Rick James

Rick James - Musicians, Life Achievements and Childhood

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Rick James Biography Stories 

Rick James's Personal Details

Rick James was an acclaimed American musician

InformationDetail
BirthdayFebruary 1, 1948
Died onAugust 6, 2004
NationalityAmerican
FamousMusicians
SpousesTanya Hijazi (m. 1997–2002)
Known asJames Ambrose Johnson Jr.
ChildrensRick James Jr., Tazman James, Trey Hardesty James, Ty James
Universities
  • Orchard Park High School
  • Bennett High School
Birth PlaceBuffalo, New York, U.S
ReligionRoman Catholic
GenderMale
FatherJames Ambrose Johnson Sr.
MotherMabel (née Gladden)
Sun SignAquarius
Born inBuffalo, New York, U.S
Famous asMusician
Died at Age56

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Rick James's photo

Who is Rick James?

Grammy Award winning musician, songwriter, singer and record producer, Rick James was an immensely popular figure in the genre of funk music. One of the most brilliant singers, Rick James has an array of No.1 hits on the U.S. R&B charts to his credit. He began his journey into the world of music as a young teenager, who would sing in the street corners of his neighborhood, in Buffalo. It was during this time that he was drawn into the violence, drugs and street crime, a habit that will come to haunt him in his later years. One of the pioneers of the genre of funk music, he is best known for his massive funk hits ‘Super Freak’ and 'Give It to Me Baby’. This riveting performer brought with him an aura of brilliance and when he performed on stage he mesmerised audiences with his adrenaline-charged, exhilarating performances. Unfortunately, when he began to enjoy success in his career, he was personally affected with drug addiction, a habit that drew him to develop a notorious personality that eventually got him into legal troubles.

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Childhood & Early Life

He was born as James Ambrose Johnson, Jr., on February 1, 1948, to Mabel and James Ambrose Johnson, Sr., an autoworker, in Buffalo, New York. His father abandoned his family when Rick was around ten years old.

During his growing up years, he would sing on streets and in and around the neighbourhood and also performed in school. He attended the Orchard Park High School and Bennett High School, but dropped out when he was 15.

In 1965, after failing to report for the U.S Naval Reserve services, he escaped to Toronto. Here, he later became a part of his first band, ‘Sailor Boyz’.

Career

In 1978, he came up with his debut album titled, ‘Come Get It!’ which played a major role in launching his solo career in the music industry. The album also featured the hit disco number, ‘You and I’.

In 1979, he released his second album, ‘Bustin' Out of L Seven’, which was released under the Gordy Records label. The album included the hit R&B track, ‘Bustin' Out’.

On October 16, 1979, he came out with his third album, ‘Fire It Up’, which was a moderate success. The album featured the tracks, ‘Fire It Up’, ‘Love Gun’ and ‘Lovin You Is a Pleasure’.

Released in the year 1980, his fourth album, ‘Garden of Love’ featured the tracks, ‘Big Time’, ‘Don't Give Up On Love’ and ‘Island Lady’. The album was a success.

In 1981, he came out with the concept album, ‘Street Songs’, which was one of his most successful albums. The album featured the hit tracks, ‘Give It to Me Baby’ and ‘Super Freak’.

In 1982, his album, ‘Throwin' Down’ was released. The album received a gold certification but was not as popular as his previous album, ‘Street Songs’.

In 1983, he came out with the album, ‘Cold Blooded’, released under the Gordy Records label. The album featured the tracks, ‘U Bring The Freak Out’ and ‘New York Town’.

He released his album, ‘Glow’, in 1985. The album featured the tracks, ‘Spend the Night with Me’, ‘Melody Make Me Dance’ and ‘Sha La LaLaLa’.

In 1986, his album, ‘The Flag’ was released. The album included the tracks, ‘Sweet and Sexy Thing’, ‘Freak Flag’, ‘R U Experienced’, ‘Funk in Amerika / Silly Little Man’ and ‘Slow and Easy Interlude’.

He released his album, ‘Wonderful’ under the Reprise Records label in 1988. The album included one of his most famous and hit songs, ‘Loosey's Rap’.

In 1997, he came out with his final album titled, ‘Urban Rapsody’, which was released under the Mercury Records and Private-I Records label. The album received mixed reviews.

Major Works

His single ‘Give It to Me Baby’ was immensely successful and peaked at the No.1 position on the R&B charts for a period of five weeks. The song featured in the film, ‘She's All That’.

His album, ‘Street Songs’ was an immediate success and peaked at the 3rd position on the U.S Pop chart and reached the No.1 position on the US R&B chart. The album sold four million copies across the world.

Awards & Achievements

In 1990, he won the Grammy Award in the category, ‘Best R&B Song’ for ‘U Can't Touch This’.

Personal Life & Legacy

He had four children, Rick Jr., Trey Hardesty, Tazman, and Ty. He was romantically involved with Teena Marie.

