Photo: Leach Entertainment Features / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
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.
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
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Aquarius / Rat
- Origin
- Buffalo, New York, United States
- Blood type
- Private
- Height
- Private
- Agency
- Private
- Occupation
- singer / record producer / songwriter / singer-songwriter / composer
2. Background
- Elementary school
- Private
- Junior high
- Private
- High school
- Bennett High School
- University
- Private
3. Relationships
- Spouse
- Private
- Children
- Private
- Parents
- Private
- Siblings
- Private
4. Personality
Motto
Private
6. Links
Frequently asked questions
When was Rick James born?
February 1, 1948 – August 6, 2004.
Where is Rick James from?
Rick James is from Buffalo, New York, United States.
What does Rick James do?
Rick James works as singer, record producer, songwriter, singer-songwriter, composer.
Singer — see all → · Record producer — see all → · More people from United States →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-11
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public items are marked "Private / Unknown". English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.