Arts scene's No 1 oddest friendship

ONE is the ultimate example of drug-fuelled rock'n'roll excess, the other is a douce, dapper pillar of Scotland's literary establishment.

But together, Flea, the flamboyant bassist with LA supergroup the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Alexander McCall Smith, the Edinburgh writer of gentle detective novels, have formed one of the most unlikely friendships ever seen in the world of arts.

Since their first meeting in 2004, McCall Smith has regularly written to his unlikely pal, whom he affectionately refers to as "Mr Flea".

The rocker in question - real name, Michael Balzary - regards the Scottish writer as inspirational and has an open invitation for tea at McCall Smith's home when he visits Scotland in July to headline T in the Park.

McCall Smith told Scotland on Sunday: "I know it seems a strange pairing but he's my pal in the rock world.

"If he is coming to Scotland then it is highly likely we will meet. We speak on the phone, and if he has time then I will most certainly be inviting him around for tea."

Flea, who survived drink, drugs, a suicide attempt and rehab, revealed his admiration for McCall Smith on the band's website in 2003.

Referring to McCall Smith's No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency novels - about female sleuth Precious Ramotswe - he said: "They are really fun to read and make you feel like human beings can have worthwhile lives. I highly recommend them if you like to be happy."

The following year, the rocker gatecrashed the plush Regency Club in Beverly Hills - dressed in Lakers basketball T-shirt and LOVE tattoo - where the Edinburgh writer was guest speaker.

McCall Smith said he remembered being "delighted" that Flea had tracked him down in person.

He said: "I first met him in 2004 when he came along to hear me speak. He turned up and at first I didn't realise who he was.

"After it was explained to me, we talked about my books for quite some time.

"He was just a very agreeable man. We became good friends, and Mr Flea gave me his e-mail address."

McCall Smith added: "As a group they have a reputation for being wild. But he is really a very gentle person, although obviously as a band they do jump around a lot."

The pair keep in touch by e-mail, phone and through the band's manager, and are looking forward to their second face-to-face meeting this summer.

McCall Smith said: "Last time he was in Edinburgh for his Murrayfield gig [in July, 2004] we tried to meet up. I had to work, but my daughter went in my place and had dinner with the band. She said they were all charming."

But for all the Chilis' charms, McCall Smith still struggles to enjoy their funk-punk musical output. "I must admit, I'm not that familiar with their work," he said.

He also admitted it was unlikely he would be making a guest appearance on stage at T in the Park, where the Red Hot Chili Peppers are headlining. "I can't imagine that it is really my scene. I am sure Mr Flea will understand."

But the bassoon-playing writer has not ruled out a possible studio collaboration with his friend.

"Who knows?" he said. "It's an interesting idea and certainly not impossible. If they were to invite me to put lyrics to their music that would be quite fun."

McCall Smith is also mulling over the idea of immortalising the bad boy rocker in his own writing. "I'm certainly not against giving rock stars a place in my work," he said. "In fact if Mr Flea wouldn't mind, I might ask his permission to give him a cameo in one of my works, such as 44 Scotland Street."

Launched from the Los Angeles alternative rock scene of the 1980s and early-1990s, the Peppers have crafted a sound that incorporates funk, punk, psychedelia and pop to their songwriting.

Known for their previous drug use and numerous personnel changes, the current line-up (which has been in place for almost nine years) features Flea, frontman Anthony Kiedis, guitarist John Frusciante and drummer Chad Smith.

Alexander McCall Smith

NAME, AGE, PLACE OF BIRTH: Alexander McCall Smith, 57, Zimbabwe

EDUCATION: Educated in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

University: Studied law at Edinburgh University. Former chairman of the British Medical Journal Ethics Committee, the former vice-chairman of the Human Genetics Commission of the UK, and a former member of the International Bioethics Commission of Unesco.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: The publication of his quaint No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. The success of his 44 Scotland Street column.

CAREER LOW POINTS: Nothing worse than occasional damning with faint praise. (See below).

INSTRUMENT: Amateur bassoonist, and co-founder of The Really Terrible Orchestra.

BOOKS SOLD: The No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency has sold between 6 and 7 million copies

HE WRITES: "One of Domenica's little ways was to give each of her guests a different arrival time, thus staggering them at 10-minute intervals."

THEY WRITE: "The literary equivalent of herbal tea and a cozy fire. . . . McCall Smith's Scotland [is] well worth future visits."

Mr Flea

NAME, AGE, PLACE OF BIRTH: Michael 'Flea' Balzary, 43, Melbourne.

EDUCATION: Fairfax High School, California.

UNIVERSITY: Offered a place at the University of Life by LA band Fear, in 1983. Further "studies" with the Red Hot Chili Peppers specialising in drug-fuelled lyrics, stage stripping and off-stage breakdowns.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Chilis' shows at Hyde Park, set a world record as the highest-grossing concert event at a single venue, bringing in $17m.

CAREER LOW POINTS: Drug and drink abuse before a considerable stint in rehab.

INSTRUMENT: Bass guitar

ALBUMS SOLD: 45 million albums

FLEA WRITES: "Hit me you can't hurt me suck my kiss/Kiss me please pervert me stick with this"

THEY WRITE: "When the Red Hot Chili Peppers first appeared with socks dangling from their wieners, even the most faithful funk-metal convert couldn't have conceived they would be around some 20 years later, carrying on in much the same fashion."