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Archive 1

Vocal Classification

It would be nice if wiki articles on singers included vocal classification and octave range. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 108.23.88.204 (talk) 01:41, 30 March 2015 (UTC)

Temporary picture

Just changed it to the cover of Glow, because at least it looks like the Rick James we all picture. This should be a stopgap, if anyone understands the copyright laws, they should really get a real picture going (like this [1]) Jairuscobb (talk) 10:49, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Good job Jairuscobb, but I think it may get removed because of the copyright issue. We could claim "fair use" as an advert for the album but then again... Best Philg88 (talk) 13:01, 20 September 2010 (UTC)
I just searched and sadly there are no Creative Commons or free images of Rick James! --Valentingalea (talk) 13:40, 3 August 2012 (UTC)

assumed name

"During early 1968, James returned to Motown and became a songwriter and producer, writing under an assumed name and working with Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, Bobby Taylor and the Vancouvers and The Spinners." With so much detail, still no one can determine what this "assumed name" was? Bustter (talk) 19:29, 2 September 2008 (UTC)

He used the name "Ricky Matthews". He then became "Rick Jams", before, finally, Rick James.Mk5384 (talk) 20:39, 3 June 2010 (UTC)

awol?

as i understand it, he wasnt awol

James says that he indeed did go AWOL in the autobiography, and also escaped the brig after turning himself in the first time, then subsequently turned himself in again.

HEADLINE

, he was charged with draft evasion. AWOL would be if be was already in the armed forces.Kas0809 (talk) 05:39, 12 January 2008 (UTC)

According to Glow (pg. 88), he was charged with AWOL, almost charged with desertion. He was already enlisted in the armed forces (Naval Reserve) at the point he originally went AWOL.

Fictional?

Maybe I'm just being naïve or maybe I'm playing Devil's Advocate, but by what grounds is the Chappelle's Show bit ruled "fictional?" Is there any source for this assumption? It was not presented as fiction, especially considering they had Rick James appear on the show. I'm not going to sweep it away just yet, but I'd like to get some discussion going on this. --Feitclub 06:39, Jan 29, 2005 (UTC)

They had Rick James appear on the show to help the joke go across. It's all obviously scripted and fiction. --b. Touch 06:43, 29 Jan 2005 (UTC)
Again, I don't know how "obivious" it is. I think the notion that this might be a true story is entirely plausible, but I also find it believably fictional. Has anyone clarified this is an interview or something? --Feitclub 22:43, Jan 29, 2005 (UTC)
On the DVD release of the second season of Chapelle's Show, there are extended interviews about the altercations between Charlie Murphy and Rick James. According to the extended interviews, Rick doesn't agree with Charile's retelling 100%, but does go on to affirm how much of a close family friend Rick was to the Murphy's and vice versa 216.206.178.36 13:45, June 5, 2006 (UTC)
China club incident apparently was true.

-G

It's hard to believe any of the incidents in the sketch are true, after all the show is a comedy. Do you see people adding the events of the infamous Wayne Brady sketch as factual information? I doubt it, until it's proven that all of the incidents are true or untrue it should be seen as nothing more than what it appears to be, a comedy sketch. Eatspie (talk) 01:42, 14 April 2008 (UTC)
Someone has missed a point here. The Wayne Brady sketch was a comedy sketch. The Charlie Murphy sketches were humorous reenactments of Murhpy's anecdotes. I'm sure that a fair bit of poetic licensce was taken, but I don't know of anyone who thought the whole thing was made up.Mk5384 (talk) 20:42, 3 June 2010 (UTC)

Nice

I like that link above really nice It's true just shut the heck up with the rick james joke it's old and not funny! —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Kmg90 (talk • contribs) 19:29, March 3, 2005 (UTC)

The Chappelle stuff really needs to go. Just because when most people think Rick James, they think Chappelle, doesn't mean that it deserves so much space on his page. In fact, it shouldn't even be mentioned at all. Frankly what he ate for dinner on some date is more important than this catch-phrase dribble. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 67.80.98.165 (talk • contribs) 15:36, April 7, 2005 (UTC)
Actually, the fact that most people thin of Chappelle when they think of James is exactly why it needs to stay. It made Rick James relevant again to a wide audience, exposing him to people who didn't know much about him. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 71.137.234.129 (talk • contribs) 14:20, January 5, 2006 (UTC)

Dave Chappelle and Charlie Murphy more documentary than spoof

From 1978 - 1981, I was a member of a celebrity roller-skating club, Skataway. Every Monday we would skate at Sherman Square in Canoga Park, then move the party to the El Privado Club on the Sunset Strip.

