Anthony Kiedis Memoir 'Scar Tissue' Becomes HBO Series

by Jarrett Martineau | November 12, 2008 at 02:02 pm

6969 views | 5 Recommendations | 12 comments

Anthony Kiedis, lead singer of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, is having his best-selling rock memoir 'Scar Tissue' turned into a television series for HBO.

Chili Peppers fans everywhere are rejoicing and suggesting that this could be a watershed moment in music television history.

Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman Anthony Kiedis is developing a series for HBO based on his unconventional, rock 'n' roll childhood.

Kiedis has partnered with Catapult 360 partners Marc Abrams and Michael Benson to create the series, tentatively titled "Scar Tissue."

The autobiographical material Kiedis has to work with is compelling stuff.

The show will also center on West Hollywood and Los Angeles in the early 1970s, including the rock stars encountered by Kiedis and his father (who, according to lore, was a drug dealer for the Who and Led Zeppelin, among others).

Kiedis plans to be heavily involved in the project and is regularly corresponding with his father, who now lives in Portland, to record memories of their life 30 years ago on Palm Avenue in West Hollywood.

Kiedis himself battled addiction for many years and the anecdotes of his roller coaster rock star life will provide ample fodder for television greatness.

Can HBO pull it off? The Guardian believes they can.

Kiedis spent years in the grip of addiction (though he doesn't sound like he regrets much of it) before emerging as a rehab bore (and didn't sobriety ruin his band?). And there are serious conversations to be had about responsible parenting and the glamorisation of substance abuse. But we won't be having those debates here. If the series is packed with half the rock'n'roll war stories, stranger-than-fiction anecdotes and crazed characters as the book, then it promises to be the next great US TV show, hinging on a surprisingly touching story of a father and son. The get out clause being that you know, eventually, there is a happy ending.

If that sounds shocking for US TV, then only a channel with as much intelligence and class as HBO could pull it off.

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Bellus Vita

at 19:13 on November 12th, 2008

I have been a Red Hot Chili Peppers fan for quite a long time and have greatly admired Anthony Kiedis after reading his autobiography two times. However, he did not impress me during the concert where I took the photo that I posted (Orlando 2007). Although Flea, John and Chad were beyond entertaining, I was a little disappointed in Kiedis' attitude...it seemed that he did not want to be there. I still admire him though for all that he's been through and all that he continues to accomplish. I look forward to tuning in to "Scar Tissue" when it premiers on HBO.

Bellus Vita has contributed a photo to this story.

zahner (not verified)

at 23:19 on November 13th, 2008

i too am a huge chili pepper fan and have read keidis' autobiography twice. i agree, that john, flea and chad are among a few at the pinnacle of rock and roll legend. each of which -- among others -- have played more than a major role in shaping who anthony has become. but, if you payed attention to what you were reading, Bellus Vita, anthony admits to not being the talented rock star that he has been made to be. i have seen him and heard exactly what i expected and as i expect is exactly what you heard -- a at best, a mediocre singer. that is because his singing has not made him who he has, his life has. just like anthony has not made the chili peppers who they are, the other three did... or just about.

GJS (not verified)

at 12:36 on March 10th, 2009

I do not know if I totally agree with what you just said. I did not read all of Scar Tissue yet, I am only about halfway through. I was just in barnes&noble one day and didn't even know about it and picked it up and had to buy it after reading about 50 pgs. But to say that Anthony Kiedis is a mediocre singer is only half true. He is not what some people would call talented, and you say maybe if Bellus Vita read closer they would see that he is not the talented rock star he has been made to be, and knowing that I have not read the book I don't know what he said he thought he was. But what I think is that he is a sick and a great frontman. Anthony's energy, stage presence, and wild attitude are among his attributes that make him a great singer. The lyrics that (I'm preeeeeeeeeeeeeeettttttttty sure) he writes are over the top amazing in my opinion. If you're talking about the quality of his singing and the precision of it, no it is not great and I do not believe it is near great but the lyrics energy personality and attitude of his are what make him a great great singer. TRUUF

wesley divine (not verified)

at 23:45 on November 15th, 2008

fuck yeah im the biggerst fuckin rhcp fan

Jessica Martinez (not verified)

at 11:49 on November 19th, 2008

i want to watch it so bad but i don't have HBO!!!

Liz.Plaza (not verified)

at 12:26 on December 3rd, 2008

Hey What's up people if your into the REDHOTS cool !!!

I Love Anthony with all my heart ,his lyrics kick ass ,and he is my inspiration .I am a song writer as well ,and singer .The REst of the band is the shit ,thye are the best musicians in the world .

Well ne-ways I can not wait to see the series .I will get HBO just to see it .

Well if any of you would to be friends ,because we are into the same music check me out on my space .Look me of under mushroombluegoddess peace and love be with you always

jbus (not verified)

at 14:35 on December 26th, 2008

You're not giving Anthony enough credit as a lyricist. His lyrics are unique and directly relate to the people in his life and the experiences he's been through. His voice is his own and he doesn't sound like anybody else I've ever heard. Just because he hasn't been studying vocal technique since he was 4 doesn't mean his performances will be "disappointing". John, Flea, and Chad are all fantastically talented and bring their own things to the band, but Anthony definitely has an equal place in it too.

Fo (not verified)

at 22:07 on January 4th, 2009

Its alll good, all great, but i dont have a clue of when tihs HBO thing its gonna be premiered..... anyways.... I'd like to know that, if anyone knowa anything please let me know.... thanks. Just for the record i was very disappointed on Stadium Arcadium, im so looking foreward to their next album, and i realy hope they make it Old School !!!!!!! Bring back THE red hot chili peppers !!!!! if you know what i mean by THE. ;) .

OK, bye RHCP rules

MA Ebersbach (not verified)

at 12:33 on January 30th, 2009

YAY! i can't wait for this. anthony is my idol and i've always been interested in his past for some reason, but I havn't had the chance to read scar tissue yet :( but i plan to read it a.s.a.p.

Kevin Donnelly (not verified)

at 14:21 on February 8th, 2009

I read this book man, just reading it alone is crazy, this show will be a big hit no doubt about it.

Kelly Scott (not verified)

at 08:47 on March 25th, 2009

I LOVE IT!

tati (not verified)

at 16:15 on June 11th, 2009

they all built they're glory, with no exception, but i really care more about anthony (please shut your mouth before you say he's a mediocre singer, you should've paid more attention on the book) he's so the best, scar tissue is amazing, i'm brazilian and i've read it in english, i can say that was hard to me, i can't understand every little tiny word but it's so amazing, you should all read, and became a serie... i dont know what to say :O its the greatest thing eveer!