Flea

Latest about Flea

Anna Butterss of Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit performs at Tabernacle on March 28, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. Flea attends a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena on November 25, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
Flea has announced his debut solo album – but he’s not the only bassist playing on it

By Nick Wells Published

After decades of anticipation, Flea’s debut single pulls no punches, with two bassists linking seamlessly on the song’s darting bassline

Bassists
The bass player of the band Red Hot Chili Peppers Flea (Michael Peter Balzary) in concert at the Unipol Arena in Bologna. Bologna, Italy. 8th October 2016. Charlie Haden performs at the Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman Auditorium on February 28, 2009 in Nashville, Tennessee.
When Flea met Charlie Haden – and had much more in common than you might think

By Bill Leigh Published

From the Bass Player Archive: An interview with a bona-fide rock star and a veteran jazz legend

Bassists
Left-Joe Dart of the band Vulfpeck performs onstage during Outside Lands Festival at Golden Gate Park on August 5, 2016 in San Francisco, California; Right–Flea performs during Soundcheck when Michael Dorf presents the 20th Annual Charity Concert, "People Have The Power - A Celebration Of Patti Smith" show at Carnegie Hall on March 26, 2025 in New York City
Vulfpeck’s Joe Dart on the priceless bass advice he got from Flea as a teenager

By Janelle Borg Published

Dart’s ultimate fan dream came true when he received a letter from Flea in the mail

Bassists
Jane's Addiction bassist Eric Avery performs at The Pearl concert theater at the Palms Casino Resort May 18, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The band, touring with all four original members for the first time since 1991, released the four-disc box set, "A Cabinet of Curiosities" in April.
“Flea said I might get the gig”: Jane’s Addiction bassist Eric Avery recalls his 2003 audition for Metallica

By Brian Fox Published

After surviving Jane’s Addiction and touring with Alanis Morissette, Eric Avery was granted an audition with metal giants Metallica

Bassists
Flea of Red Hot Chili Peppers performs at Budweiser Stage on July 15, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario
Flea names his pick for “the greatest rock bass player” of all time

By Phil Weller Published

The Red Hot Chili Peppers member has singled out a player for his ability to subvert what is expected of a traditional bassist

Bassists
Musician Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers poses shirtless in his hotel room for a portrait, while holding his guitar and wearing a baseball cap which says "Cube" in August 1992 in New York City, New York.
Flea wanted to ditch Give It Away before his Red Hot Chili Peppers bandmates stepped in

By Nick Wells Published

Rick Rubin persuaded Flea to tone down his original bassline on the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ 1991 hit single

Bassists
Portrait of Danish musician Ida Nielsen. Mark King, lead singer and bassist of the band Level 42. Photo of Victor WOOTEN. American Jazz composer and bassist Marcus Miller
The 20 greatest slap bass songs of all time

By Nick Wells Published

These masterful slap basslines chart the evolution of the quintessential bass technique, from Larry Graham to today's YouTube heroes

Music Releases
Flea
Flea regrets his bass-smashing antics in Red Hot Chili Peppers’ earlier years

By Phil Weller Published

The energetic bassist took to social media to voice his regret of destroying his instruments in the ‘90s and ‘00s

Bassists
Red Hot Chili Peppers perform at Lollapalooza, Waterloo, New Jersey, August 1, 1991.
“John Lydon once made a stab at poaching Flea for Public Image. At which point Flea keeled over and passed out”: Anthony Kiedis takes a nostalgic look back at Flea’s finest hour from Blood Sugar Sex Magik

By Joel McIver Published

Flea’s reputation as a killer bass player almost saw him lured away from the Red Hot Chili Peppers

Bassists
Bassist Flea of Red Hot Chili Peppers performs at Allegiant Stadium on April 01, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“The White Album was the first thing that I connected with as a kid”: Flea picks his top 5 ‘desert island’ discs

By Nick Wells Published

The Red Hot Chili Pepper was also asked to name his dream supergroup. Safe to say he picked himself on bass

Music Releases
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