We Must See It Before It’s Too Late - Flea’s Search For Connection

I met Flea sitting on the beach by himself in Mexico. I didn't recognize him at first, I was just walking down the beach and walked by a guy sitting there cross-legged looking at the ocean, and he called out to me because I was wearing an SXSW t-shirt. I had just come from the event for that year, 2001. He said 'Hey were you at SXSW this year?' I stopped walking and said yeah I was. He said 'cool some friends of mine from a band called Thelonius Monster were there too.' I walked closer to him and said yeah I know Thelonius Monster, great band. Then he asked 'Did you catch any new bands that were good?'  I still didn't recognize him. He had a pretty thick full beard and his hair was longer than the usual Flea style. I went over and sat next to him on the sand, figuring well this guy seriously wants to hear what I saw at the festival so might as well indulge him. I remember raving about Mogwai, who were still relatively new to the US at the time, and he was bobbing his head, yeah, I love Mogwai. Then I talked about Train, from SFO, whose show I liked a lot. He knew them. Then I mentioned Vallejo, from Texas, and Flea didn't know the name. He wanted to know what their music was like, and I said 'Well they play that mix of white punk, funk, and hip-hop that's so popular these days.' By this time I'm looking right into his face and idiot that I am, I still haven't clocked who he was. I guess he couldn't stand it any longer, and he said, "Hey I'm with a band from LA that kind of started that sound you're talking about,' and laughing, and at that point I happened to look down at his hands and saw his inked knuckles, and went 'Christ, you're Flea.' I asked what he was doing there. It turned out he was renting a small house right next to mine on that beach (La Cachora, Todos Santos). He said the band was on a two-week break between recording and touring, and that he wanted to go to Thailand and meditate, but didn't think two weeks was long enough to do the long trip, so he picked Todos Santos instead and was meditating in the cabana next door. We talked about other bands, and about traveling, which he obviously loved. He wrote his email address on the scrap of a paperback book cover after I offered to give him tips on Thailand, since I was spending half the year there then, but of course I lost it pretty soon after that. I didn't see him again on the beach or anywhere else in town, that was it.

Flea, I'm 54 and have struggled with depression my whole life. After my wife passed 4 1/2 years ago I have resorted back to a very introverted and lonely existence. Hearing your words and learning that you have dedicated so much to helping those creative kids have a chance to do what they love sure made me smile. Thank you.

He’s an amazing musician but an even better man.

"arts, academics and athletics, all being of equal importance" ... amen to that.

Flea is ethereal. There is something in his eyes that is so compelling.

The 50's are an incredible age to be and Flea is in the same spot many of us find ourselves in later in life. Sobriety is a hell of a drug.

So glad I clicked on this. Not the biggest RHCP fan but have always liked his playing and knew that he was a very spiritual man from interviews in the early 90's.

Wow, this guy is raw emotion. He speaks from the heart at all times. This almost led me to tears. Music can really save and make lives. Being in the moment is the key to actually living. I hope our culture is finally going to acknowledge that and teach this to future generations.

Flea is an international treasure and shining light. We should all aspire to be like Flea.

Everyone in this world could use a good friend like that for life. Most of us never have that. I am happy for Michael.

Flea is an angel on earth. Inspirational, generous and like all humans flawed. Yet he gives himself to the world.

I will love Flea until the day I die

Flea is a special guy. Such a good cause for the kids. He's come along way he should be proud of himself. When Flea said when the universe was forcing him to sit still and to deal with himself hit home hard. I've struggled with alcoholism for a long time been running for too long finally dealing with it sober without covering up my emotions and trauma.

Thank you, Flea, for being YOU!!!!!!!!!

He is so well spoken. So smart. A great inspirational gem of our society.

The eternal sunshine of the spotless mind.

A big kudos to Flea for starting the music school. I really appreciated the fact that the emphasis was not placed on being famous, but rather the process of learning. When school systems drop their art and music programs, the kids lose out tremendously. Thanks to Flea for bringing this opportunity to many when the school systems have so grievously failed.

This guy is a light source ❤

FLEA... I LOVe this man. I play music & love life because of his influence on me.

I watched RHCP for the first time in Tororto last year. I went by myself because I have no friends I can trust at the moment. I find peace and happiness writing music on my own. After watching them I admired how the four of them seemed to connect so well. So happy they have each other. Love you Chilies!!