Flea’s wild path from childhood to Chili Peppers

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My guest Flea co-founded the multiple Grammy winning band, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, in 1982. He's a songwriter and the band's bass player, known for his fast percussive grooves. They started as an LA punk rock band when LA and New York were the punk capitals. Their lead singer initially rapped more than he sang. Flea has just released his first solo album called Honora, and it's a big departure.

Various styles of jazz figure into it. Flea's stepfather was a jazz musician, and listening to his music, starting when Flea was seven, changed Flea's life in ways he's still grateful for. But Flea's stepfather was also addicted to heroin. and alcohol, and that made home life unpredictable and sometimes dangerous, leaving Flea afraid to go home. He spent as much time as he could on the streets and with friends, often doing things that could have had serious consequences.

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