Rick James was in various bands before entering the US Navy Reserve to avoid being drafted into the army.
57 Facts About Rick James
2.
In 1964, Rick James deserted to Toronto, Canada, where he formed the rock band the Mynah Birds, who eventually signed a recording deal with Motown Records in 1966.
3.
In 1981, Rick James released his most successful album, Street Songs, which included career-defining hits such as "Give It to Me Baby" and "Super Freak", the latter song becoming his biggest crossover single, mixing elements of funk, disco, rock and new wave.
4.
Rick James had a successful career as a songwriter and producer for other artists including Teena Marie, the Mary Jane Girls, the Temptations, Eddie Murphy and Smokey Robinson.
5.
Rick James was released on parole in 1996 and released the album Urban Rapsody in 1997.
6.
In 2004, Rick James's career returned to mainstream pop culture after he appeared in an episode of Chappelle's Show.
7.
Rick James died later that year from heart failure at age 56.
8.
Rick James was an altar boy and choir member at St Bridget's Catholic Church.
9.
Rick James's mother was a dancer for Katherine Dunham, and later worked as a cleaner in the day, and as a numbers-runner for the Buffalo crime family at night to earn a living.
10.
Rick James was introduced to drugs at an early age and was arrested for burglary as a young teen.
11.
In Toronto, Rick James made friends with local musicians Neil Young and Joni Mitchell.
12.
That same year, Rick James formed The Mynah Birds, a band that produced a fusion of soul, folk and rock music.
13.
Rick James surrendered himself to the FBI, and, in May 1966, was sentenced by the Navy to five months' hard labor for unauthorized absence.
14.
Rick James escaped from the Brooklyn Naval Brig after only six weeks' confinement, but following another six months as a fugitive, surrendered himself a second time.
15.
Reeves, hoping to find a better situation than the US$38 a week he was earning as a session bassist for Berry Gordy, joined Rick James, looking to "hitch a lift from Neil Young's rising star," and relocated to Los Angeles.
16.
On one of his first nights in Los Angeles, Rick James was crashing on musician Stephen Stills' couch.
17.
Rick James was later formally introduced to the man who was Jim Morrison, lead singer of the Doors.
18.
Around this time Rick James formed several versions of the rock band Salt'N'Pepper and got involved with hair stylist Jay Sebring, who agreed to invest in his music.
19.
Rick James claimed that in 1969 Sebring invited him to attend a party at actress Sharon Tate's house, but he was too hungover to get out of bed.
20.
Rick James briefly replaced Mendelson Joe in the Toronto blues band McKenna Mendelson Mainline.
21.
In 1976, Rick James returned to Buffalo and formed the Stone City Band.
22.
Around that same period, Rick James launched his first headlining tour, the Fire It Up Tour, and agreed to invite the then-upcoming artist, Prince, as well as singer Teena Marie, as his opening act.
23.
Rick James had produced Marie's successful Motown debut album, Wild and Peaceful and was featured on the hit duet, "I'm a Sucker ".
24.
Rick James was credited with naming Marie, "Lady Tee", on the song, a nickname that stuck with Marie for the rest of her career.
25.
The Fire It Up tour led to Rick James developing a bitter rivalry with Prince, after he accused the musician of ripping off his act.
26.
In 1981, Rick James recorded his best-selling album to date, Street Songs, which like his previous four albums, was a concept album.
27.
In 1983, Rick James recorded the hit duet, "Ebony Eyes", with singer Smokey Robinson, as well as a ballad "Tell Me What You Want" with an introduction by Billy Dee Williams.
28.
In 1985, Rick James produced another hit for entertainer Eddie Murphy with the song "Party All the Time".
29.
Famous for promoting the use of marijuana live in concerts during a time that simple possession could lead to a long-term prison sentence, Rick James was often threatened by cops in various cities that he would be arrested if he smoked marijuana on stage during performances of songs such as "Fire It Up" and "Mary Jane".
30.
MTV denied this, stating the real reason "Super Freak" was turned down by MTV was because they felt Rick James's video was too vulgar for the channel.
31.
When younger artists such as Michael Jackson and Prince found fame on the channel, Rick James accused the two singers of being "tokens" in a 1983 interview, demanding that any black artist that has a video aired on MTV take their video off the channel in protest.
32.
Rick James's rant was cosigned by David Bowie, who argued with MTV VJ Mark Goodman about the lack of black artists being featured on the channel despite the successes of Jackson and Prince.
33.
In 1997, Rick James released Urban Rapsody, his first album since his release from prison on assault charges and he toured to promote the album.
34.
Rick James was featured on the song "Love Gravy" with Ike Turner for the 1998 soundtrack album Chef Aid: The South Park Album.
35.
Rick James accepted an offer by Eddie Murphy to appear in the comedy-drama Life.
36.
Rick James enjoyed a career revival after his appearance on the show.
37.
Rick James supported Teena Marie's tour of her album La Dona and toured with her in May 2004; playing with her at the KBLX Stone Soul Picnic, Pioneer Amphitheatre, Hayward, California.
38.
Rick James gave his last public appearance and performance at the fourth annual BET Awards on June 29,2004.
39.
In 2021, James was the subject of a documentary film, Bitchin': The Sound and Fury of Rick James, directed by Sacha Jenkins, that was produced and broadcast by Showtime.
40.
Rick James had two children with Syville Morgan, a former singer and songwriter.
41.
Rick James contacted her and spent time getting to know the actress during a short stint living at the Chateau Marmont in Hollywood.
42.
Rick James was very close with Teena Marie, whom he met and began collaborating with in 1979.
43.
When Rick James died, Teena Marie said she was "devastated by his death" and struggled with a painkiller addiction following his passing.
44.
Rick James had a close friendship with Eddie Murphy, whom he met in 1981.
45.
Rick James was close to Murphy's older brother Charlie Murphy, who worked as a security guard for his brother.
46.
Rick James pinned him down and pleaded that he was throwing his life away.
47.
Rick James promised to change his ways, but he broke his promise that same night.
48.
Rick James was a friend of fellow Motown act performers Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye, singers Rick James idolized as a teenager.
49.
Rick James idolized former Temptations lead singer David Ruffin and Ruffin's self-proclaimed cousin, bass vocalist Melvin Franklin, and grabbed at the chance to produce the hit "Standing on the Top" for them in 1982.
50.
In 1998, Rick James suffered a stroke after a blood vessel ruptured in his neck during a concert at Mile High Stadium in Denver.
51.
Rick James was heavily addicted to cocaine and later admitted to spending about $7,000 per week on drugs for five years straight.
52.
Rick James was found guilty of both offenses but was cleared of a torture charge that could have put him in prison for the rest of his life.
53.
Rick James was released from prison on August 21,1996, after serving more than two years.
54.
Rick James died from pulmonary failure and cardiac failure, associated with his various health conditions of diabetes, a stroke, pacemaker, and heart attack.
55.
Rick James's autopsy found alprazolam, diazepam, bupropion, citalopram, hydrocodone, digoxin, chlorpheniramine, methamphetamine and cocaine in his blood.
56.
Rick James was buried at the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo.
57.
Rick James was nominated for three Grammy Awards, winning one as a co-writer for MC Hammer's song "U Can't Touch This".