How Red Hot Chili Pepper’s Frontman Anthony Kiedis Proposed To Debbie Harry

Prepare to be surprised by a truly unique story from the annals of rock and roll. We’re diving into the unlikely encounter between Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Anthony Kiedis and Blondie’s Debbie Harry.

These iconic figures, hailing from opposite coasts and musical styles, found themselves at the center of a strange and unforgettable moment.

Anthony Kiedis, in his memoir Scar Tissue, details the wild world he inhabited as a teenager living in Los Angeles with his free-spirited actor father. This environment, though unconventional, exposed him to some of music’s biggest names.

One such encounter, involving a young Kiedis and the legendary Blondie frontwoman, would become a story for the ages.

A wild upbringing in California

In 1974, at the tender age of 12, Kiedis moved to California to live with his father, John Michael Kiedis, who went by the stage name Blackie Dammett. Fresh off a stint in Europe, Blackie harbored dreams of Hollywood stardom.

While waiting for his big break, he resorted to selling drugs to make ends meet. This unconventional lifestyle exposed Anthony to a world far removed from childhood normalcy.

One particularly vivid memory Kiedis recounts is his first encounter with drugs. His father, sitting with a young woman, offered him a joint. Though hesitant at first, Kiedis took a puff, experiencing a newfound sensation.

He described it as a soothing medicine, awakening his senses. This seemingly casual introduction to drugs would have a profound impact on his life.

Exposure to rock royalty

Living with his father, Anthony found himself thrust into a world brimming with rock and roll royalty. As Blackie Dammett’s runner, the young Kiedis rubbed shoulders with some of the 70s’ biggest names.

From David Bowie and Led Zeppelin to Talking Heads, his exposure to these musical giants undoubtedly shaped his own artistic development. This connection to the music scene also fostered a rebellious spirit in Kiedis, inspired by the burgeoning punk movement.

Both Kiedis and his father were avid fans of punk and new wave throughout the late 70s. They embraced the nascent Los Angeles scene and the influx of bands arriving from the East Coast, particularly New York.

Infamous venues like the Sunset Strip and The Whisky-A-Go-Go became their stomping grounds, where they experienced the raw energy of these new musical forces. One such band that arrived on the West Coast with a burgeoning reputation was Blondie.

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A starstruck encounter

Blondie, the reigning monarchs of new wave, arrived in LA to much fanfare. Their latest album, a captivating blend of punk rock and pop sensibilities, had garnered critical and commercial success. 

The band’s enigmatic lead singer, Debbie Harry, became the focus of much adoration, showered with roses by captivated fans. The excitement reached a fever pitch as Blondie opened for the Ramones, and Kiedis, along with his father, found themselves attending the after-party.

In Scar Tissue, Kiedis describes the profound impact Blondie had on him. Their debut album held a special place in his heart, and he was utterly smitten with Debbie Harry. Mustering his courage, a young Kiedis, likely emboldened by his budding charm, approached Harry with an unexpected proposition.

Harry herself recalled the incident, although in her mind little Anthony was much younger. “I did have one [proposal] from Anthony from the Red Hot Chilli Peppers when he was about eight! I treasure that. I had to let him down gently.”

The confidence of a Red Hot Chili Pepper

Imagine a young, fifteen-year-old Anthony, brimming with self-assuredness. This bravado is a key part of what makes him such a successful frontman. It’s the same confidence that led him to ask, well, a very famous and attractive person, to marry him at such a young age.

Of course, the story of his self-confidence doesn’t end there. Kiedis’s self-assuredness has translated into a long and successful music career. He and the Red Hot Chili Peppers have become one of the biggest rock bands in the world.