Rick James
Rick James (James Ambrose Johnson Jr.) was born on February 1st, 1948. Rick passed away August 6th, 2004 at 56 years old. Rick James was born in Buffalo, New York, USA.
Rick James was an American singer, record producer, and songwriter. He began his career as a teenager and was a member of various bands before joining the U.S. Navy Reserve in an attempt to avoid being enlisted into the Army.
He formed a rock band named
The Mynah Birds, which later signed a deal with Motown Records in 1966. After moving to California, James started several rock and funk groups in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He became a famous performer during the late 1970s. James gained popularity as a recording artist when he signed a deal with Gordy Records and released the album
Come Get It, which featured hits like
You & I and
Mary Jane.
James released his most popular album,
Street Songs, which included several hit songs, such as
Super Freak and
Give It to Me Baby. He was known for his wild, danceable music and his signature braids.
In addition to his own success, James was also a successful producer and songwriter for other artists, such as Eddie Murphy and Teena Marie. His fame continued to grow, especially after the release of his album
Glow in 1985.
His biggest hit,
Super Freak, released in 1981, was Grammy-nominated. In 2004, James returned to mainstream pop culture after appearing in an episode of
Chappelle’s Show, which renewed interest in his music. He passed away later that year at the age of 56 due to heart failure.
Rick James collaborated with David Ritz to author
Glow, his memoir. In the book, they recount the journey of a boy who grew into a legendary music figure. James mentions that he was the nephew of
Temptations singer Melvin Franklin, recalling how he would watch him perform from under cocktail tables at shows.
James highlights how his music career took him through both highs and lows, reflecting on his ego, strange obsessions, wild parties, and moments of pain. Despite these challenges, he carved out a unique and successful place for himself in the history of American music.
In
Glow, he recounts his time wandering through Toronto, playing with Neil Young and Joni Mitchell before releasing
Super Freak. He also details his experience getting caught smuggling drugs, leading to his imprisonment. The memoir offers a vivid portrait of his life, delving into themes of drugs, sex, and music.
Ultimately, it’s a story of perseverance, a mother’s love, and a spiritual journey. James shares deep, shocking details about his life and the struggles he faced.
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- Michael Connelly, author of the Harry Bosch Series.
Rick James: F.A.Q
When was Rick James Born?
Rick James was born on February 1st, 1948.
When did Rick James die?
Rick James died on August 6th, 2004 at 56 years old.
Where was Rick James Born?
Rick James was born in Buffalo, New York, USA.
What was the first book Rick James wrote?
The first book written by Rick James was Glow: The Autobiography, published in 2014.
What was the most recent book Rick James wrote?
His most recently released work was Glow: The Autobiography on July 8th, 2014.
How many books has Rick James written?
Rick James has written 1 book. All of his books are Non-Fiction Books.