A compilation image of Chad Smith watching a drummer perform with the words 'Who wants to tell him?'
The drummer had a very apt audience member while performing (Picture: @joeymccarthyy/TikTok)

A busker belted out their best rendition of a Red Hot Chili Peppers without realising a member of the band was watching them do it.

In a video shared to TikTok and liked more than 8.4 million times, a drummer can be seen playing the band’s smash hit single Otherside from the multi-platinum 1999 album Californication.

But what the musician didn’t know is that Chad Smith, the band’s very own drummer, was watching and seemingly enjoying the performance.

The video zooms in on Smith, 63, as he taps his feet and nods his head to the rendition of one of his own hit songs while the drummer is lost in the performance, not reacting to Smith’s presence.

Sharing the video to the social media platform, user Joey McCarthy captioned the video: ‘Imagine shooting hoops in front if Michael Jordan and not even realizing it?’

He also wrote ‘Who wants to tell him?’ over the original video, referencing the unbelievable turn of events unfolding.

@joeymccarthyy

imagine shooting hoops in front if Michael Jordan and not even realizing it? #redhotchilipeppers#chadsmith#drummer

♬ original sound – Joey McCarthy

A drummer performing in front of Chad Smith on a street
A busker was videoed performing a Red Hot Chili Peppers song in public (Picture: @joeymccarthyy/TikTok)

Chad Smith sitting on railings watching a performance. He is wearing grey jeans with a black graphic t-shirt and a white cap with black sunglasses
The performance was witnessed by none other than Chad Smith (Picture: @joeymccarthyy/TikTok)

Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers playing the drums
Smith has drummed for the band since 1988 (Picture: Jeremychanphotography/Getty Images)

Fans were falling over themselves in shock over the video, with many praising Smith for sitting and enjoying the musician’s hard work.

‘The fact that Chad Smith is just sitting there vibing is just about the biggest compliment you could ask for bro good job,’ Jarred Collins wrote.

Angela agreed, saying: ‘Chad Smith is an excellent drummer himself so to see him bobbing his head while you play the drums is the biggest compliment.’

Mark D. Fairchild added: ‘Chad Smith just vibing and enjoying someone enjoy playing. 10/10.’

Many joked that they thought it was Will Ferrell watching the performance due to his likeness to Smith, while others complimented the musician on how well they executed the song.

‘Bro has one man listening but still the biggest audience,’ ColourfulFlamingo said.

A drummer performing in the street. He is wearing grey cargo trousers with a white t-shirt and a black cap
The drummer took to TikTok to explain how he didn’t notice the music icon watching him (Picture: @joeymccarthyy/TikTok)

Red Hot Chili Peppers members Flea, Anthony Kiedis, Chad Smith, and John Frusciante posing on the set of the Howard Stern Show
The Red Hot Chili Peppers are one of the best-selling bands of all time (Picture: Anna Webber/Getty Images for SiriusXM)

In the comments, McCarthy revealed that he later told the musician that Smith had been watching his performance and showed him the video.

The drummer later revealed themselves to be street performer Armond Davies, who made his own TikTok video commenting on the chance meeting.

‘I played at least five songs back-to-back and I got zero attention,’ he began.

‘So after a little I just zoned out into the music. By the time I was halfway done with Otherside I realised somebody was sitting in front of me and he had really good energy.

‘He was bobbing his head and I could tell he had to be a drummer because he had good subdivision with his feet. He looked familiar but I just couldn’t quite put my finger on it at the time.’

Red Hot Chili Peppers – made up of Smith, Anthony Kiedis, Flea, and John Frusciante – formed in 1982 and are one of the top-selling bands of all time, holding the rold the records for most number-one singles at 15.

They have won three Grammy Awards as well as being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

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