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Scar Tissue cover art

Scar Tissue

Written by: Anthony Kiedis,Larry Sloman
Narrated by: Rider Strong
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Publisher's Summary

As lead singer and songwriter for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Anthony Kiedis has lived life on the razor's edge. Much has been written about him, but until now we've only had his songs as clues to his experience from the inside. In Scar Tissue, Kiedis proves himself to be as compelling a memoirist as he is a lyricist, giving us a searingly honest account of the life from which his music has evolved.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers are that rare breed of rock band: critically lauded and popularly embraced by millions of fans, their albums consistently sell into the stratosphere - their CD Californication sold over 13 million copies alone.

Now, in Scar Tissue, Anthony Kiedis defies the rock star clichés. In his telling, we can see everything he has done has been part of a passionate journey. Kiedis is a man "in love with everything" - the darkness, the death, the disease. Even his descent into drug addiction was a part of that journey; another element that he has transformed into art. Scar Tissue is a fascinating account of a fast-lane life, addiction, and a moving story of eventual recovery and redemption.

©2004 Anthony Kiedis (P)2010 Phoenix Audio

What the critics say

"Kiedis’s narrative of the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ dues-paying years is vivid and inspiring." ( Newsweek)

What listeners say about Scar Tissue

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Disgusted

I cant stand the glorification of rancid lifestyles. If you are triggered by talk of addiction or sexual activity including minors, take caution.

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3 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Sex Drugs and Rock n' Roll

A couple of months ago I read the much superior "Life", autobiography of Keith Richards. Both incredibly talented guys who lived through some crazy stuff. Both guys should be dead. Richards states things very matter-of-factly while Kiedis' story is similarly amazing, but his ego shows through. He tries to be self-deprecating but I get the impression he is actually pretty proud of the things he went through. We get it, buddy, you were f*cked up.

The dude thinks like an addict. He sorely wants to be known as a good guy, and he probably is generally, but it's pretty clear he was, and still is, pretty selfish. I am surprised his editors never pointed out that every episode can't be "the best sex either of us ever had". Every time?

Rider Strong is a fair reader, but a bit dramatic and sounds like a little punk. Appropriate to the subject matter I guess.

This one rates 7.5 out of 10 stars.

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3 people found this helpful

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great book. made me obsessed with john fruciante.

my favorite war story music book.

only complaint is when the narrator voice acted an angry dialogue, he sounded kinda like napolean dynamite

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1 person found this helpful

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Loved this crazy story

This was chalked full with love and compassion with dark downward spirals. Truly worth a listen if you're a fan of the chilli peppers

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Overall a fascinating story

Overall a fascinating story of one of rocks most interesting front men. From the very top, to the bottom to the top again. Excellent narration from the audiobook reader. He captured the spirit and emotion to a tee.

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what a life!

Fascinating life that made me wonder how could he ever remember it all?
I'm not a crazy Red Hot Chilli Peppers fan but they are definitely in the soundtrack of my life. I used to sing under the bridge to my baby brother in 1992 so hearing about why he wrote was intriguing. I recommend this book to anyone that grew up with the chilli peppers, anyone that struggles with addiction and to anyone that likes colourful autobiographies.

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Crazy lifestyle, crazy stories

It’s heartwarming at the end to hear Anthony get clear and sober. The ugly truth about addiction is laid bare. Nothing is pretty or glossed over. Kudos to him for changing his life and being of service to others.

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I want my money back. Stupid

The narrator is pretty good. From Boy Meets world fame, Rider Strong, is easy to listen to. He has a pleasant voice and does not seem to get in the way of the content.
My mom taught me if I can't say anything nice to not say anything at all so I won't say anything about the misogynistic liar whom this is about

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Dodging bullets and living to tell about it

What an unbelievable recount of one’s life, especially while being under the influence for over half of it. I have so many questions, but enjoyed this audible the most amongst any other. Special kudos goes out to the narrator for his voice as it lent itself probably better than Anthony himself, such a pleasure listening to him. Highly recommend this book to anyone.

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Unreal

Wow just minding blow all the things this guy does to himself I loved this book

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  • The Kruels
  • 2011-08-16

Not A Favorite

Rock biographies are my favorite genre so, eventually, I had to read Scar Tissue. Full disclosure: I've been putting it off for 2 years because I haven't really liked the RHCP since Blood Sugar Sex Magik. (Though I adore Flea.) So, I finally downloaded Scar Tissue. First, let me say, I think the narrator is - while not terrible - certainly not worthy and didn't make me feel like I was listening to the words of Anthony Kiedis. It was like listening to a 17 year old high school junior reading Anthony Kiedis. (Go ahead, listen to the sample.) Because of this, I could never really get completely immersed in the book. His young, squeaky, and innocent voice didn't vibe with the often dark and always debaucherous tales. But if you can past that, which I couldn't quite do all the time, then the story being shared is essentially this: Anthony's dad was the kind of parent who made his kid be his hang out and drug buddy so AK developed unhealthy drug and girl habits very early in life and has pretty much been to be unable to control these urges for most of his life. "OK", you might say. "That's the story of rock-n-roll!" Yeah, true. But usually reading a rock bio makes me like the band and the person even more because I form a connection and deeper appreciation of the artist and the music. Well, perhaps I do feel a bit of that but I was disappointed nonetheless. Kiedis came off as decent guy who's very easily distracted, a little outrageous, and a lot immature. Oh, wait. Maybe that narrator did a good job after all!