In 1996, he married Tanya Hijazi. The couple divorced in 2002.

He was a victim of drug abuse, a habit that he took to from his early teenage years. He was addicted to Cocaine.

On August 6, 2004 at the age of 56, he was found dead at his Los Angeles home after suffering pulmonary failure and cardiac failure.

Trivia

This Grammy Award winning American musician and his future wife were convicted for sexually assaulting a woman. For this offence both he and his future wife served a jail sentence.

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Rick James's awards

YearNameAward

Other

01991 - Grammy Award for Best R&B Song

Rick James biography timelines

  • // 1st Feb 1948
    He was born as James Ambrose Johnson, Jr., on February 1, 1948, to Mabel and James Ambrose Johnson, Sr., an autoworker, in Buffalo, New York. His father abandoned his family when Rick was around ten years old.
  • // 1965
    In 1965, after failing to report for the U.S Naval Reserve services, he escaped to Toronto. Here, he later became a part of his first band, ‘Sailor Boyz’.
  • // 1978
    In 1978, he came up with his debut album titled, ‘Come Get It!’ which played a major role in launching his solo career in the music industry. The album also featured the hit disco number, ‘You and I’.
  • // 1979
    In 1979, he released his second album, ‘Bustin' Out of L Seven’, which was released under the Gordy Records label. The album included the hit R&B track, ‘Bustin' Out’.
  • // 1979
    On October 16, 1979, he came out with his third album, ‘Fire It Up’, which was a moderate success. The album featured the tracks, ‘Fire It Up’, ‘Love Gun’ and ‘Lovin You Is a Pleasure’.
  • // 1980
    Released in the year 1980, his fourth album, ‘Garden of Love’ featured the tracks, ‘Big Time’, ‘Don't Give Up On Love’ and ‘Island Lady’. The album was a success.
  • // 1981
    In 1981, he came out with the concept album, ‘Street Songs’, which was one of his most successful albums. The album featured the hit tracks, ‘Give It to Me Baby’ and ‘Super Freak’.
  • // 1982
    In 1982, his album, ‘Throwin' Down’ was released. The album received a gold certification but was not as popular as his previous album, ‘Street Songs’.
  • // 1983
    In 1983, he came out with the album, ‘Cold Blooded’, released under the Gordy Records label. The album featured the tracks, ‘U Bring The Freak Out’ and ‘New York Town’.
  • // 1985
    He released his album, ‘Glow’, in 1985. The album featured the tracks, ‘Spend the Night with Me’, ‘Melody Make Me Dance’ and ‘Sha La LaLaLa’.
  • // 1986
    In 1986, his album, ‘The Flag’ was released. The album included the tracks, ‘Sweet and Sexy Thing’, ‘Freak Flag’, ‘R U Experienced’, ‘Funk in Amerika / Silly Little Man’ and ‘Slow and Easy Interlude’.
  • // 1988
    He released his album, ‘Wonderful’ under the Reprise Records label in 1988. The album included one of his most famous and hit songs, ‘Loosey's Rap’.
  • // 1990
    In 1990, he won the Grammy Award in the category, ‘Best R&B Song’ for ‘U Can't Touch This’.
  • // 1996
    In 1996, he married Tanya Hijazi. The couple divorced in 2002.
  • // 1997
    In 1997, he came out with his final album titled, ‘Urban Rapsody’, which was released under the Mercury Records and Private-I Records label. The album received mixed reviews.
  • // 6th Aug 2004
    On August 6, 2004 at the age of 56, he was found dead at his Los Angeles home after suffering pulmonary failure and cardiac failure.

Rick James's FAQ

  • What is Rick James birthday?

    Rick James was born at 1948-02-01

  • When was Rick James died?

    Rick James was died at 2004-08-06

  • Where was Rick James died?

    Rick James was died in Burbank, California, U.S

  • Which age was Rick James died?

    Rick James was died at age 56

  • Where is Rick James's birth place?

    Rick James was born in Buffalo, New York, U.S

  • What is Rick James nationalities?

    Rick James's nationalities is American

  • Who is Rick James spouses?

    Rick James's spouses is Tanya Hijazi (m. 1997–2002)

  • Who is Rick James childrens?

    Rick James's childrens is Rick James Jr., Tazman James, Trey Hardesty James, Ty James

  • What was Rick James universities?

    Rick James studied at Orchard Park High School, Bennett High School

  • What is Rick James's religion?

    Rick James's religion is Roman Catholic

  • Who is Rick James's father?

    Rick James's father is James Ambrose Johnson Sr.

  • Who is Rick James's mother?

    Rick James's mother is Mabel (née Gladden)

  • What is Rick James's sun sign?

    Rick James is Aquarius

  • How famous is Rick James?

    Rick James is famouse as Musician