It's been nearly forty years since Hillel Slovak died at the all-too-young age of 26 from an accidental heroin overdose, and Flea's heart still aches for his friend and bandmate.
"It was devastating," said Flea, 63, in a new interview with MOJOmagazine (h/t Louder). "Just unbelievable. When it happened, I was so shocked I just fell on the floor, gasping for air."
A former high school classmate of Flea and Anthony Kiedis, Slovak was instrumental in establishing the Red Hot Chili Peppers' sound. He blended speed metal, reggae, and classic rock into the band's funk base, creating a musical landscape that helped the band build a following among funk fans, metalheads, and hardcore punks.
(L-R) Jack Irons, Hillel Slovak (1962 - 1988), Flea (born Michael Balzary), and Anthony Kiedis.Photo by Gary Gershoff on Getty Images
Though he left the band briefly before the band recorded their 1984 debut album, he returned in time for 1985's Freaky Styley and 1987's The Uplift Mofo Party Plan.
"When Anthony and I met him, we were young. We were out hitchhiking the street, and we saw him and he had a car. He was f--king 16, and he had a car! A Datsun 510," Flea told MOJO. "He had a stereo in the car, and he was smoking weed and listening to [Led] Zeppelin. He gave us a ride, and I think he gave us some weed. He showed me Jimi Hendrix and Jeff Beck and then the Gang Of Four, all this stuff."
"I looked up to him. I was in love with him," remarked Flea. "He was a beautiful boy and troubled like all of us were, difficulties at home, difficulties everywhere. His guitar playing was beautiful, his hair, the way he dressed… everything. A beautiful friend. And really sadly, a drug addict, heroin, and he didn't make it through."
Since his death, the Red Hot Chili Peppers have written many songs about and inspired by Hillel, including "Knock Me Down," "Dosed," "My Lovely Man," "Feasting on the Flowers," and "Otherside."
Flea will release his debut solo album, Honora, on March 27. When sharing the album's artwork, Flea explained that the cover photograph is of his mother-in-law, taken in Iran in the late 60's. Flea described her as "a strong Persian woman, and the spirit of a free Iran lives in her heart."
Those expecting another Red Hot Chili Peppers album will be surprised. Honora will see Flea a "returning to his first instrument and musical love, the trumpet" as he constructs "a dream band of modern jazz visionaries."
The album's lead single, "A Plea," is a "yearning for a place beyond, a place of love, for me to speak my mind and be myself…I think there is a much more transcendent place above it where there's discourse to be had that can actually help humanity, and actually help us all to live harmoniously and productively in a way that's healthy for the world. There's a place where we meet, and it's love."
Related: '60s Motown Legend Voted 'Greatest Bassist of All Time' by Fellow Musicians
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