Photo Courtesy of Brightside Media
Comedy man Will Ferrell threw the gauntlet down last night to let the world know he’s ready to prove himself as the greatest drummer of all time. His challenge? Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith who bears a striking resemblance to the Anchorman star. Last night on The Tonight Show, Ferrell told host Jimmy Fallon he wishes to start a rivalry “that could go until the end of time”
While both Smith and Ferrell have been active for decades, comparisons between the two hit surged after the Red Hot Chili Peppers performed at this past Super Bowl with Bruno Mars. During their performance Twitter went wild with confused assertions that Will Ferrell was the drummer for the Rap Rock icons. This led to a popular Funny or Die video debate over who the real Chad Smith is.
In actuality, Chad Smith has been a part of the Red Hot Chili Peppers ever since their big break Mothers Milk in 1989 and through megahits like Blood Sugar Sex Magik, Californication, and Stadium Arcadium. While Ferrell is known for his childish behavior, Smith is no stranger to the outlandish having danced around wearing only a sock on his privates with his other band mates.
I’m all for it. But unless Will’s been practicing or is secretly a crazy, wild drummer, I think it’ll be evident right off the bat who the real Chad Smith is,” Smith said to Rolling Stone. “I’m ready to take him down.”
The winner of the challenge will receive a giant cowbell, an obvious reference to Ferrel’s famous Blue Oyster Cult skit on Saturday night Live. Before this challenge the lookalikes had previously raised over $300,000 dollars for organizations Little Kids Rock and Cancer for College. In addition, memorabilia will be sold in the form of souvenir t shirts and cowbells with all proceeds going to the aforementioned philanthropies.
The date for the challenge is set this Thursday, May 22nd on The Tonight Show. It is sure to be an event that will draw in comedy fans as well as the Red Hot Chili Pepper faithful.