Rick James facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rick James
James on Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous in 1984
Born	James Ambrose Johnson Jr. (1948-02-01)February 1, 1948 Buffalo, New York, U.S.
Died	August 6, 2004(2004-08-06) (aged 56) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Other names	Ricky Matthews
Occupation	Singer musician record producer dancer
Years active	1965–1990 1996–1998 2004
Musical career
Genres	R&B soul funk disco doo-wop post-disco
Instruments	Vocals bass guitar guitar keyboards drums percussion
Labels	Gordy Reprise A&M Mercury

James Ambrose Johnson Jr. (born February 1, 1948 – died August 6, 2004), known as Rick James, was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. He was born and grew up in Buffalo, New York. James started his music career when he was a teenager.

He played in different bands before joining the United States Navy Reserve. In 1964, James left the Navy and went to Toronto, Canada. There, he formed a rock band called the Mynah Birds. They signed a deal with Motown Records in 1966. However, James's time with the band stopped when military authorities found him. He faced legal trouble and spent some time in jail. After being released, James moved to California. He started various rock and funk groups in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

In 1977, James formed the Stone City Band in Buffalo. He then signed with Motown's Gordy Records. His first album, Come Get It!, came out in 1978. It featured hit songs like "You & I" and "Mary Jane". In 1981, James released his most famous album, Street Songs. This album included big hits such as "Give It to Me Baby" and "Super Freak". "Super Freak" became a huge hit, blending funk, disco, rock, and new wave. James was also known for his soulful slow songs like "Fire & Desire" and "Ebony Eyes". He also wrote and produced songs for other artists, including Teena Marie, the Mary Jane Girls, the Temptations, Eddie Murphy, and Smokey Robinson.

By 1985, James's biggest success had passed, after his album Glow and an appearance on the TV show The A-Team. Later albums did not sell as well. In 1990, rapper MC Hammer used a part of James's "Super Freak" for his hit song "U Can't Touch This". James won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song in 1991 for co-writing this song. By the early 1990s, James faced serious legal challenges that led to him spending time in prison. He was released in 1996 and released the album Urban Rapsody in 1997. James's health problems caused his career to slow down again after he had a mild stroke in 1998. He then announced he would semi-retire.

In 2004, James became popular again after appearing on Chappelle's Show. This show had a funny skit that made fun of James's wild life in the 1980s. This brought new interest to his music, and he started performing again. James passed away later that year from heart failure at age 56.

Early Life and Career

Growing Up

James Ambrose Johnson Jr. was born on February 1, 1948, in Buffalo, New York. He was one of eight children. His father left the family when James was 10. His mother was a dancer and later worked as a cleaner and a numbers-runner to support the family. She would take James with her on her routes, and he saw famous performers like John Coltrane and Etta James in the bars where she worked.

James went to Bennett High School but dropped out. As a young teen, he was arrested for burglary. To avoid being drafted into the army, James joined the United States Navy Reserve at age 14 or 15, lying about his age. During this time, he also played drums for jazz groups in New York City. Because he missed his Navy Reserve sessions, he was ordered to go to Vietnam.

Starting His Music Career

In 1964, James went to Toronto to avoid military authorities. He met Levon Helm there and performed with his band. In Toronto, James became friends with musicians Neil Young and Joni Mitchell. To hide from the US military, James used the name "Ricky James Matthews". That same year, he formed The Mynah Birds, a band that mixed soul, folk, and rock music.

In 1965, the band briefly recorded for Columbia Records in Canada. Later, they traveled to Detroit to record with Motown. While in Detroit, James met his music heroes, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. Wonder suggested he shorten his name to "Ricky James".

In 1966, Motown found out about James's military status. James turned himself in to the FBI. He was sentenced by the Navy to five months of hard labor. He escaped after six weeks but surrendered again. With help from his cousin, future Congressman Louis Stokes, James's sentence was reduced. After his release in 1967, James returned to Toronto.

In 1968, using the name Ricky Matthews again, James produced and wrote songs at Motown for groups like The Miracles and The Spinners. He also formed several rock bands in California, including Salt'N'Pepper.

Solo Success

In 1973, James signed with A&M Records. His first single as Rick James, "My Mama," became a club hit in Europe in 1974.

In 1976, James returned to Buffalo and formed the Stone City Band. In 1977, they signed with Motown's Gordy Records.

In April 1978, James released his first solo album, Come Get It!, with the Stone City Band. The album had the top 20 hit "You and I", which was his first number-one R&B hit. It also included "Mary Jane". The album sold two million copies and made James a star. In 1979, his second album, Bustin' Out of L Seven, sold a million copies. A third album, Fire It Up, was released later in 1979 and went gold.

Around this time, James started his first big tour, the Fire It Up Tour. He invited Prince and singer Teena Marie to open for him. James had produced Marie's first successful Motown album, Wild and Peaceful. He also sang with her on the hit duet "I'm a Sucker (For Your Love)". James gave Marie the nickname "Lady Tee," which she used for the rest of her career. The tour led to a rivalry between James and Prince, as James felt Prince copied his style.

In 1980, James released Garden of Love, which became his fourth gold record. In 1981, James recorded his best-selling album, Street Songs. This album blended different music styles, including rock and new wave, creating James's unique "punk funk" sound. It featured hit singles like "Ghetto Life", the duet "Fire and Desire" with Teena Marie, "Give It to Me Baby", and his biggest hit, "Super Freak". "Super Freak" reached number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 and sold over 1 million copies. Street Songs reached number one on the R&B charts and sold over 3 million copies in the United States. Following this success, James released two more gold albums: Throwin' Down in 1982 and Cold Blooded in 1983.

