USC freshman class is loaded -- with celebrities

Believe it or not, there is a cool freshman at USC. His name is Michael Balzary.

You probably know him as Flea, the bassist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The legendary group has sold more than 50 million albums, won six Grammy Awards and topped the Modern Rock charts a record 11 times.

The 45-year-old is listed as an "undergraduate visitor" in USC's Thornton School of Music. Balzary probably has a leg up on most of his classmates, considering he founded the Silverlake Conservatory of Music and, oh, yeah ... is a rock icon. Although he's on campus several times per week, don't expect any dorm sightings -- Flea's a commuter student.

Besides collaborating with legendary artists such as Jane's Addiction, Nirvana and Alanis Morissette, Balzary has appeared in "The Big Lebowski," "My Own Private Idaho" and two of the "Back to the Future" movies. His latest "appearance" was at USC's football practice -- he stopped by after class because he heard a commotion. The Trojans were playing simulated crowd noise to mimic their upcoming road trip to Oregon State, and the practice field is adjacent to the music school.

You may know that Balzary is a huge sports fan and blogs about his beloved Lakers on NBA.com.

No word if the team will try a flea-flicker this season in his honor.

Of course, Balzary isn't the only music celebrity starting his undergraduate studies at USC this year. Percy Miller, better known in his rap career as Romeo (a.k.a. Lil' Romeo), is on scholarship to play basketball for the Trojans.

Update: Margaret Wapler of Soundboard just posted this interview with Flea where he talks more indepth about his musical goals at USC (which includes the jazz trumpet?), the status of the RHCP, and much more.

-- Adam Rose

Photo: Kristian Dowling/Getty Images

Comments

[Sarb]

Can't say I'm any kind of RHCP fan, but it's certainly impressive that Flea would further his music education, especially since he is already so accomplished. Ha ha. Romeo MIller. What an embarrassment that Floyd would give the kids a schollie. Yeah, I know, we couldn't have gotten the Compton kid without him, but is it worth the integrity of the program? Miller on a D-1 roster is laughable at best, so please put an asterisk next to his name when you refer to him as a celebrity Trojan athlete. Please?

[samantha]

Actors are getting in on the whole education thing too. James Franco is attendign Columbia this semester: http://www.collegeotr.com/columbia_university/james_franco_currently_attending_columbia_playing_allen_ginsberg_in_upcoming_film_11439

[pk-mesa]

Sarb did you ever play college basketball or any sport, don't put someone down until you have seen or competed against this person infact you never put down an opponent because if you do you have discounted your own accompishment

[ladani]

Sarb, Flea is white and you are impressed; Romeo is black and therefore laughable? Get a clue!

[Adam Rose]

Hey all -- just to clarify, I don't think Sarb's comments had anything to do with being anti USC or with race. He's actually referring to a controversial recruiting situation.

In recruiting circles, Miller is not considered a great basketball player. He didn't receive any scholarship offers from other major programs. Many speculate that the only reason he was given a scholarship at USC was part of a package deal, guaranteeing that his close friend (a superstar player from Compton High) would go to USC, too. While USC has denied it's a package deal, it's very suspicious.

[Phil]

Good point, Adam. Looks like Master P will be "giving the Hook-up" to Demar Derozan.

At least Mike Garrett won't have to worry about another Reggie Bu$h situation. Money received from your friend's parents does not violate NCAA rules, does it?

[Hugo]

Flea has also been featured in the 1983 film Suburbia. Its 1997 remake is pretty good too. I love RHCP too, and his trumpet solo to Smells Like Teen Spirit was pretty cool.

[Guy B. Jones]

Don't forget Flea's memorable appearance as a California airhead in the entertaining 1994 movie "The Chase."

[Sarah]

Flea is awesome. He's an intellegent and gifted musician. And very alive person. Of course he's still evolving and growing - we are lucky to have him in the patheon on contemporary music. Rock on!!

[Dermot Ryan]

When Michael was a teenager, his mother Pat was my secretary. She would come to the office complaining about the noise Michael and his bandmates were making in the garage. I told her to leave him alone, he might be a rock and roll star someday.... Who knew? Congrats Michael.