Anthony Kiedis, born November 1, 1962, is the lead singer and songwriter for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. His Unique blend of funk, punk, and free-style rap brought a huge change to the music scene elevating the Red Hot Chili Peppers to becoming one of the most popular bands of the 90's.

Kiedis' life began in Grand Rapids, Michigan where his mom raised him until the age of eleven when he moved to Los Angeles to live with his father John Kiedis (later changed to his stage name Blackie Dammett). Anthony did not have a normal upbringing living with his father whose primary source of income came froming selling drugs. It didn't take long before Anthony was following in his father's footsteps of drug use and partying.

The love for being on stage came at an early age for Anthony. His father, along with selling drugs, was a struggling actor who taught Anthony to act and perform. During his days at Fairfax High School, Anthony Kiedis would go on stage to introduce his favorite band What is This. On stage he would rap about the group talking them up and pumping up the crowd until the band was ready to play. It was suggested that Kiedis sing for the band because of his excellent stage pressence and energy despite his poor singing ability at the time. Kiedis then went on to jam with a few members of that group eventually starting the band The Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Anthony Kiedis, while singing for The Red Hot Chili Peppers, developed a heroin addiction. His struggles with drugs had many negative effects on him and the band. If he showed up at all to practice he would often times be to high to contribute, but despite all this he still managed to perform well and the crowd loved him.

In 1988 Kiedis saw his best friend Hillel slovak die of a speedball overdose. Kiedis took this passing very poorly; instead of attending his funeral he went to Mexico with his girlfriend to buy more drugs. It wasn't until Kiedis was kicked out of the band until he began to realize that he had a problem and needed help.

Kiedis got help and got clean and the band was happy to have him back. Anthony Kiedis returned to the band with a new perspective. He put more focus and energy into creating music and less time chasing dealers and spending all his money.

-Brian Smith