Not only did I have many opportunities to observe Rick James, on one occasion I had a shoving match with him and his entourage exactly along the lines of Charlie Murphy's depiction. My surprise about the sketch was wondering how Dave could be so accurate since at the time he was seven years old or less.

As for the shoving match: I, who am Black, was dancing with my white girlfriend. One of Rick's people came over and said, "Rick says he's surprised that you're dancing with a white woman!" Frankly, I didn't know Rick knew I existed. My reply, "Tell Rick, I'm surprised he's dancing with a girl!" Exploding over to fight me, there was pretty much the "I'm Rick James, bitch!" exclamation, as his people prevented an actual fight. Word! —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Tony R (talk • contribs) 23:23, May 19, 2005 (UTC)

No offense intended but you're not exactly a credible source for information, I'm not saying this incident didn't occur but it can not be proven. Eatspie (talk) 02:43, 15 April 2008 (UTC)

legitimacy of including "Chappelle Show" bit

Just in case anybody with a dreariously serious bend is thinking about axing or reducing the Chappelle Show section in the future, please keep in mind that it even earned a mention in Mr. James' LA Times Obituary. Bobak 19:25, 17 January 2006 (UTC)

Demand Media has ruined airliners.net.

Picture?

This article needs a picture or two. (Sorry, I'm incompetent in the world of uploading)Coquigamer 02:34, 29 January 2006 (UTC)

Not that picture. The current picture is probably the worst picture ever taken of a human. Marcthepirate (talk) 00:46, 10 June 2009 (UTC)

Busta Rhymes

Is there really any need for the last paragraph in the 'Death' section? It may inform the reader about some new Rick James material, but it's mostly an advert for new Busta Rhymes album- it even reads like PR material. Delete? Or at best, trim it? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 84.70.92.163 (talk • contribs) 16:45, February 17, 2006 (UTC)

Death

What happened to the "Death" section anyway? 216.79.251.161 03:18, 1 June 2006 (UTC)

The personal life section says he was surrounded by (relatives) when he died. The death section says he was found by his housekeeper. Which was it? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 151.203.214.14 (talk) 04:26, 11 April 2013 (UTC)

Discography

Come Get It, Fire It Up, Garden Of Love, Throwin' Down, Street Songs, Cold Blooded, Glow, The Flag, Wonderful, Urban Rhapsody. Probably missed at least 2.Mk5384 (talk) 08:39, 3 June 2010 (UTC)
Bustin' Out of L Seven was the one I forgot. There were also compilations, like Reflections, and Bustin Out, both of which featured older hits, along with at least one new song. Rick had another album, who's name escapes me, available only as an import, and a final studio album, released after his death. I'll try to get some of this together when I get time.Mk5384 (talk) 23:24, 3 June 2010 (UTC)

James age

If James' listed birthdate is correct, then he was 16 when he went to Canada in the summer of 1964. Also, if he was doing weekend training, then he was in the US Navy reserve, not the active navy. --Blainster 22:06, 26 August 2006 (UTC)

But he was called for active duty. I don't think the 1948 birth date is correct. (24.62.100.251 (talk) 05:56, 28 August 2011 (UTC))

As stated elsewhere, his social security records state his dob as 1948. HammerFilmFan (talk) 05:10, 24 September 2012 (UTC)

Vandalism

Fixed up what appeared to be some blatant vandalism in the death section, reverting it back, to the best of my knowledge, to what it most likely read beforehand. Nhbelongstome 02:38, 10 November 2006 (UTC)

Fixed some more blatant vandalism in the death section again.

This page needs a lot of cleanup

As usual, I'm not the expert here, but this page needs some major restructuring to shorten or remove inconsequential stuff and to expand the treatment of James's actual musical accomplishments during his most active and successful period, 1979-86 or so. Suggestions of what an expert might contribute:

  • A discography
  • A deeper discussion of James's different albums
  • A discussion of James's production work for Motown with the Mary Jane Girls and others
  • A discussion on James's revival of Motown's good fortunes after a few lean years, and possibly his role as "the last huge black artist with little impact in the white mainstream" (before Soundscan, in other words)
  • A removal of references to games and samplings and a shortening of the Chapelle's Show reference
  • A discussion on James's long term impact (paved way for Prince and others, coined term "Punk Funk", etc.)
  • Abbreviating the early career material and late career material that currently takes up over twice as much room as the "main career" bit...

