Photo: Leach Entertainment Features / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Rick James was born on February 1, 1948 in Buffalo, New York, United States and was credited as a singer, record producer and songwriter. Death is recorded on August 6, 2004, at the age of 56. Rick James studied at Bennett High School.
My Take
Rick James is, to me, one of funk's true originals. Born in Buffalo in 1948, he drifted through bands and even dodged the draft via the Naval Reserve before forging that unmistakable, swaggering punk-funk sound. The bassline of Super Freak alone is woven into the DNA of popular music. His was a life of dazzling highs and brutal lows, and his death in 2004 felt premature. What lingers for me is the contrast: the flamboyant showman who seemed invincible onstage, and the more fragile, restless figure offstage. Talent that bright rarely comes without shadows, and his story carries both in equal measure.
This take was written by generative AI, one per person, from publicly reported facts (editorial policy). It is a reading of the record, not reporting.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Rick James
- Name (Japanese)
- リック・ジェームス
- Reading
- りっく・じぇーむす
- Born
- February 1, 1948 – August 6, 2004
- Origin
- Buffalo, New York, United States
- Occupation
- singer / record producer / songwriter / singer-songwriter / composer
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Aquarius / Rat
2. Background
- High school
- Bennett High School
3. Links
- Official sitehttp://www.rickjames.com
- Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/rickjames/
- Xhttps://x.com/rickjames
- Wikipedia (English)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick%20James
- Wikipedia (Japanese)https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%AA%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF%E3%83%BB%E3%82%B8%E3%82%A7%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A0%E3%82%B9
- Wikidatahttps://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q248207
4. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Rick James born?
Rick James was born on February 1, 1948.
When did Rick James die?
Rick James died on August 6, 2004, aged 56.
Where was Rick James from?
Rick James was from Buffalo, New York, United States.
What did Rick James do?
Rick James worked as singer, record producer, songwriter, singer-songwriter, composer.
Which high school did Rick James attend?
Rick James attended Bennett High School.
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