iHeartRadio

Flea Explains Why He Left Gay Past Out Of Memoir

flea

Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea says fans who buy his new memoir won’t read about the gay experiences he had when he was younger.

The 57-year-old musician admits he wrote at length about his same-sex encounters in an early draft of Acid for the Children but decided to take it all out.

“I didn’t want it to be sensationalized,” Flea told The Guardian. “To me, it wasn’t a big deal. I was experimenting and it turns out, ‘hey, I’m not gay’. So, it’s not really my story.”

Flea, who married designer Melody Ehsani last month, does write about male identity in a chapter titled “Men Don’t Kiss Men.” He recalls feeling hurt as a six-year-old boy when his father admonished him for wanting a kiss.

Fast forward to the early days of Red Hot Chili Peppers, who posed for a Los Angeles gay porn magazine.

“I felt honoured that they wanted us in the magazine,” said Flea. “The gay community in Los Angeles were the first ones to really embrace the Chili Peppers.”

As for the band's fondness for stripping down on stage and for photos? “I grew up running around naked,” said Flea. “There’s a freedom inherent in it, a rebelliousness, that I find beautiful.”

Artist Radio

Listen to music from Red Hot Chili Peppers

Latest Videos

  • icons of the Decade - Darke

    Icons of the Decade: Drake

    No other artist has defined the sound of the 2010s like Toronto's own Drake. From chart topping hits, to entrepreneurial endeavors, and a love for his hometown like no other, we look back at the one and only Drake's accomplishments this decade.

  • Icons of the Decade - Maroon 5

    Icons of the Decade: Maroon 5

    Maroon 5 have been an unstoppable force this decade! We look back on Maroon 5’s multiple award wins, chart topping hits, and iconic performances that have made them one of the standout acts of the last 10 years!

  • 28329379001_6104553551001_6104549866001-vs.jpg?pubId=28329379001

    Icons of the Decade: Imagine Dragons

    Few bands have broken on to the scene and made an impact in the 2010s like Imagine Dragons.

    iHeartRadio looks back on some of Imagine Dragons' incredible achievements from 2010-2019, including their GRAMMY Awards Wins, their outstanding performances, and their commitment to giving back to the LGBTQ+ community.

  • Lady Gaga - icons of the decade

    Icons of the Decade: Lady Gaga

    From 'Born this Way' to 'A Star is Born' Lady Gaga has influenced the world of music like few others this decade. iHeartRadio looks back on some of Lady Gaga's incredible achievements from 2010-2019, including her OSCARS and GRAMMY Awards Wins, her legendary performances, and her chart-topping music.