Acid For The Children - The autobiography of Flea, the Red Hot Chili Peppers legend

Flea, the iconic bassist and co-founder, alongside Anthony Kiedis, of the
immortal Red Hot Chili Peppers finally tells his fascinating origin story,
complete with all the dizzying highs and the gutter lows you'd expect from an
LA street rat turned world-famous rock star.

Michael Peter Balzary was born in Melbourne, Australia, on October 16, 1962.
His more famous stage name, Flea, and his wild ride as the renowned bass
player for the Red Hot Chili Peppers was in a far and distant future. Little
Michael from Oz moved with his very conservative, very normal family to
Westchester, New York, where life as he knew it was soon turned upside down.
His parents split up and he and his sister moved into the home of his mother's
free-wheeling, jazz musician boyfriend - trading in rules, stability, and
barbecues for bohemian values, wildness, and Sunday afternoon jazz parties
where booze, weed, and music flowed in equal measure. There began Michael's
life-long journey to channel all the frustration, loneliness, love, and joy he
felt into incredible rhythm.

When Michael's family moved to Los Angeles in 1972, his home situation was
rockier than ever. He sought out a sense of belonging elsewhere, spending most
of his days partying, playing basketball, and committing petty crimes. At
Fairfax High School, he met another social outcast, Anthony Kiedis, who
quickly became his soul brother, the yin to his yang, his partner in mischief.
Michael joined some bands, fell in love with performing, and honed his skills.
But it wasn't until the night when Anthony, excited after catching a
Grandmaster Flash concert, suggested they start their own band that he is
handed the magic key to the cosmic kingdom.

Acid for the Children is as raw, entertaining and wildly unpredictable as its
author. It's both a tenderly evocative coming of age story and a raucous love
letter to the power of music and creativity