During this time, James also helped other artists. He launched the groups Process and the Doo-Rags, and the Mary Jane Girls. The Mary Jane Girls had hits like "All Night Long" and "In My House". In 1982, James produced the Temptations' Top 10 R&B hit, "Standing on the Top". In 1983, James recorded the hit duet "Ebony Eyes" with Smokey Robinson. In 1985, James produced another hit for Eddie Murphy called "Party All the Time". That same year, James appeared on an episode of The A-Team with Isaac Hayes. After his ninth album, The Flag, in 1986, James signed with Warner Bros. Records. He released the album Wonderful in 1988, which included the hit "Loosey's Rap".

James sometimes faced issues because of his bold music videos. When MTV started in 1981, James tried to get them to play his "Super Freak" video, but they refused. James accused the network of being unfair.

Later Career and Comeback

In 1989, James's 11th album, Kickin', was released only in the UK. By 1990, he had lost his record deal and faced personal and legal troubles. That year, MC Hammer released his hit song "U Can't Touch This", which used a famous part from "Super Freak". James and his co-writer, Alonzo Miller, sued Hammer for songwriting credit. All three received a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song in 1991.

In 1997, James released Urban Rapsody, his first album since his release from prison. He toured to promote the album. That year, he talked about his life and career in interviews for the VH1 show Behind the Music. James's music career slowed again after he had a minor stroke during a concert in 1998. He also appeared on the song "Love Gravy" for the 1998 Chef Aid: The South Park Album soundtrack. James accepted an offer from Eddie Murphy to appear in the movie Life (1999).

Chappelle's Show Appearance

In early 2004, after years away from the public eye, James appeared in a comedy sketch on Chappelle's Show. The segment, called "Charlie Murphy's True Hollywood Stories," featured James and Murphy telling funny stories about their experiences together in the early 1980s.

James's appearance on the show led to a comeback in his career. He supported Teena Marie's tour for her album La Doña and toured with her in May 2004. James made his last public appearance and performance at the fourth annual BET Awards on June 29, 2004. He performed "Fire & Desire" live with Teena Marie. The audience gave James a standing ovation.

Autobiography and Documentary

Before he passed away, James was working on his autobiography, The Confessions of Rick James: Memoirs of a Super Freak, and a new album. The book was published in 2007. In 2014, a re-edited version titled Glow: The Autobiography of Rick James was published by David Ritz.

In 2021, a documentary film called Bitchin': The Sound and Fury of Rick James was released by Showtime. It received very positive reviews.

Personal Life

Family and Relationships

James had two children with Syville Morgan: a daughter named Tyenza and a son named Rick Jr.

He dated actress Linda Blair from 1982 to 1984. His hit song "Cold Blooded" was about his relationship with Blair.

In 1989, James met Tanya Hijazi. They had a child together, Tazman, in 1993. After facing legal issues, they married in 1996 and divorced in 2002.

James was very close with Teena Marie. They met and started working together in 1979. Teena Marie said they were engaged for a short time. Their professional partnership lasted until 2004. When James died, Teena Marie was very sad.

Friendships

James was good friends with Eddie Murphy, whom he met in 1981. He was also close to Murphy's older brother, Charlie Murphy, who worked as a security guard for Eddie. On the Chappelle's Show skits, Charlie Murphy shared funny stories about James.

James was also good friends with actress Debbie Allen.

He was friends with other Motown artists like Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye, who he admired as a teenager. He was also the godfather of Marvin Gaye's daughter, Nona. James's friendship with Robinson led to their hit duet "Ebony Eyes" in 1983.

James also looked up to former Temptations lead singer David Ruffin and bass vocalist Melvin Franklin. He was excited to produce their hit song "Standing on the Top" in 1982. The Temptations also sang background vocals on James's album Street Songs and Teena Marie's album It Must Be Magic. In his songs, James famously shouted, "Temptations, SING!"

Death

James' grave at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, New York

On August 6, 2004, James's caretaker found him deceased in his Los Angeles home. He was 56 years old. His publicist stated that he died of natural causes. James passed away from pulmonary failure and cardiac failure. These were related to his various health conditions, including diabetes, a stroke, a pacemaker, and a heart attack.

After a public viewing, a private memorial was held. A public funeral took place at St. John Baptist Church in Buffalo, New York, on August 14, 2004. About 6,000 fans attended. James was buried at the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo.

Awards and Recognition

James received the following honors:

• 1982: American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Album (Street Songs)
• 1996: Inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame.

Grammy Awards

James was nominated for three Grammy Awards and won one as a co-writer for MC Hammer's song "U Can't Touch This".

Music Albums

In 2014, all of Rick James's albums from Motown Records were released on iTunes for the first time in digitally remastered form. This made many of his albums widely available again. Physical copies of some of his albums, like Fire It Up, Garden of Love, and The Flag, are now rare and sought after by fans.

Studio Albums

• Come Get It! with The Stone City Band (1978)
• Bustin' Out of L Seven (1979)
• Fire It Up (1979)
• Garden of Love (1980)
• Street Songs (1981)
• Throwin' Down (1982)
• Cold Blooded (1983)
• Glow (1985)
• The Flag (1986)
• Wonderful (1988)
• Kickin' (1989)
• Urban Rapsody (1997)
• Rick James Forever (2005)
• Deeper Still (2007)

Images for kids

• 

  James on Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous in 1984

• 

  James' grave at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, New York

See also

In Spanish: Rick James para niños