Anthony Kiedis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Anthony Kiedis
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Kiedis performing in 2022
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| Born | November 1, 1962 Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.
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| Years active | 1983–present |
| Partner(s) | Heather Christie (2005–2008) |
| Children | 1 |
| Awards | Full list |
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Anthony Kiedis (KEE-dis; born November 1, 1962) is an American musician. He is best known as the lead singer of the rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers. Kiedis and his bandmates were honored by being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012.
Anthony Kiedis spent his early years in Grand Rapids, Michigan, living with his mother. Just before his twelfth birthday, he moved to Hollywood to live with his father. While attending Fairfax High School, Kiedis became friends with students Flea and Hillel Slovak. They were members of a band called Anthym. After high school, Kiedis attended UCLA but left during his second year.
Kiedis later received an offer to open for a local band. He asked Flea, Slovak, and drummer Jack Irons to join him. After their first show, performing as Tony Flow and the Miraculously Majestic Masters of Mayhem, the group grew. They eventually became the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Kiedis has recorded thirteen studio albums with the band. His songwriting has changed over time. Early songs were about life in Los Angeles. More recent songs explore themes like love and overcoming challenges.
Contents
Early Life and School Days
Anthony Kiedis was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on November 1, 1962. His parents were Margaret "Peggy" Nobel and actor John Michael Kiedis, also known as Blackie Dammett. His family came from Lithuania in the early 1900s. In 1966, when Anthony was three, his parents divorced. He was raised by his mother in Grand Rapids. His mother later remarried and had two more children.
Every summer, Kiedis visited his father in Hollywood, California. They spent two weeks together and grew closer. Kiedis looked up to his father. He remembered those trips as "the happiest, most carefree" times. In 1974, at age 12, Kiedis moved to Hollywood to live with his father full-time.
Through his father, Kiedis got his first acting role. He used the stage name Cole Dammett. He appeared as Sylvester Stallone's character's son in the 1978 film, F.I.S.T. He also had roles in an ABC Afterschool Special and the film Jokes My Folks Never Told Me.
Kiedis attended Fairfax High School in Los Angeles. He found it hard to make friends at first. But he met his future bandmate Flea there. They had a small disagreement but soon became best friends. They bonded while sitting together in driver's education class. Kiedis said they were "drawn to each other by the forces of mischief and love." He called it the "longest-lasting friendship" of his life. Kiedis introduced Flea to rock music, especially punk rock.
At age 15, Kiedis met future bandmate Hillel Slovak. He saw Slovak perform with his band Anthym. Kiedis later described Slovak as "absolutely different" and someone who understood music and art. Slovak, Kiedis, and Flea often spent time together. Kiedis did well in school, often getting top grades. In June 1980, he graduated from high school with honors. That August, he enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles to study writing.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers Journey
Starting the Band: 1983–1984
Kiedis began working with Flea and drummer Jack Irons. He was known for getting the audience excited before he even started singing. Irons and Slovak had played together in a high school band called Chain Reaction. Flea soon invited Kiedis to join. Kiedis started as a "hype man," warming up the crowd.
Kiedis, Slovak, and Flea started making their own music. They were inspired by a punk-funk band called Defunkt. Kiedis wanted to create a more welcoming environment at concerts. The three reunited with Irons, who had left his band Anthym. They formed a new band called Tony Flow and the Miraculously Majestic Masters of Mayhem. They had only one song, "Out in L.A." Kiedis decided to rap over the music.
A friend invited the band to open for his act at The Rhythm Lounge. He felt Kiedis had potential as a frontman. Slovak and Flea were unsure about Kiedis's singing experience, but they agreed to perform. Kiedis felt a strong connection to performing. He knew it was "what I had been put on this earth to do."
After their first show, the bar owner asked them to return with more songs. After several shows, the band changed its name to The Red Hot Chili Peppers. They grew their set to ten songs by playing at local clubs.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers recorded a demo tape and got a record deal with EMI. However, Irons and Slovak left to focus on their other band, What Is This? Kiedis and Flea hired drummer Cliff Martinez and guitarist Jack Sherman. Andy Gill produced their first album, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, released in 1984. Gill and Sherman had disagreements with Kiedis and Flea. Sherman was later replaced by a returning Slovak.
Growing Success and Challenges: 1985–1988
Funk musician George Clinton produced the band's second album, Freaky Styley. Slovak returned on guitar. The band and Clinton had great chemistry. Freaky Styley was released in August 1985. It gained a bit more attention than their first album.
