(Credits: Far Out / YouTube Still)
Sat 6 December 2025 15:20, UK
Anthony Kiedis‘ life seems too far out to be true. In his autobiography, Scar Tissue, he shares many tales, some offering genuine insights into his musical artistry, while others are so convoluted they seem unbelievable. Despite the darker aspects of Kiedis’ life, the enduring popularity of Red Hot Chili Peppers’ music makes for an intriguing study.
Kiedis’ stranger-than-fiction story began in childhood when he became exposed to the drug-infused rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle due to his father, who was selling substances to rock stars in a bid to make some extra cash. Kiedis claims to have first used heroin when he was 14, which, as you could imagine, was merely one stepping stone to what some would call a lifetime of abuse.
Even worse is that Kiedis doesn’t seem to have the cleanest record when it comes to his dating history. It started when he entered a romantic partnership with Donovan’s daughter, Ione Skye, who was 16 when he was 24. Alongside the fact that he included a nude photograph of the pair in his autobiography, the Peppers’ song ‘Catholic School Girls Rule’ doesn’t exactly scrub his questionable reputation on the matter.
In fact, the 61-year-old recently made headlines again after being spotted with his current girlfriend, who, according to various sources, is either 19 or 20 years old. This fact further fuels the rumours that the musician isn’t someone you would consider admirable or respectable. Problematic nature aside, it does pose an interesting question about the artists whose morals we hate but whose music we cannot get away from and even enjoy.
Red Hot Chili Peppers is one of the most beloved bands in rock history whose music has simultaneously soundtracked the stadium rock boom of the 1980s and the indie revival of the early 2000s. Whatever way you look at it, the music became ingrained long before Kiedis’ supposed bad behaviours did, and it continues to infiltrate culture even now that the information is out there if you’re willing to look.
Anthony Kiedis on the beach. (Credits: Far Out / 20th Century Fox)
Even more interesting is evaluating Kiedis’ various influences and how both his tumultuous past and the musicians he admired coalesced with the music he created. Perhaps it makes sense, then, that he once regarded late Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain as one of his cherished favourites, a fact that aligns well with his seemingly more obvious troubled genius tropes.
Nirvana was dominating the scene while Kiedis’ band encountered a notable explosion in the early 1990s, particularly after the latter released ‘Blood Sugar Sex Magik’ around the same time Nirvana released the coveted Nevermind. Following this, the Peppers embarked on a huge promotional tour with acts like Smashing Pumpkins, Pearl Jam, and, of course, Nirvana on the bill.
While it makes complete sense why Kiedis would immediately connect with someone whose darkness formed the basis of most of his work, he once attempted to describe where his infatuation came from, explaining that he was completely mesmerised by the musician.
He told Penthouse: “Kurt Cobain was my favourite songwriter in the past 15 years. I was just constantly in awe of his character and his art.”
It’s not an unexpected admission. Keidis was a vital member of the musical community when Cobain and Nirvana became icons. But while his songwriting is notable in so many ways, and has routinely been championed by countless other artists, Cobain’s character is often forgotten.
While Cobain clearly had his own mental health issues and substance abuse struggles, his outward behaviour seemed to often land on the right side of history. He was an active social agitator and a vocal member of society who stood up for the little person and the widely marginalised.
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