Crate Diggers: Happy Birthday Rick James

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Happy Birthday Rick James

“You can't have rock and roll without drugs, you can't have rock and roll without sex” - Rick James
(Rick James)
Rick James was born as James Johnson Jr. on February 1st, 1948 in Buffalo, New York, USA. At 10 years old his father left the family. His mother would take him on her routes when running errands for the mafia. Johnson would be able to see performers such as John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and Etta James while on these errands. Johnson dropped out of high school. As a teenager he was introduced to drugs and involved in a burglary. At 15 years old he lied about his age and joined the US Navy Reserve. He also became a drummer for a local band. Due to missing his twice monthly reserve sessions he was ordered to serve in Vietnam. In 1965 he fled to Toronto, Canada, where he met then local musicians Neil Young and Joni Mitchell. He then changed his name to “Ricky Matthews”. He then formed the group “Mynah Birds”.
(The Mynah Birds)
They then recorded at Columbia records. The group then recorded with Motown. Matthews then met Stevie Wonder and Wonder suggested that he should change his name to “Ricky James”. The Navy then found James and he was arrested. Motown dropped the Mynah Birds from the label due to James being arrested. After a year in prison he moved to California. In 1968 James went back to Motown and became a songwriter. He worked with the Miracles and the Spinners. Also in 1968 he formed a group called “Salt and Pepper”.
(Salt and Pepper)
In 1969 he moved back to California. In 1973 James signed with A&M Records. In 1976 he returned to Buffalo and formed “Stone City Band”. In 1977 he signed a contract with Motown. In 1978 he released his 1st album “Come and Get It!”. The single “You and I” went No. 1 on the R&B charts.
(James in 1978)
In 1979 he released his 2nd album “Bustin’ Out of L Seven”. He then released his 3rd album “Fire it Up”. He then started his “Fire it Up Tour” which included Prince as an opening act and Teenie Marie. James then produced Teena Marie’s 1st album.
(James (Right) and Teena Marie (Left))
This tour led to a rivalry between Prince and James due to James accusing Prince of stealing his moves.
(James (Right) and Prince (Left))
In 1980 he released “Garden of Love”. In 1981 he released “Street Songs”. The single “Super Freak” sold over 1 million copies. “Street Songs” went to No. 1 on the R&B charts.
(James in 1981)
In 1982 he released “Throwin’ Down”. Also in 1982 he produced the Temptations’ album “Standing on the Top”.
(James (Top Left) and the Temptations (Floor))
In 1983 he released “Cold Blooded”. James then launched the careers of Process and the Doo-Rags and the Mary Jane Girls. Also in 1983 James did a duet with Smokey Robinson called “Ebony Eyes”.
(James (Right) and Smokey Robinson (Left))
In 1984 he was hospitalized due to a drug overdose. In 1985 he produced Eddie Murphy’s album and appeared on the song “Party All the Time”.
(James (Right) and Eddie Murphy (Left))
In 1986 he released “The Flag”. He then signed with Warner Bros. records. In 1988 he released “Wonderful”. In 1989 he released “Kickin’”. In 1990 MC Hammer sampled James’ song “Super Freak” and it earned the both of them a Grammy award.
(James in 1990)
In 1993 James and his wife were accused of holding 24 year old Frances Alley hostage for up to 6 days. James was convicted of the crime.
(James in 1993)
He was released from prison in 1996. In 1997 he released “Urban Rhapsody”. In 1998 he suffered a minor stroke. In 1999 he appeared in the movie Life.
(James (Right) and Eddie Murphy (Left) in Life (1999))
In 2004 James participated in the “Chapelle Show”.
(James in 2004)
On August 6th, 2004 Rick James died of pulmonary failure and cardiac failure in Los Angeles, California, USA. He was 56 years old.
(James’ funeral)
Today is his 69th birthday and we would all like to say happy birthday and rest in peace Rick James.
Albums by Rick James
  • “Come Get It!” (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 Rhapsody” (1997)
Videos of Rick James

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