Flea-Gap Rating 9/10

After his parents divorced at an early age, his mother re-married with a New York Jazz musician by the name of Walter Urban Jr and in 1967 they moved to N.Y. His stepfather would become a main influence in Flea eventually taking up music in the form of the trumpet. When Flea's stepfather was touring, Flea moved around a lot, and in 1973 he settled in L.A and started at Fairfax High School. At that time Flea had become very talented with his instrument and his teachers were astonished by his skill. He played trumpet with the L.A junior Philharmonics and the school orchestra, and became a favourite among his teachers. Originally, Flea didn't really enjoy school. The other kids teased him because of his funny accent and his different taste in music. Most kids at the time were into disco-music but Flea preferred to listen to Jazz and Soul. His favourite artists were Dizzy Gillespie, Ornette Coleman and Miles Davis.

It was during high school that Flea and Anthony Kiedis met each other. Just like Anthony, Flea loved doing crazy things. The two them did lots of spectacular and mad things together during their high school days. One of their most dangerous pass-times was to jump into swimming pools from big buildings and hotels.

In 1979, Flea and Anthony met Hillel Slovak and Jack Irons. This quartet (later to become the Red Hot Chili Peppers) formed a local band, which they named Anthym. It was also around this time that the group of friends started the gang Los Faces. That was when Flea started to play the bass. He had never played the instrument before but his obvious natural talent, and eagerness to learn, enabled him to pick it up quickly.

In 1981, Flea started touring with the punk band Fear. He was later offered a permanent place in the band, but he turned them down.

In 1985 Flea married Loesha Zeivar but they divorced in 1990. Together, they have a daughter called Clara who was born on the 16th of September in 1988. Clara has been to, and even appeared in, many of the bands concerts, and she also can be seen in the Aeroplane video.

In 1993 one of Flea's best friends River Phoenix died and Flea became very sick. Flea had a small role in River's film "My own private Idaho."

Flea owns a Mercedes-Benz which is painted like clown in all the colours of the rainbow. Flea's bass is a special designed guitar from Modulus guitars, it's called the Flea-bass.

Outside RHCP, Flea's been working on a solo-album (which has now been shelved) and he has also been partcipating in many projects with other muscians such as Stephen Perkins, Perry Farell, Henry Rollins, Cheikha Rimitti etc. He played with Henry Rollins and Tom Morello from Rage Against The Machine for the 'Small Soldiers' soundtrack. In 1997 Flea and Dave Navarro played on Alanis Morisette's hit-single "You Oughta Know".

Flea's funky bassplay has been influenced by many funk, jazz, rock and soul musicians. Some of his biggest influences (other than those previously mentioned) include: George Clinton, James Brown, The Meters, Defunkt, Jimi Hendrix, Bootsy Collins, Larry Graham, Jah Wobble and Sly & The Family Stone.

Throughout the years Flea has had lots of cameo roles in different movies, culminating in his first lead role in the film 'Liar's Poker'. His movie appearances include:

Suburbia (1984), Thrashin' (1985), Blue Iguana (1988), Back To The Future II (1989), Back To The Future III (1990), Lets Get Lost, Roadside Prophets (1991), My Own Private Idaho (1991), Stranded (1992), Just Your Luck, Demolition Man (1993), The Chase (1993), The Son In Law, Motorama (1994), Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Wild Side (1995), The Big Lebowski (1998) and Liar's Poker (1999).

During the past few years Flea has evolved even more as a musician. He loves touring, and believes strongly in putting on an entertaining show. In 1996 Flea was given the title "Bassist of the Year" by Bass Player magazine. Flea is now universally recognised as one of the most skilful bassists in the world.

Flea is somewhat an exhibitionist and many people, mostly journalists, tend to focus on his habit to "expose" himself. He has a very spontaneous personality and follows what ever seems right, and loves to use the art of improvisation. He is very free minded in his beliefs, and expresses himself with the trademark honesty that has endeared himself to all of his many fans across the globe.