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This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

Arts & Entertainment

Everyone Hated Flea's Performance Of The National Anthem Before Last Night's Lakers Game

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Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist (and amateur beekeeper) Flea had the honor of performing the national anthem before Kobe Bryant's last hurrah, but for many his bass-only rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" dishonored Old Glory.

The aggrieved who were able to tweet last night (unlike the official @Lakers account) voiced their disapproval. "Hendrix you are not, Flea," seemed to be the consensus. As the New York Daily News put it, Flea "may have to go hide under a bridge." Har har.

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Questlove liked it, at least:

Flea doesn't care about you, haters. He's probably still riding the high off opening for the finale of his favorite player. "I've watched, listened to or at least read about pretty much every game that Kobe Bryant played his entire career," Flea told Rolling Stone. "And I see someone who put a lot of stock in discipline and work ethic and nurturing his creativity. I just have always respected him so much—even when he was young and arrogant and foolish and you know, arguably self-centered. He's always meant so much to me."

Later that night after the game, the bassist told TMZ: "I rocked that shit!"

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