Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea has paid a heartfelt tribute to his late friend and bandmate, Hillel Slovak, who died at the age of 26 due to an accidental heroin overdose on June 25, 1988, in Los Angeles. Slovak, a co-founding member of the band and a significant influence on Flea and vocalist Anthony Kiedis, passed away at home, with his bandmates learning of his death two days later.
Reflecting on the profound impact of Slovak’s life, Flea shared his emotional response in an interview with MOJO magazine. “It was devastating,” he recalled. “Just unbelievable. When it happened I was so shocked I just fell on the floor, gasping for air.” The loss of Slovak marked a pivotal moment in Flea’s life, as the two had shared formative experiences during their youth.
Flea reminisced about meeting Slovak when they were young, describing a memorable encounter on the streets. “We were out hitch-hiking and saw him. He was 16 and had a car, a Datsun 510,” he recounted. “He had a stereo in the car, smoking weed and listening to [Led] Zeppelin. He gave us a ride and showed me Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, and the Gang Of Four. I looked up to him. I was in love with him. He was a beautiful boy and troubled, like all of us were.”
Slovak’s musical talent was matched by his struggles. Flea noted, “His guitar playing was beautiful, his hair, the way he dressed… everything. A beautiful friend. And really sadly, a drug addict.” The lasting impact of Slovak’s passing resonated within the band, leading them to honor him with the song “Knock Me Down,” featured on their 1989 album, Mother’s Milk.
At the time of Slovak’s death, Kiedis was in a relationship with Ione Skye, an actress known for her roles in films such as “Say Anything” and “Rivers Edge.” In her memoir, Say Everything, Skye recounts the night they learned of Slovak’s death. She describes how Bob Forrest, frontman of the band Thelonious Monster, called their home “crying so hard that he couldn’t get words out.” Kiedis, overwhelmed by grief, turned to heroin to numb the pain of losing his best friend. “Of course he was shooting up,” Skye wrote. “He’d just lost his best friend. Who wouldn’t numb that blow if they could?”
In a moment of reflection, Flea’s tribute to Slovak underscores the lasting impact of friendship and the challenges posed by addiction. As he continues to honor his late friend, Flea is set to release his debut solo album, Honora, on March 27, 2024, through Nonesuch Records. The album features original songs along with covers of classics, including Jimmy Webb’s “Wichita Lineman” and Funkadelic’s “Maggot Brain.” Prominent musicians such as Thom Yorke and Nick Cave will also make guest appearances on the album, showcasing Flea’s continued legacy in the music industry.