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28 people found this helpful

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  • Kathy Shea
  • 2018-05-22

Rider Strong SUCKS

Rider Strong is, by no means, qualified to talk about Anthony Kiedis’ gnarly, fast-paced life. Over the course of the audio book, I wasn’t sure if I was listening to a little league baseball game or the biography of one of the most influential rockers of our generation. Otherwise, great story.

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  • Michelle
  • 2014-03-13

The Sexcapades of Anthony Kedis

What did you love best about Scar Tissue?

I enjoyed hearing the musical biography of Anthony Kedis and Red Hot Chili Peppers.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I wanted to hear more stories about the music, the band, the road to stardom, behind-the-scenes stories, etc. I would have cut out a lot of the sex stories, which seemed grandiose anyway. This seemed more like a sexual memoir more than anything. I caught myself rolling my eyes a lot. There were a couple other stories in there where I thought, "Really?! C'mon!" There are some egotistical parts that seem seriously embellished and unbelievable. I don't want to say which ones because I don't want to ruin the book for anyone.

Any additional comments?

From the book it sounds like success just fell into Anthony Kedis' lap. He just happened to know these guys who had a band, and because he danced and thrashed around (because he didn't have any musical talent) he became the lead singer. Also, sobriety seemed very casual to him, like that was easy and just fell into his lap too, despite repeated relapses. Although I listened through the whole book, I have less respect for Anthony Kedis now than I did before listening. I don't think that should happen, but it did.

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18 people found this helpful

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  • Cuz Burchett
  • 2018-01-22

Great book. Horrible narration.

The story is real good but the reader SUCKS!!! I hope to God I never hear him reading another book. I can’t tell you how many times I almost threw in the towel because the sound of his voice literally angered me. This is not a career this guy should continue in one more day.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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  • Nicole
  • 2011-02-23

Up Close and Personal with Anthony Kiedis

Not only is this book completely entertaining through out the entire pligrimage of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kiedis makes you feel as if you were actually right there living the whole experience with him. I have always enjoyed RHCP but now through hearing about his memories and relationships with the band members, I can honestly say that I have a new found appreciation for the band. One thing I also really enjoyed thanks to youtube- is that as you are listening, you can watch parts of concerts or interviews Kiedis refers to in the novel which provides an excellent reality to his work and its really amusing to know what his thoughts are as he's singing or strung out.. Also, the way Anthony describes his struggle with addiction is riviting.. you truly learn what an addict dreams and feels everyday. I would highly reccomend this book to anyone who wants to listen to entertaining book that opens your mind to a story about a struggling drug addict facing the realities of success, fame and funky music :)

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  • Terry
  • 2018-12-24

Disturbing story of a junkie rockstar pedophile.

I always heard negative rumors about this dude. I thought since he is a recovering addict that I might relate to the guy, but definitely not. This book has no redeeming qualities with the exception of the narrarator. I now dislike him even more so than before. He was dating teenagers when he was in his twenties and he continues to date teenagers in his fifties. What a scumbag.

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9 people found this helpful

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  • Steven
  • 2013-07-08

Candid insight into hard-core life of rock icon

If you could sum up Scar Tissue in three words, what would they be?

Facinating, pathetic, mind-numbing

What was one of the most memorable moments of Scar Tissue?

Very insightful explanation and person experiences relating to lyrics of "Scar Tissue"

What about Rider Strong’s performance did you like?

Overall very good narration and shifting of voices made it seem like you were listening to actual characters.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Times when Anthony Keidis realized the joy of his own sobriety

Any additional comments?

Was a great fan of the RHCP before book and now, with explanations of odd song lyrics and history I've become even more enamored by them.

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6 people found this helpful

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  • Amber Reichert
  • 2021-09-27

hate the narrarator. return money. cant listen

hate the narrarator. return money. cant listen. not a good voice. did not get past ibtro

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  • Ezche
  • 2018-09-14

Phenomenal Story, Horrifically Mismatched Narrator

Kiedis' autobiography is filled with visceral anecdotes that are read by someone who couldn't sound more unlike the RHCP singer. Listening to a chapter in my car was so irritating that I began to become physically ill.

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  • Andy Enright
  • 2021-11-11

Coke, Heroin, Sex...Meh...

Pretty disappointed with this book. I understand he was trying to tell the story of his addiction, but how about a little insight into the music or life in the band? That is why people care about your story in the first place. All just about relapses sprinkled with frat boyish brags about the quality and quantity of girls he draws. Meh...
Oh and I didn't like the narration at all.

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  • G. Moreau
  • 2022-08-10

Désabonnement compliqué

Il pourrait être plus simple de se désabonner. Il faut chercher la réponse trop longtemps.

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