary said, "But they are so handsome and smart and other-worldly, if they make a public appearance they make other people feel bad about themselves -- so they send Chad and I because we are more homely."

The concert will be produced by Clear Channel Entertainment Properties.

"We were challenged by the mayor to throw one of the greatest birthday parties anyone could throw," Clear Channel president Bruce Eskowitz said. "I think we've secured the greatest American rock band."

Eskowitz said the Red Hot Chili Peppers "embody the spice of what we are trying to accomplish."

The alternative-rock band Weezer will open for the Chili Peppers.

Eskowitz said more groups may be added to the lineup.

Chili Peppers' hits include "Californication" (five times platinum), "Scar Tissue," "Otherside," "Blood Sugar Sex Magik," "Give It Away" and "Under the Bridge."

The band's most recent studio album, "By the Way," was released in 2002, and peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard charts.