The band hired Michael Beinhorn to work on their next album. What Is This? had broken up, and Irons returned to the Chili Peppers in mid-1986. The band members faced personal struggles. Kiedis was asked to leave the band temporarily to get help. During this time, the band won an award. This motivated Kiedis to make a change. He went to a rehabilitation clinic in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He found support there and became completely free from substances for the first time since he was young.
After getting help, Kiedis felt a "whole new wave of enthusiasm." He wrote lyrics for a new song, "Fight Like a Brave." He rejoined the Red Hot Chili Peppers in Los Angeles to record the album. The recording process for The Uplift Mofo Party Plan was challenging. Despite difficulties, Kiedis's musical contributions were impressive.
After a tour supporting Uplift, Slovak passed away in 1988. Kiedis was deeply affected. Irons also left the band, saying he didn't want to be part of something that led to a friend's death. Kiedis and Flea decided to continue making music, wanting to honor what Slovak had helped build.
They brought in guitarist DeWayne McKnight and drummer D. H. Peligro. McKnight's style didn't fit well with the band. Peligro introduced them to John Frusciante, a young guitarist and fan of the band. Kiedis was impressed by Frusciante's skill. McKnight was replaced by Frusciante. The band started writing new music. Peligro was later replaced by Chad Smith after auditions.
New Sounds and Big Hits: 1989–1993
The Chili Peppers recorded their fourth album, Mother's Milk, in early 1989. The album received mixed reviews but gained more commercial success. It reached number fifty-two on the Billboard 200 chart.
The band wanted to record their next album, Blood Sugar ... Magik, in a unique place. Their producer Rick Rubin suggested a mansion where magician Harry Houdini was rumored to have lived. They agreed. A studio was set up in the house. The band decided to stay in the mansion during recording, though Smith chose not to, thinking it was haunted.
During this time, Kiedis began writing about personal struggles. Rubin found one of Kiedis's poems that became the lyrics for "Under the Bridge." Kiedis was hesitant, thinking the lyrics were "too soft." But after singing it to Frusciante, they started working on the song. It became a major hit, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100.
When Blood Sugar ... Magik was released on September 24, 1991, it received very positive reviews. The album reached number three on the Billboard 200. It sold over seven million copies in the U.S. The tour that followed was highly praised. The Chili Peppers often played to over twenty thousand people. Bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Smashing Pumpkins toured with them.
The huge attention made Frusciante uncomfortable. He suddenly left the band during the Japanese part of the tour. The band hired guitarist Arik Marshall to finish the remaining shows. The band also performed live at the Grammy's ceremony with George Clinton's P-Funk collective.
Changes and New Albums: 1994–1997
Months passed, and little new music was written. Chad Smith publicly said Kiedis was having trouble writing, but Kiedis denied it. Their sixth album, One Hot Minute, was released in September 1995. It featured the band's new guitarist Dave Navarro. The album received mixed reviews and was different from the band's usual funk-punk sound.
The tour for the album also had mixed results. Chad Smith broke his arm before the U.S. tour in 1995, delaying it until early 1996. Near the end of the tour, Kiedis had a motorcycle accident, breaking his arm. The tour ended early due to a massive typhoon. The year 1997 was called "The Year of Nothing" by Flea.
Reunion and Continued Success: 1998–2010
The band reunited in 1998 to start writing their seventh studio album. Navarro was facing his own challenges. This caused tension, and he was fired in early 1998. Flea told Kiedis that the only way the band could continue was if Frusciante rejoined. Frusciante had been struggling but entered a rehabilitation program in January 1998.
In April 1998, after Frusciante completed his program, Flea invited him back to the band. Frusciante accepted. Within a week, the four members played together for the first time in six years. The newly reunited Red Hot Chili Peppers released Californication on June 8, 1999.
After Californication was released, the band went on a world tour. They were asked to close Woodstock '99. The event became known for problems. The band was told just before playing that crowds and bonfires were out of control. When the Chili Peppers performed a tribute to Jimi Hendrix's song "Fire," the situation worsened. Kiedis felt it was no longer about "peace and love."
Writing for By the Way began in Spring 2001. Much of the music was created in the band members' homes. Kiedis said they "started finding some magic and some music." Frusciante and Kiedis worked together for days, discussing music and lyrics. Kiedis felt that writing By the Way was a "whole different experience" because John was confident. The album showed a change in the band's sound. Kiedis wrote songs reflecting his relationships and past challenges.
