Acid for the Children

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New York Times Bestseller, LA Times Bestseller, and USA Today Bestseller, this memoir captures a youth spent wild in Los Angeles through the lens of the iconic bassist and Red Hot Chili Peppers co-founder. With "virtuosic vulnerability" (The Atlantic), the author offers a raw and riveting coming-of-age narrative that spans his formative years from Australia to the New York City suburbs and finally to Los Angeles. Through a blend of hilarious anecdotes, poetic reflections, and flights of fantasy, he chronicles the experiences that shaped him as an artist and young man. His jazz-inflected prose vividly brings to life the gritty, glorious Los Angeles of the 1970s and 80s, a landscape filled with fun, danger, and inspiration. Escaping a turbulent home, he found family among a community of musicians, artists, and junkies on the fringe, spending his days partying and committing petty crimes. Yet, it was music that provided him a higher purpose, allowing him to channel his frustrations and loneliness. This journey culminated in the life-changing decision to form a band with his closest friends, ultimately leading to the creation of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. This debut memoir showcases a stunning literary voice, delivering a tender, evocative story that celebrates the transformative power of music and creativity.