The Red Hot Chili Peppers, against all odds, have become one of the most beloved bands in the world with their own unique brand of cosmic hard-core mayhem funk/punk. And for more than twenty years, Anthony Kiedis, the group’s lyricist and lead singer, has continually bared his soul in his lyrics and helped drive the band’s outrageous live shows. His ability to write lyrics by tapping into his most painful experiences while also expressing his views on a range of social and political issues has resonated with fans and critics alike for their emotional intensity, openhearted honesty, and pure, raw power.

But his extraordinary life has been a constant series of dizzying highs and crushing lows, all mired in a decades-long addiction to drugs. Now, in SCAR TISSUE (Hyperion; October 6, 2004; 24.95; Hardcover), Kiedis recounts his remarkable life story in an unflinching, painfully honest memoir. It is the story of a life lived on the razor’s edge—at times a dark and emotionally jarring journey into a world of drug abuse, meteoric success, and rock-star decadence that could be told only by a man who has headlined Woodstock and Lollapalooza, and shot speedballs with Mexican gangsters under a bridge in the barrio of Los Angeles. Brilliantly written and remarkably candid, SCAR TISSUE is far beyond a typical rock biography: it is a riveting account of one man’s passion for life, for music, and of a lifelong battle against the personal demons that nearly destroyed him.

“I’ve been able to channel my love for music and writing, and tap into the universal slipstream of creativity and spirituality, while writing and performing our own unique sonic stew,” Kiedis writes. “This is my account of those times, as well as the story of how a kid from Grand Rapids, Michigan migrated to Hollywood and found more than he could handle at the end of the rainbow.”

Kiedis begins by telling of his childhood growing up in a broken family and of his moving to Los Angeles at age 11 to live with his father—a drug-dealer to Hollywood’s elite and an ardent hippie who openly involved his son in his decadent lifestyle. By 13, Kiedis was fully immersed in L.A.’s drug scene: hanging out in nightclubs, hobnobbing with rock stars and celebrities who bought from his father, and getting a first-hand education in sex, pot, pills, and cocaine.

By the time Kiedis reached high school he had already developed a serious drug habit, though he still managed to get good grades. He bonded instantly with fellow classmates Mike Balzary (also known as Flea) and Hillel Slovak and spent much of his time with them getting high, listening to music, and writing poetry. After a brief acting career, and an even shorter stint at U.C.L.A, Kiedis became part of L.A.’s riotous punk scene. He could barely afford food and was often homeless, yet he always managed to beg, steal, or con his way into supporting his drug habit, which by now required daily injections of speed, cocaine, and heroin.

With a dead-end job and nothing more to look forward to than his next fix, Kiedis was going nowhere while Flea and Slovak were making waves in various punk bands. In 1983, when a friend suggested the three form their own band for a one-off show, Kiedis jumped at the chance. Inspired by the emergence of hip-hop, he was confident he could pull off the same style of writing and performing. The show was a success and even though they didn’t see the band as anything more than fun, within months they were playing all over L.A. and had gathered a steady following. They had also debuted their trademark stage gimmick—performing on stage naked, except for a tube sock covering a certain part of their anatomy.

Before long, they had a manager, a lawyer, and a record deal. The Red Hot Chili Peppers had been born and their incredible rise to megastardom had begun. Though success wasn’t instant, they quickly became known for both their stage antics and their powerfully charged live shows. Throughout SCAR TISSUE, Kiedis tells his own personal history with the band with remarkably vivid detail. He discusses their early days when his drug problem nearly derailed their first album, the grueling road tours as they built their audience, and the devastating drug-related death of Hillel Slovak. He also discusses how each Chili Pepper record came to be, revealing the inspiration behind many of their songs, their unique writing techniques, and how they made endless decisions on production, promotion, and marketing.

With remarkable candor, Kiedis also discusses how the band’s success intensified his battle with drugs, including a near six-year stretch of sobriety that ended after a trip to the dentist for a tooth extraction. He tells of his numerous attempts at rehab and how quickly he’d go back to the dealers. He chronicles the countless women who’ve been in and out of his life; some for love, some for sex, and others just for the drug money. Kiedis also discusses a spiritual journey that took him to India, Borneo, Thailand and New Zealand, and his personal philosophy on life, love, and the strains and joys of success. SCAR TISSUE is also a fascinating, insider’s look at the music scene of the 1980’s and 90’s, as Kiedis offers numerous stories on the celebrities, bands, and musicians he’s known personally including Jane’s Addiction, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, and Smashing Pumpkins.

At turns both harrowing and compelling, SCAR TISSUE is a remarkable tale of depravity and redemption. Kiedis opens his heart and bares his soul, giving readers a truly genuine account of the struggles, successes, and relationships that have shaped who he is as a person and as an artist. Kiedis is currently clean once again, working harder than ever to maintain his sobriety while the Chili Peppers remain one of the world’s hottest bands. Yet, despite the pain his drug addiction has caused for the better part of his life, Kiedis has an unusually positive perspective on it all. “I don’t believe that drug addiction is inherently bad,” Kiedis writes. “It’s a really dark and heavy and destructive experience, but would I trade my experience for that of a normal person? Hell no. There is nothing that hurts as bad, but I wouldn’t trade it for a minute. It’s that appreciation of every emotion in the spectrum that I live for.”

About the Authors
Anthony Kiedis is the lead singer of the rock group The Red Hot Chili Peppers, one of the most beloved bands in the world. Anthony lives in the Los Angeles, CA area.

Larry “Ratso” Sloman, who collaborated with Howard Stern on Private Parts and Miss America, is the author of five other books, including On the Road with Bob Dylan. He lives in New York City.

SCAR TISSUE
By Anthony Kiedis
Published by Hyperion
Publishing Date: October 5, 2004