The album Stadium Arcadium was recorded at "The Mansion," where they had recorded Blood Sugar ... Magik. Kiedis noted that during recording, "everybody was in a good mood." There was little tension, and everyone felt comfortable sharing ideas. The album was released on May 9, 2006.
After a successful world tour for Stadium Arcadium, the band took a long break in 2008. Kiedis said they were "emotionally and mentally zapped." During the break, Frusciante left the band in July 2009. Josh Klinghoffer, who had toured with the Chili Peppers, was hired as his replacement.
Hall of Fame and Recent Years: 2011–Present
On August 26, 2011, the Red Hot Chili Peppers released their tenth album, I'm with You. On December 7, 2011, they were announced as 2012 inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Kiedis said it was very emotional.
In January 2012, the Chili Peppers had to postpone their U.S. tour. Kiedis had foot injuries since 2006 and needed surgery. He had a bone removed and a tendon repaired. The band resumed their tour in March 2012. The tour for I'm with You ended in April 2013. The band continued touring into mid-2014, including a performance with Bruno Mars at the Super Bowl in February 2014.
In November 2014, Kiedis went on a small book tour for the Chili Peppers book, Fandemonium. He did book signings and appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.
Kiedis received the George and Ira Gershwin Award for Lifetime Musical Achievement on May 16, 2015. His mother, Peggy Noble Idema, expressed her pride. After his speech, Kiedis performed acoustically with Josh Klinghoffer.
On May 14, 2016, the band had to cancel a show because Kiedis was rushed to the hospital. He was suffering from intestinal flu but was expected to recover. The band postponed another show. Kiedis and the Chili Peppers returned to the stage on May 22, 2016. Kiedis later said his illness was due to "inflammation in my guts" complicated by a stomach virus and old scar tissue.
During filming for The Late Late Show with James Corden in June 2016, Kiedis performed emergency CPR on a baby. A woman brought her baby out, saying it couldn't breathe. Kiedis tried to help, and the baby started breathing again before the ambulance arrived.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers released their eleventh studio album, The Getaway, on June 17, 2016.
In December 2019, the Red Hot Chili Peppers announced that John Frusciante would return to replace Josh Klinghoffer. By May 2021, the band had almost finished their twelfth studio album, Unlimited Love. On October 7, 2021, they announced dates for a Global Stadium Tour. The tour, supporting the album, included the band's first headlining stadium shows in the U.S. Unlimited Love was released on April 1, 2022.
On December 20, 2021, Kiedis performed at a benefit concert in Los Angeles. He sang a cover of Lou Reed's "Walk on the Wild Side" with Dave Navarro. This was their first performance together in 24 years.
On October 14, 2022, The Red Hot Chili Peppers released their thirteenth studio album, Return of the Dream Canteen.
In May 2025, it was reported that a documentary about the band's early years was being shown privately. The film will focus on the close bond between Anthony Kiedis, Flea, and Hillel Slovak. It includes interviews with current and past band members.
Other Creative Work
Using the stage name Cole Dammett, Kiedis had small roles in TV and film as a teenager. His early credits include F.I.S.T. and an ABC Afterschool Special. In the 1990s, Kiedis returned to acting. He played a surfer named Tone in the 1991 movie Point Break, starring Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze. In The Chase (1994), Kiedis and Flea played characters who chase Charlie Sheen's character.
Kiedis also organized the New American Music Union, a two-day summer music festival in August 2008. He brought together musicians like Bob Dylan, The Raconteurs, and Gnarls Barkley. The Red Hot Chili Peppers did not perform. In 2011, Kiedis and his son Everly appeared in the documentary Bob and the Monster. This film is about musician and counselor Bob Forrest. On May 11, 2011, Anthony donated an MTV European Music Award to help raise money for Japan after an earthquake and tsunami.
Kiedis and Flea were executive producers for the 2014 film Low Down. This movie is based on the life of jazz pianist Joe Albany.
In June 2015, Kiedis and his son Everly Bear, along with Cher and Willow Smith, became "new faces" for Marc Jacobs' Fall 2015 ad campaign.
In February 2016, the Chili Peppers performed at a fundraiser supporting Bernie Sanders.
