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Anthony Kiedis (/ˈkiːdɪs/) is an American singer, rapper, and songwriter, best known for both singing and rapping in Red Hot Chili Peppers, as well as being a co-songwriter of the band. He has fronted the band since their inception in 1983.

He is one of the four co-founders of the band, and has participated in the recording of all thirteen studio albums of the band. He, along with his other fellow band members, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012. In 2004, he published his autobiography, titled Scar Tissue, which became a New York Times Best Seller.

He and Flea are the only remaining original band members of the band in the current lineup.

Biography[]

Early Life[]

Kiedis was born on February 3, 1962 in a small house on a hilltop in Grand Rapids, Michigan, conceived by parents whom he said were chosen by a higher power. Two hippies, John Michael Kiedis and Peggy Nobel, a drug dealer and a not very successful director and an American dream girl - such a union largely predetermined the fate of little Tony.

The boy was first intoxicated by the smell of marijuana at the age of 4, at the age of 12 he tried his first joint, and at 14 he learned what hard drugs were. Shortly before his 12th birthday, Anthony lost his virginity to one of his father's many girlfriends, and at the age of 15 he proposed marriage to The Blondie vocalist Debbie Harry.

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Anthony with his father, 1970s

Such a turbulent youth began for Kiedis at the age of 11 after moving to his father in California, a place with which he instantly fell in love. Before that, he lived with his mother, engaged in school hooliganism, amused himself by playing spin the bottle, was class president, helped the disabled and dreamed of going to his dad. At that time, John Kiedis was building an acting and directing career with varying success, selling drugs, not depriving himself of them, and hanging out in the Hollywood crowd with Led Zeppelin and The Who.

Anthony was close to devoting his life to cinema: his father’s acquaintances took him to castings, and as a result his filmography includes six films, in one of which he starred in a scene with Sylvester Stallone under the pseudonym Cole Dammet.

Founding of Red Hot Chili Peppers[]

Only after drugs and lifestyle decided for him that he was finished with his studies at the University, he realized that music was exactly what could get him high no worse than cocaine and heroin. He joined the group Anthym, which included his school friends Michael Balzary (nicknamed "Flea"), Jack Irons and Hillel Slovak, and became its frontman. By his own admission, Anthony was not a vocalist, he was more of a dancer, jumping maniacally on the dance floors of Los Angeles clubs (for which he came up with the nickname “Swan”, because his dancing was far from ballet). But he found the perfect way out of the situation by translating his poems into rap. Therefore, the first song then Anthym “Out in L.A.” featured funk-inspired bass and guitar solos and Kiedis rapping about "flamboyant friends and their wild nightlife scenes."

The audience of thirty people was completely delighted after the group's performance and certainly wanted to see and hear them again. After the second concert, the musicians began to think about a cool name. After going through many options, they came up with The Red Hot Chili Peppers. (They officially had "The" as part of their name at the time. They later officially dropped the word "The" from their name, temporarily reading it for the album One Hot Minute.)

1983-1987[]

RHCP finally signed a deal with EMI for their first album, produced by Andy Gill. Soon Irons and Slovak left the team - they decided to take up more serious music. Instead of them came drummer K. Martinez and guitarist D. Sherman. The new team did not work as well as the first team. The newcomers constantly argued with Anthony and Flea. They didn't like the style of the music being performed, its sound, or the entire album. The band members constantly came into conflict with producers who tried to fit them into modern musical fashion. in 1984 the group released the album Red Hot Chili Peppers, in 1985 - Freaky Styley, in 1987 - The Uplift Mofo Party Plan. Album sales were low - fans preferred the band's "punk" performances rather than listen to albums killed by the producers' desire to make money.

1988-1990[]

In 1988, Hillel Slovak dies of a heroin overdose. As his brother mentions, the day after his death he called him. Hillel's voice sounded doomed, and the conversation ended with the phrase "I love you, brother."

Anthony did not attend Hillel's funeral. He used heroin while feeling incredibly sad after the death of his best friend. Soon, Jack Irons leaves the group. Only Anthony and Flea remain in it. Soon, the group began searching for a guitarist and drummer. The contender for the role of guitarist was an 18-year-old guy named John Frusciante. He was a Red Hot Chili Peppers fan, and was indirectly acquainted with Hillel Slovak - they spoke to him twice at the band's concert.

…Hillel asked me, “Will you still like the band if they become so popular that they play at the Forum?” I replied: “No. It will ruin everything that's cool about the group. It's great to watch the band: the audience feels the music, there is no difference, everyone is as one. There was a historic atmosphere in the air, nothing disappointed, the sound carried through the audience with everyone jumping and it was impossible to sit in your seat. I couldn't even watch the show. It was an exciting moment because I always wanted to do something, break something or turn it over. I really felt like I was part of the group, and all the people in the room were also like one.”

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(from left to right) Chad Smith, Flea, Anthony Kiedis, John Frusciante

As Frusciante himself said, when they called him with an offer to join the group, he “jumped for joy”. Soon, he became the band's new guitarist. Chad Smith became the drummer. While auditioning for the band, Anthony asked Chad to change his hairstyle. At the time, Chad Smith had a long glam hairstyle. He showed up to his next audition with a bandana on his head. Appreciating this gesture, Anthony accepted him into the group.

Discography[]

With Red Hot Chili Peppers[]

Demos[]

Studio Albums[]

Live Albums[]

Live EPs[]

Guest Appearances[]

  • George Clinton - Hey Man, Smell My Finger (1993)

Videography[]

With Red Hot Chili Peppers[]

Live Home Videos[]

Tourography[]

With Red Hot Chili Peppers[]

Bibliography[]

Photo Gallery[]

References[]

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