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Now in paperback, the New York Times bestseller by one of rock's most provocative figures
Scar Tissue is Anthony Kiedis's searingly honest memoir of a life spent in the fast lane. In 1983, four self-described "knuckleheads" burst out of the mosh-pitted mosaic of the neo-punk rock scene in L.A. with their own unique brand of cosmic hardcore mayhem funk. Over twenty years later, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, against all odds, have become one of the most successful bands in the world. Though the band has gone through many incarnations, Anthony Kiedis, the group's lyricist and dynamic lead singer, has been there for the whole roller-coaster ride.
Whether he's recollecting the influence of the beautiful, strong women who have been his muses, or retracing a journey that has included appearances as diverse as a performance before half a million people at Woodstock or an audience of one at the humble compound of the exiled Dalai Lama, Kiedis shares a compelling story about the price of success and excess. Scar Tissue is a story of dedication and debauchery, of intrigue and integrity, of recklessness and redemption—a story that could only have come out of the world of rock.
One day I showed up to rehearsal and Jack and Hillel and Flea, who probably loved me more than any three guys on earth, said, "Anthony, we're kicking you out of the band. We want to play music and you obviously don't, so you have to go. We're going to get a different singer and we're going to go on so you're out of here."
I had a brief moment of clarity where I realized that they had every right in the world to fire me. It was really an obvious move, like cutting off your damn foot because it was gangrened so that the rest of your body wouldn't die. I just wanted to be remembered and acknowledged for those two or three years that I had been in the Red Hot Chili Peppers as a founding member, a guy who started something, a guy who made two records, and whatever else would come after that, that was theirs. Part of me was very genuine in letting go of the band. But part of what made it so easy for me to accept was that now I knew I had zero responsibilities and I could just go off with Kim and get loaded.
Much to their amazement I just shrugged and said, "You guys are right. I apologize for not contributing what I should have been contributing this whole time. It's a crying shame, but I understand completely and I wish you guys the best of luck."
And I left.
Anonymous
Posted Mon Apr 11 00:00:00 EDT 2005
First and Foremost, Props to the Chili Peppers...Blood Sex Magic was apart of my college experience, and they command respect. With that said, I have a few observations. First, Anthony so desperately wants his readers to know what a ladies man he is. Why? I can understand writing about meaningful relationships and the effect they had on the author and his work, but in the end, my image of Anthony is weak and insecure for a couple of reasons: a) why does he feel so inclined to give such graphic detail to his sexual relations? I'm sure the women and their families really appreciated the detail. b) I grew tired and bored everytime he would say 'the second we meet I felt a connection and had to have her' or 'that was the most amazing sexual experience I ever had in my life'. Give me a break...these women come off as shallow party girls with starry eyes. Same old story as far as Rock Stars go. Your boy Jack Nicholson would never write a book detailing his sexual conquests, he has to much class and doesn't need the validation. I also find Anthony's attention to detail amazing when it comes to all his encounters with women, even though he was extremely loaded all the time, the verbal exchanges seem to be verbatum. I can barely remember the few encounters I had when I was young, and I'm only 32. And for those of you who feel that the redundant sexual detail are vital to the story, you're better off subscribing to Penthouse's Forum. Despite my aggressive stance on his 'womanizing' I did find value and insight on his battle with the dark energy that comes with his lifestyle. Anthony was honest. Drugs are fierce, and there is a dark spirit out there waging war for your soul. I felt his desperation and hopelessness. Addiction is no laughing matter.
23 out of 34 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Tue Jul 14 00:00:00 EDT 2009
You do not have to be a hardcore RHCP fan to appreciate this book. I read it in one week laying in bed before going to sleep each night. There is not one dull moment. Most would think Flea would be the one with all the troubled past, but not so. Anthony Kiedis definitely holds nothing back in this book and his descriptions and articulate language is captivating. I have a new found appreciation for Anthony. Takes a lot of courage to open yourself up this way and let anyone who decides to read this book inside his mind. You will not be disappointed. I highly recommend it for any music enthusiast, or just your regular RHCP's fan. Your missing out if you don't pick this up.
18 out of 22 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I didn't think that I would get such a great read from Anthony Kiedis. His lyricism is reflected through the writing and makes it a beautiful read. His story is shocking and outrageous and I couldn't help but feel compassion through his struggle with drug addiction.
One of the best books I've read in a while. I could not put it down! I definitely recommend!
7 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Mon May 14 00:00:00 EDT 2012
It was one word dissapointing
5 out of 11 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I'd recommend this book to anybody, even to those who aren't big fans of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Really great read! Check it out!
5 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Mon Mar 26 00:00:00 EDT 2012
I was really looking forward to reading this book being such a huge fan of AK and RHCP and was really disappointed. He really portraited himself as a user of anything and everything he came in contact with. I did appreciate the realness but do see him in a different light.
