RHCP's Flea plays absurd national anthem at Kobe farewell

Kobe Bryant was about to begin his final match in the NBA but it was Red Hot Chilli Pepper Flea who stole the show with an absurd rendition of the US national anthem.

The 53-year-old Australian-born bassist was given the honour of playing the Star-Spangled Banner before Byrant’s last game for the LA Lakers and it’s fair to say, he reduced some to tears, just of the laughing variety. 

Flea, real name Michael Peter Balzary, was uncharacteristically circumspect for most of the anthem but he couldn’t help but indulge in some crazy on-stage antics, banging his head along part-way through.

Against all odds, the man-of-the-moment Bryant seemed to approving, nodding several times toward Flea, who is a lifelong Lakers fan.

Regardless, the bizarre rendition needs to be seen – and heard - to be believed.