Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Flea is not overtly keen on posing for photos with fans, likening the experience to a “transaction”, as opposed to something more meaningful.
The guitarist whose real name is Michael Bazarly, became embroiled in an online debate with several fans, after Luke Vesley shared footage of them meeting RHCP’s Anthony Kiedes and Flea before a recent show.
“Flea and (Anthony), thank you for being so kind and genuine while meeting us. You both are such rays of sunshine”, Vesley wrote. “You didn’t have to stop and chat but you did and I hope you know that you really impacted our lives”.
See this footage below.
@flea333 thank you (and AK) for being so kind and genuine while meeting us, you both are such rays of sunshine, you didn’t have to stop and chat but you did and i hope you know that you really impacted our lives. we love you and AK with all of our hearts!💛@ChiliPeppers
— jeremy (@luke_vesely) August 5, 2022
Chili Peppers “comfortable in the moment”
After the video was posted, one fan commented that it was not too often that Red Hot Chili Peppers interacted with fans.
“I was very surprised to see AK talk with fans. This is the only video on this tour that I have seen him do this”, they said.
Vesley then explained that “perhaps he just felt comfortable in that moment, none of my friends nor I asked for a photo or autograph or anything we just talked so maybe that had to do with his interaction with us”.
This was later confirmed by Flea. He added “it’s because you all generated a kind and gentle light, and you didn’t ask for a picture. We are always down to talk and chat, asking for a photo ruins it instantly”.
It’s because you all generated a kind and gentle light, and you didn’t ask for a picture. We are always down to talk and chat, asking for a photo ruins it instantly. https://t.co/ZbQPrquHes
— Flea (@flea333) August 5, 2022
Another fan enquired “what’s wrong with asking for a picture”, which Flea responded by saying, “there’s nothing wrong with it. But it ruins having actual conversation. It is a transaction”.
He also added, “I have never asked anyone to take a photo with me once in my life”.
Last month, Red Hot Chili Peppers were forced to cancel a gig in Glasgow due to illness. More on this from Nova here.
