Watch Flea jam with Koko the gorilla

Countless musicians would love a lesson from Red Hot Chili Peppers bass supremo Flea, but Koko the gorilla became the RHCP man's surprise pupil as he visited the primate at the Gorilla Foundation in Woodside, California.

"This is just the greatest thing that could ever happen. This is the day that I will never forget in my life," Flea says in a video posted on the Red Hot Chili Peppers' YouTube.

In the clip, Flea watches on as Koko perfects a few strumming and muting techniques on Flea's new Fender Jazz Bass, while inspecting its Shell Pink finish and tweaking its control knobs.

This is just the greatest thing that could ever happen

"One of Koko's favourite musicians, Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, came to visit," the Gorilla Foundation wrote on their website.

"Koko was thrilled by the mellow sounds and a jamming session followed with Koko strumming on Flea's bass!

"Watch for more news on future collaborations between the two."

Koko is famous for learning 1,000 signs and understanding around 2,000 spoken English words - expect 'slap', 'pop' and 'funk' to appear in her lexicon soon.

Flea was visiting Koko to raise funds for the Gorilla Foundation.

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Michael Astley-Brown

Mike has been Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com since 2019, and an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict for far longer. He has a master's degree in journalism from Cardiff University, and 15 years' experience writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as 20 years of recording and live experience in original and function bands. During his career, he has interviewed the likes of John Frusciante, Chris Cornell, Tom Morello, Matt Bellamy, Kirk Hammett, Jerry Cantrell, Joe Satriani, Tom DeLonge, Radiohead's Ed O'Brien, Polyphia, Tosin Abasi, Yvette Young and many more. His writing also appears in the The Cambridge Companion to the Electric Guitar. In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock as Maebe.