Full Name | Anthony Kiedis |
Birthday | November 1, 1962 |
Age | 60 years |
Hometown | Grand Rapids, MI |
Residence | Los Angeles, CA |
Relationship Status | Single |
Occupation | Musician, Singer, Songwriter |
Years Active | 1979–present |
Associated Acts | Red Hot Chili Peppers |
Net Worth | $140 million |
Social Profiles |
Facebook / Twitter / |
Michigan Beginnings
Anthony Kiedis was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1962. His father was an aspiring actor and his mother was a free-spirited artist. Young Anthony was inspired by the funky rhythms of artists like Sly and the Family Stone. "That funky energy was coursing through my veins from the time I was born," he said.
Kiedis‘ parents divorced when he was still a child. At age 11, he moved to Hollywood to live with his father, which opened the doors to an immersive musical education. "Those were precious years of ingesting as much music as I could," Kiedis recalls.
Forming the Red Hot Chili Peppers
As a teenager at Fairfax High School, Kiedis met Michael Balzary (better known as Flea). They bonded over a shared love of hardcore punk bands like The Germs. Kiedis started rapping while Flea accompanied him on bass, which marked the genesis of their musical chemistry.
In 1983, Kiedis and Flea decided to form a band that would fuse funk and punk influences. They were soon joined by guitarist Hillel Slovak and drummer Jack Irons, cementing the original Red Hot Chili Peppers lineup.
Even in the band‘s earliest days, Kiedis displayed the wildly energetic stage antics that would become his signature. "I always had an excess of energy to release through performance," he said.
Breakthrough with ‘Blood Sugar Sex Magik‘
Though their early albums gained notoriety in the LA rock scene, mainstream success eluded Red Hot Chili Peppers until 1991‘s ‘Blood Sugar Sex Magik.‘ Kiedis‘ charismatic vocals on hits like "Under the Bridge" propelled them to international fame. His heartfelt lyrics about loneliness and addiction resonated with listeners worldwide.
Kiedis‘ dynamic flair captivated audiences, from his funky dancing to his tendency to perform shirtless with bold messages written on his chest. "I found that baring my soul musically and baring my flesh physically went hand-in-hand," he explained.
Overcoming Addiction
Behind the scenes, Kiedis was battling a severe heroin and cocaine addiction that nearly destroyed him. His drug abuse cost him a relationship with longtime girlfriend Yohanna Logan and led to multiple arrests.
After relapsing several times in the 1990s, Kiedis finally got clean in 2000 after entering rehab and focusing on exercise and healthy living. He emerged with a renewed commitment to music and living a clean lifestyle.
Legacy as a Rock Icon
Now approaching 60, Anthony Kiedis remains the ever-animated funk rock icon who burst onto the scene with Red Hot Chili Peppers over 30 years ago. His dynamic voice and performance style have made him one of the most riveting frontmen in rock history. Though he has faced personal demons, Kiedis continues to hold his head high and approach each show with contagious exuberance.