In January 2019, Kiedis co-wrote an article for Rolling Stone. He discussed the human and environmental costs of climate change. He said that state and local governments must lead the way when the federal government falls short. Three days later, Kiedis and the Chili Peppers performed at a benefit for victims of the Woolsey Fire in California. The fires destroyed many homes and forced Kiedis and his band members to leave their homes. The recording of the band's twelfth album was also paused due to the fires.
On April 5, 2023, it was announced that Kiedis, along with Bob Forrest and Ron Burkle, formed a production company called Said and Done Entertainment. Their first project is an animated series for TBS called Hellicious. Kiedis will voice one of the main characters and be an executive producer.
In May 2025, it was announced that Kiedis and his friend Shane Powers started a ready-to-drink coffee company called "JOLENE." The name is a nod to "cup of joe" and was inspired by the Dolly Parton song "Jolene." The coffee is available online and at select stores and music venues.
Musical Style and Influences
When creating lyrics and melodies for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kiedis finds inspiration from many places. His first musical memory was hearing Neil Young's "Heart of Gold" at age eleven. He said it "moved me so much." In high school, he was influenced by the rap-style vocals of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five's "The Message." He also liked the bold lyrics of Prince's "Dirty Mind."
Kiedis writes most of the Red Hot Chili Peppers' lyrics. Starting with the 1989 Mother's Milk album, John Frusciante and Flea have written almost all the music. Kiedis then adds lyrics and melodies that he hears during their instrumental jams. Kiedis said in 2006, "Somehow I find songs... in the bigness of what they're doing." His lyrical style has changed over the years. Early songs were about his enjoyment of life in Los Angeles. As his musical tastes grew, he began writing about more topics. His lyrics often share themes with the writings of Charles Bukowski, a writer Kiedis admires.
His early singing style with the band mainly involved rapping. This led to him being seen as an influence on the rap rock music style. On Mother's Milk (1989), Kiedis wrote more melody-driven songs. The first song where he used this new melodic style was "Knock Me Down." The melody was shaped by guitarist John Frusciante. Frusciante also sang lead vocals on the song with Kiedis. Blood Sugar ... Magik in 1991 still featured Kiedis rapping. But he also started singing in songs like "Under the Bridge," "Breaking the Girl," and "I Could Have Lied." Over the years, Kiedis began to prefer singing more than rapping. He has worked with many vocal coaches. It wasn't until 1999's Californication that he felt he had full control of his voice while singing.
Scar Tissue Book
On October 6, 2004, Kiedis published his memoir, Scar Tissue. He wrote it with author Larry Sloman. The book was first meant to be stories about his childhood. But it became a full autobiography. Kiedis explained that despite his past, his memory was "pretty lucid." The book became a worldwide bestseller.
In a June 2016 interview, Kiedis said he initially regretted writing Scar Tissue. He felt it caused some pain. But then he saw the positive impact. People were reading it in hospitals, prisons, and schools. He realized the book's purpose was to show that someone can face many challenges and still have a productive, successful, and interesting life. He said that whatever difficulties he went through were worth it because many people told him the book helped them. Kiedis has said he hopes his family hasn't read the book because of some personal details.
Television Series and Movie Plans
Kiedis was developing a TV series for HBO. It was based on his unique childhood in Los Angeles. The show was expected to be loosely based on his autobiography. It was called Spider and Son. The series would focus on Kiedis's relationship with his father, Blackie Dammett. His father sold things and spent time with rock stars, while also trying to get into show business.
In October 2011, it was announced that FX had picked up the rights to the series. Entourage producers Esther Dawson and Mike Chester were still involved. Kiedis was also a co-producer. In 2013, his father mentioned the series was "mothballed" but hoped it would resume after the Chili Peppers' tour.
On January 17, 2024, it was announced that Universal Pictures will release a movie based on Scar Tissue. Kiedis, along with Guy Oseary and Brian Grazer, will produce the film. In September 2024, it was reported that filming would begin in Atlanta in early 2025.
Personal Life
Family and Relationships
Kiedis's father, Blackie Dammett, was an actor. He appeared in over 50 movies and TV shows. Dammett also ran the band's fan club for many years. His autobiography, Lords of the Sunset Strip, was released in March 2013. Kiedis also has a younger half-brother through his father. During a Chili Peppers show in June 2017, Kiedis dedicated a song to his father, who was suffering from dementia. Dammett passed away in May 2021.
