Rick James

Rick James

Rick James is an American vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer from Buffalo, New York. Born James Ambrose Johnson, Jr. in 1948, he dies in 2004. He works across funk, soul, disco, boogie, contemporary R&B, R&B and rock, and becomes closely associated with a hard-edged style of funk that earns him the informal title “The King of Punk-Funk”.

Early career

James drops out of high school and joins the US Naval Reserve, then goes AWOL to focus on music. He moves to Canada and uses the name Ricky Matthews. In Toronto, he leads several versions of The Mynah Birds, with line-ups that include Neil Young, Bruce Palmer and Nick St. Nicholas at different points. After the group signs to Motown and then falls apart, James serves time for desertion. He later tries to revive The Mynah Birds, but instead begins working at Motown as a writer and producer under the name Terry Johnson.

Motown and later work

At Motown, James writes and produces for Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Bobby Taylor and the Vancouvers and The Spinners. He moves to California in 1969 and forms Salt 'n' Pepper, and also works with Heaven and Earth, Great White Cane and Stone City Band. He later returns to Motown, where he develops the gritty funk style that defines much of his best-known work.

Hits and collaborations

James becomes one of Motown’s most popular artists in the late 1970s and early 1980s. His biggest hit is “Super Freak”, from the Street Songs album, released in 1981. During this period he also helps launch the careers of Teena Marie and the Mary Jane Girls, and he produces Eddie Murphy’s hit “Party All the Time”.

Later years and legacy

James remains moderately successful through the 1980s, but his profile declines in the 1990s. He has problems with drugs and repeated run-ins with the law, including a prison term. After an unsuccessful comeback attempt in 1997 and a stroke, he retires. He dies in 2004 from heart failure with multiple contributing factors.

Associated acts

His associated groups include Stone City Band, Punk Funk Horns, The Three Amigos and The Mynah Birds.