Red Hot Chili Peppers - Flea Joins The Soloist On New Record

RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS star FLEA has realised his dream of playing with mentally ill music mastermind NATHANIEL AYERS after signing up to join the classically-trained subject of the film THE SOLOIST in the recording studio.

The bassist joined Ayers and members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra to record tracks for the homeless maestro's debut album Putting on Ayers.

The recording session was arranged by Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez, whose friendship with Ayers sparked the movie, starring Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey, Jr.

In his column on Wednesday (03Feb10), Lopez reveals the recording process was difficult because his friend couldn't commit to showing for the session until the very last minute.

But Lopez writes Flea was thrilled he did.

The journalist writes, "Mr. Ayers was on piano, Flea and (drummer Scott) Gold backing him up. Mr. Ayers had a smile on his face, and Flea seemed happy just to be there. He had begun e-mailing me when I first started writing about Mr. Ayers, telling me he was inspired by the story and would love to play with him if possible.

"'For me, it’s just having a belief and a faith in the healing power of music,' Flea said, telling me he could identify with the way music gives Mr. Ayers sanctuary during tough times."