An Uplifting Antidote to "A Million Little Whining Pieces."

Having read "Scar Tissue," the Grammy success of The Red Hot Chili Peppers' excellent "Stadium Arcadium" feels like a win for the home team. In "Scar Tissue," Anthony Kiedis, their spirited 40-something lead singer, details his unconventional upbringing and drug-addled past with unshrinking detail.

This is one rock bio that could also be included in the "had wacky parents but succeded anyway" category, a la "The Glass Castle," and "Running with Scissors." You have to read it to believe what this kid was up to before he even hit his teens.

Yet what I took away from Kiedis' story was that he did not blame anyone else for his eventual problems. He took full responsibility for his addictions and did not fall into the "poor me" trap. (And he could easily be excused for blaming the father who gave him drugs as a child!) But he also takes no responsibility for the death of founding bandmate Hillel Slovak's death from drugs early on in the band's history. Most people would be racked with guilt if they had introduced a friend to drugs who ended up OD'ing. I thought that was interesting.

The tongue-in-cheek explanations of his inner dialogues as he made excuses for using again are priceless. This guy does not take himself too seriously, and you really grow to like him and root for him as his story unfolds. How he found the strength time and again to take the wheel of his own life only to give it up again to drugs really is a compelling read.

His disgust with himself for relapsing was palpable. Anyone who has ever done something as simple as break a diet can relate. He has a great way of expressing himself so that you know exactly what he means and how he felt.

Kiedis does have an over-the-top personality. But we can forgive him for that. You have to have that type of screaming confidence to get up on a stage and share your stuff with the world.

Over all "Scar Tissue" is a very satisfying book. You can't help but love the guy, and cross your fingers he continues to stay clean. After 20+ years, the Peppers music still either gets you moving, or is moving. Here's to 20+ more!