Kiedis was in a relationship with actress Ione Skye in the late 1980s. Skye was supposed to be on the cover of the Chili Peppers' 1989 album, Mother's Milk. However, the record label felt she looked "a little young." In January 2025, Skye posted the unused photo on her Instagram page. In her 2025 memoir Say Everything, Skye shared more about their relationship.
Kiedis claims to have had a brief relationship in 1990 with singer Sinéad O'Connor. He said she inspired his song "I Could Have Lied." He was also in a brief relationship with Spice Girls singer Melanie "Sporty Spice" Chisholm. She inspired "Emit Remmus" from 1999's Californication. His band also covered their song "Wannabe" at a 1997 concert. Kiedis was in a relationship with fashion designer Yohanna Logan from 1998 to 2003. He had a two-year relationship with Australian model Helena Vestergaard that ended in late 2014. The end of this relationship inspired many of his lyrics for The Getaway.
Kiedis was in a relationship with Heather Christie from 2004 to 2008. They had a child born on October 2, 2007.
Kiedis is a longtime fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Los Angeles Rams.
Feud with Mike Patton
For over 30 years, Kiedis and Faith No More/Mr. Bungle singer Mike Patton have had an ongoing disagreement. Before this, Faith No More (with Chuck Mosley as singer) and Red Hot Chili Peppers had toured together. However, tensions started in 1989 when Kiedis accused Patton of copying his stage style. The two spoke negatively about each other in the media in 1990.
The relationship seemed to improve in the 1990s. But the disagreement started again in 1999. Mr. Bungle's album California was set to be released on the same day as the Chili Peppers' Californication. But the record company pushed Mr. Bungle's release back a week. Mr. Bungle then claimed that Kiedis had them removed from several European festivals. Mr. Bungle's guitarist, Trey Spruance, said the Chili Peppers' manager apologized and blamed Kiedis.
In response, Mr. Bungle made fun of the Red Hot Chili Peppers at a concert in Pontiac, Michigan, on Halloween 1999. They covered some of the band's songs, with Patton intentionally using incorrect lyrics. Kiedis responded by having them removed from the 2000 Big Day Out festival in Australia and New Zealand. Kiedis said he wouldn't have cared if they played with them, but after hearing about the Halloween show, he was upset. Spruance later said their parody was a response to Kiedis having them removed from festivals.
Patton continued to mock Kiedis in interviews with his new band Fantômas. Despite this, Patton later said he wanted to move past the disagreement. Kiedis and the band also seemed to make a gesture towards Patton in 2014. They jokingly played a bit of the Faith No More song "We Care a Lot" at a concert. Mr. Bungle guitarist Trey Spruance has also spoken positively about the first two Red Hot Chili Peppers albums.
Several publications have called the Kiedis-Patton disagreement one of the notable feuds in rock history.
Discography
- Red Hot Chili Peppers
- The Red Hot Chili Peppers (1984)
- Freaky Styley (1985)
- The Uplift Mofo Party Plan (1987)
- Mother's Milk (1989)
- Blood Sugar ... Magik (1991)
- One Hot Minute (1995)
- Californication (1999)
- By the Way (2002)
- Stadium Arcadium (2006)
- I'm with You (2011)
- The Getaway (2016)
- Unlimited Love (2022)
- Return of the Dream Canteen (2022)
Filmography
- F.I.S.T. (1978) as Kevin Kovak (billed as Cole Dammett)
- ABC Afterschool Special (1978, Episode: "It's a Mile from Here to Glory") as Jimmy Plummer (billed as Cole Dammett)
- Jokes My Folks Never Told Me (1978) as Student (billed as Cole Dammett)
- Thrashin' (1986) as himself with Red Hot Chili Peppers, Cliff Martinez, Hillel Slovak performing Blackeyed Blonde off their second LP, Freaky Styley
- Point Break (1991) as Tone
- The Chase (1994) as Will
- Hellicious (TBA) as Briggy Bundy (also serves as the show's executive producer)
Images for kids
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Kiedis performing in 2022
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Kiedis performing with the Red Hot Chili Peppers in Philadelphia in November 1985
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Kiedis and Flea performing in Amsterdam in August 1989
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Kiedis performing in 2003
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Kiedis in 2011
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The Hollywood Walk of Fame star for the Red Hot Chili Peppers on Hollywood Boulevard near Amoeba Music
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Kiedis performing at Rock am Ring and Rock im Park in Germany in 2016
External links
See also
In Spanish: Anthony Kiedis para niños
