Flea

Michael Peter Balzary ...... was born in Australia, but he wasn't there long. His parents divorced when he was very young, and his mother moved him first to New York, and then to Los Angeles early in life. Flea's mother met and married a jazz musician, and his constant jamming with musicians at home had a major impact in Flea's development as a young musician.

He began taking jazz trumpet lessons, and advanced quickly to virtuoso status. But, at the age of fourteen, friend Hillel Slovak introduced him to Jimi Hendrix, and Flea was taken with rock music. They were already friends with Anthony Kiedis, and the three boys decided to form a band. Eventually, after a few name changes, and the recruitment of fellow friend Jack Irons, they became the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

They created a large following in the 80's because of their alternative-funk-metal sound. It was Flea's writing and innovative bass sound that drove the Pepper's music, and they have had success spanning the 80's, 90's and now into the new millennium. Flea has not only inspired a new generation of bass players, but has created quite a name for himself amongst the jazz community with his ingenius trumpet playing.

Flea has emerged as a film actor as well, most famously for his appearances as "Needles" in Back To The Future Parts II and III. He has also starred in The Big Lowboski, My Own Private Idaho, Psycho (remake) and most recently has been doing voice overs for the hit cartoon/film series 'The Wild Thornberrys'.

Flea has recently been hard at work on a special children's album which is expected to be released at some point in 2004....