Anthony Kiedis

Anthony Kiedis is the lead singer of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. He and bassist Flea founded the California-based funk/rock group in 1983. Kiedis is well known for his energetic jumping on stage and his soulful, funky lyrics.

Kiedis was born on November 1, 1962 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to John Kiedis (a.k.a. Blackie Dammet) and Margaret "Peggy" Idema who divorced in 1968, when he was 5. Kiedis is 5'9" and has nine tattoos. He lived with his mother in Grand Rapids until he was 11, then in California with his father. He has two half-sisters, Julie and Jenny and a half-brother, James.

Kiedis has had many struggles with drug addiction, including heroin and cocaine. His father introduced him to drugs at a young age. He initially became clean after the death of band member Hillel Slovak for 5 years, but relapsed many times, until finally becoming clean again in early 2002 to present. He has admitted to temptations of another relapse but so far has managed to stay clean. Kiedis claims that his dog, Buster (named after his favourite comedian) has taken a big part in helping him stay clean from drug abuse. Sadly, Buster, a Rhodesian Ridgeback, has since died.

Kiedis appeared as an actor in Point Break playing Tone with Keanu Reeves in 1991, and in "The Chase" in 1994 with Flea playing Will. His earlier work saw him adopting the stage name Cole Dammet and starred as Sylvester Stallone's son in the film F.I.S.T.

In 2004 Kiedis published a memoir called Scar Tissue which made it as high as 17th on the New York Times Bestseller List.