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Interview
by Klam Meraffe
7-8-2004
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| Rick James: funk legend passes on |
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Rick James RIP
Funk pioneer's passing
US funk maestro Rick James has been found dead aged 56, according to police in Los Angeles.
James was best known for his 1981 hit ‘Super Freak’, which was sampled by MC Hammer on 1990 hit 'U Can’t Touch This'. He was seen as a pioneer who rescued the Motown record company in the late 1970s, but was also plagued by drug and legal problems.
“This morning Hollywood officers responded to a radio call of a natural death,” a police spokeswoman said.
Tributes poured in for the funk legend Rick James following his death on Friday (06 August). The star passed away in his Los Angeles home of what is thought to be natural causes. Post-mortem failed to disclose anything further.
James has been honoured by his family, peers and the music industry.
His son Rick James Jr said: "The spirit lives on."
According to BBC News, soul legend Smokey Robinson described James as "the original R&B rock star". Robinson, who recorded the duet ’Ebony Eyes’ with him in 1983, added: "Rick was very unique in his presentation and he was very instrumental in the careers of a lot of other Motown artists. He created another kind of rhythmic style for R&B music."
The American Society Of Composers, Authors and Publishers honoured James in June by presenting him with the Rhythm & Soul Heritage Award.
Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr, who presented the award, said the singer was a "pioneer who took Motown in a whole new direction". He added: "His creative abilities, his instincts about music and production were just awesome."
President of the Academy Of Recording Arts And Sciences - which presents the Grammy Awards - Neil Portnow said: "The world mourns a musician and performer of the funkiest kind."
He added: "Grammy-winner Rick James was a singer, songwriter and producer whose performances were always as dynamic as his personality. The Super Freak of funk will be missed."
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At the age of 15, Rick James - born James Johnson on 01 February 1948 in Buffalo, New York - joined the US Naval Reserves but soon after went AWOL. He ended up in Toronto, where, as Ricky Matthews, he formed and fronted a band called the Mynah Birds, which included Neil Young, Bruce Palmer (later of Buffalo Springfield) and Goldy McJohn (of Stepenwolf); they were signed and recorded for Motwn but nothing was released.
The band disolved soon after and James worked as a sideman, playing bass with several groups through the Seventies, with only minimal success. In 1978, he re-signed with Motown, this time as a songwriter and producer and that year's solo debut 'Come Get It' sold million copies. The new funk master arrived and would rule for another five years.
James's stage image - long corn-rowed and beaded hair, elaborate sequined costumes and instruments - and his bass-heavy music have prompted comparisons with Sly Stone and George Clinton's Parliament/Funkadelic. James also produced Teena Marie, the Temptations ['Standing on the Top'], a trio of sexy singers Mary Jane Girls and Eddie Murphy's debut album.
By that time his own career has taken a back seat and, despite having a hit with 'Ebony Eyes' - duet with Smokey Robinson - and it remained in the shadows until MC Hammer put him back on the map. But not before suing Hammer and, after out-of-court settlement, James was co-credited for the track.
Mr Rick James is survived by three children.
Klam Meraffe
7-8-2004
Rick James b. 01 February 1948 - d. 06 August 2004
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