Ever Wonder How ‘Flea’ Got His Nickname?
June 20, 2023 7:41PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – APRIL 08: Bassist Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers performs at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 08, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Image
There’s no doubt that Flea is one of the coolest nicknames in rock history. But how did the iconic Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist earn his moniker?
Turns out, it came from his future bandmate Anthony Kiedis when they were still teenagers in high school.
Flea’s real name is Michael Balzary, and Kiedis nicknamed him ‘Mickey B The Flea’ because he couldn’t sit still.
Eventually, it shortened to just ‘Flea’, and the rest is history.
Red Hot Chili Peppers are currently touring Europe and will return to the U.S. in late summer.
Did you have a nickname in high school? Do your old classmates still use it?
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