Anthony Kiedis Anthony Kiedis is the front man and lyricist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, one of today's most successful rock bands. The band’s lineup has gone through many changes throughout the years as the band has explored several different musical styles. Rap, funk, rock, metal, and melodic ballads have all been featured sounds. The band has worked with respected producers including George Clinton and Rick Rubin. Kiedis has had problems with drug addiction in the past and his band mate, Hillel Slovak, died from a drug overdose. The current line up is Kiedis on vocals, John Frusciante on guitar, Flea on bass, and drummer, Chad Smith. Anthony Kiedis was born in 1962 in Michigan and moved to California when he was eleven years old. He went to live with his father, John Kiedis (a.k.a. Blackie Dammett), who worked as an actor. Sonny Bono is Anthony’s godfather. Anthony and Flea founded the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1983, influenced by Stevie Wonder and Sly Stone. The band didn’t get much attention until the release of their fourth album, Mother’s Milk, in 1989. The Red Hot Chili Peppers then released a fifth album, titled Blood Sugar Sex Magik. This was a huge hit and turned Anthony Kiedis and his colleagues into rock stars. The band showed they could perform classic ballads too, with the single, “Under the Bridge.” Their albums, Californication and By The Way also contained more mellow tracks, and less of the earlier funk style. The single, “Scar Tissue” from Californication, is also the title of Anthony’s autobiography. In 2006, the band released their ninth studio album, Stadium Arcadium.
The band has covered several versions of songs by artists that Anthony Kiedis and the others admire, reflecting their versatile musical tastes. Covered artists include Iggy Pop, James Brown, Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Donna Summer, Bob Marley, and Paul Simon. They performed “Fire” by Jimi Hendrix at the 1999 Woodstock Festival. Rain Phoenix was once a member of the backing musicians on tour with the Red Hot Chili Peppers. She has also worked as an actress and is the sister of the late actor, River Phoenix. One of the band’s tracks called “Transcending” is dedicated to River Phoenix. Anthony Kiedis has also had some small parts in the movies. In 1978, he appeared in F.I.S.T. The story was about the Teamsters Union and starred Sylvester Stallone. Rod Steiger and Peter Boyle also featured. In 1991, Anthony played a surfer in the bank robbing gang in the movie, Point Break. It starred Keanu Reeves, Patrick Swayze, and Gary Busey. Both Anthony and Flea had small roles in the action film, The Chase in 1994. It starred Charlie Sheen and Kristy Swanson. The RHCP also appeared as themselves in the 1986 movie, Tough Guys. Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas play two career criminals, planning one last job.
Anthony Kiedis is said to be dating Heather Christie. His previous relationships have included Heidi Klum, Jaime Rishar, Yohanna Logan, and Jessica Stam. He has also dated high profile celebrities, including Sinead O Conner, Ione Skye, Demi Moore, and Sofia Coppola. YUDDY |