4 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Mon Jan 09 00:00:00 EST 2012
This book certainly delivered the insane stories of adventure, drug escapades, and life wisdom that i expected. For any fan of the chili peppers, whether diehard or casual, it is certainly worth the read. The book does get somewhat repetitive as the constant stories of drug abuse and sexual adventures become muddled together. However, it is still a gripping read and i would absolutely reccomend it.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Mon Jan 09 00:00:00 EST 2012
Will buy hardcopy to add to my collection. Great read.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sat Feb 13 00:00:00 EST 2010
This book was a remarkable story of Anthony Kiedis's life. The singer of Red hot chili peppers! After I read this book I bought all of his cds!!!! I highly recommend this book i could not put it down once I started reading it! It is pretty intense and alot of drugs he did, so if your not into that i wouldn't read it! What an awesome book! I will read it again and again and again!!!
4 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sun Jan 06 00:00:00 EST 2013
A poetic tell all tale of AK's journey from 13 year old drug user to rock & rolls biggest star. The words glide accross the page seemlessly as RHCP lyircs are connected with AK life experiences. Why wouldnt one of the greatest lyricists of all time NOT produce a masterpiece? Beautifully written. READ IT!
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Wed Feb 22 00:00:00 EST 2012
Having its obvious moments of crudeness, this book gives you a new appreciation for his band. Anthony is a candid, honest character that speaks his mind. He gives you the play by play of how he is who he is a doesn't leave out the gory unflattering details to gain popularity. I have a new respect for him now. This book is a very quick read and enjoyable.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Fri Dec 16 00:00:00 EST 2005
Interesting to read, but if you want to know what the book is about, I can sum it up with the following: I was high, then I quit. I was high, then I quit. I was high, then I quit. I was high......you get the picture. Gets stale after awhile and I question those who 'kiss and tell' in their bio books. I'm sure glad I was never in a relationship with Anthony Keidis or else I would have to explicitly read about it. He is too young to have written this book. Certainly he can't be hard up for money, but I question his motive.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Thu Nov 21 00:00:00 EST 2013
It was a good read but was very heavy with fluff about every single sexual encounter he had. Some of that peppered in is fine but it started to get a little boring reading about girl after girl. I did respect the parts where Anthony opens up about his family and some of the sadness he has had to endure. I'd recommend it but be ready to skim through some repetitive sex and drug abuse stories.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Wed May 01 00:00:00 EDT 2013
I have read some of the more negative reviews, and I have to say I'm surprised by some of the comments. His crazy addictions to everything are a turn off? Really? What on earth did people expect from a rock star? I read some complaints that it was repetitive. That's part of the whole story of addiction. It IS repetitive.......it's that behavior, doing the same crazy stuff over and over.....that is the hallmark of being an addict. Yes, this is raw, and at times , very disturbing. A.K. succeeded in capturing what it feels like to be in THAT deep , and he pulls no punches, nor does he glamorize any of it. Its not easy to show such a dark side of yourself, and I give him a lot of credit.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Thu Jan 10 00:00:00 EST 2013
Makes laugh, makes your jaw drop, and sometimes just gives you that warm fuzzy feeling. Never a dull moment
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Mon Dec 31 00:00:00 EST 2012
So far so good
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Thu May 17 00:00:00 EDT 2012
Amazing
This book was recommend to me by friend and I'm personally not a fan of reading, but this book was something else. After reading the first five pages I couldn't put the book down, and that says a lot because I'm not a fan of reading. Kiedis really illustrates his life down to the point with accuracy, the tales of his sex life and the role that drugs partook in his life from an early age. Explaining the origins of Red Hot Chili Peppers, how they came to be, how they got their name, and their early stunts as a band. I felt this was a great book to really emphasize the life that musicians deal with the sex, drugs, and rock n' roll, also showing Kiedis's personal endeavors struggling with drug abuse, and the many failed attempts to get clean. His failing relationships with many woman, although he may have had plenty of sexual experience he was never capable of actually maintaining a long relationship. Overall the book was simply amazing, good read and I recommend it to fans of RHCP or those who would like to see the life that musicians adapt.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Thu Mar 15 00:00:00 EDT 2012
I still wouldn't let anyone just read this because of some the photos and mentioned acts of mayhem.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Mon Oct 09 00:00:00 EDT 2006
who knew u could go thru so much and still be alive. this book was so interestin i really did not want to stop reading. i would definitely recommend this book to ppl who want a good read.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sat Sep 06 00:00:00 EDT 2014
wowowwowowowowow
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Overview
Now in paperback, the New York Times bestseller by one of rock's most provocative figures
Scar Tissue is Anthony Kiedis's searingly honest memoir of a life spent in the fast lane. In 1983, four self-described "knuckleheads" burst out of the mosh-pitted mosaic of the neo-punk rock scene in L.A. with their own unique brand of cosmic hardcore mayhem funk. Over twenty years later, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, against all odds, have become one of the most successful bands in the world....