DISGRACELAND Rick James: Superfreak Is an Understatement
Oct 23, 2018
Rick James' life was a whirlwind of music, crime, and chaos. He rose from a life of crime to influence legends like Prince. His turbulent journey saw him battling addiction while navigating the glamorous but dangerous world of rock 'n' roll. His parties were notorious, filled with wild revelry that often turned to mayhem. Despite his musical genius, his life spiraled out of control, leading to arrests for horrific acts. Explore the complexities of the Superfreak and the dark side of fame in the rhythm of the 60s and beyond.
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Studio Encounters
- Jake Brennan was once kicked out of a studio by James Taylor.
- Bill Janovitz has a picture of Chris Colburn with Rick James at Cherokee Studios.
LA Riots Incident
- Rick James and Evan Dando bonded over hard drugs at Cherokee Studios during the LA riots.
- Amidst the chaos, Rick fired shots into the streets with an AK-47.
Early Life and Desertion
- Rick James grew up in Buffalo, where his mom ran numbers for the mob.
- As a teen, he joined the Navy Reserve to avoid the draft, then went AWOL to Toronto.