Birdseed 22:12, 19 March 2007 (UTC)

You've got to have "I'm Rick James, bitch!" in here somewhere.

I agree that it doesn't belong in the main section of the article. But if you're going to have a Pop Culture References section at all - and I see no reason why you shouldn't - there is no way you can justify not including it there. F*** yo' couch! Ribonucleic 22:36, 30 April 2007 (UTC)

Cake Song

Cake (band) recorded a song called "Meanwhile, Rick James..." on their album Comfort Eagle. Possibly worth a mention in the Pop Culture References section --80.74.4.240 13:38, 1 June 2007 (UTC)

[[oc:Rick James]] Thank you, 201.0.66.39 15:09, 1 September 2007 (UTC)

Why can't you add it yourself? --OuroborosCobra 15:44, 1 September 2007 (UTC)

Mess Up

It's "Fuck 'yo couch nigga". BLACK POWER!!!!!! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 83.171.159.252 (talk) 02:02, 5 October 2007 (UTC)

What's this supposed to mean, anyway?

At age 16, James ate the U.S. Naval Reserve after dropping out of a airplane.

Wtf? I changed the word 'ate' to 'left', but can anyone check this? How the hell do you eat a naval reserve? ...ugh. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Gobbleodobble (talk • contribs) 05:02, 12 January 2008 (UTC)

Don't knock it till you try it.

-G

I've fixed it. Carl.bunderson (talk) 06:11, 12 January 2008 (UTC)

Rick James was born in 1953 as cited on other websites. I know Rick James was born in 1953,before he died not much was known about him in the 60s,then we find inconsistancies like he was in the navy at 16,why not realize maybe Rick made himself older for some reasons.Remember the Al Lewis story.Can someone look up Rick James's birth records.They will say Rick James born February 1 1953.3 sites stated that Rick was born in 1953.It was concievable before his death for Rick to have been born in 1952.Why not list RIck born in 1953 and find his records —Preceding unsigned comment added by Jason69535554 (talk • contribs) 21:48, 21 May 2008 (UTC)

The Social Security death records report his date of birth as February 1, 1948. BuffaloBob (talk) 19:30, 16 January 2009 (UTC)

He once lived in Orchard Park but I do not think that he was born in Orchard Park BuffaloBob (talk) 19:31, 16 January 2009 (UTC)

Age when he went AWOL

If no-one's sure how old he was when he went AWOL, can we put 'In 1964, he went AWOL ...' as a temporary measure? I know it's somewhat inelegant, but it's better than the present arrangement. Nowheir Apparent (talk) 11:31, 11 June 2008 (UTC)

Rick James vs. Prince Rivalry

Why isn't there any talk about this in the article?

Listening to The Electrifying Mojo on WGPR (107.5) then WJLB 97.9 in the late 70's/early 80's, the market where Prince got his first big break, the tension was palpable! Kid's would sneak their clock radios out at night to hear him spin Kurtis Blow, Grandmaster Flash and Whodini alongside Kraftwerk, New Order and the B-52's. Plus these two rising black rock stars, Rick James and Prince. There would be lunchroom debates the next day that touched on race, skin color/caste inside the black community, class and even sexual orientation (everyone just knew Prince was gay but they loved him anyway!)

During Prince's early career there was an intense rivalry between the two camps and their fans, which played out in their artistic endeavors and on the airwaves, especially within the African American community. Their styles at the time were very similar; they were lead rock artists when all other blacks were pushed out/abandoned the genre, which they blended with a funk sensibility. They created musical dominions, fostering several popular acts - Mary Jane Girls vs. Vanity 6, Teena Marie, The Time - while keeping themselves firmly in the spotlight. They also had super egos which were readily apparent in their public personas, as mocked two decades later by David Chappelle.

Prince "won" in the sense his career expanded while James' stagnated and dwindled, and the affect on fans during the late '70's through the mid-80's was significant.

Some felt Prince was a pretender to the throne; a light-skinned, Tutti Frutti sellout while others felt James was a crack-head Superfreak who was squandering his chance at enduring glory. To this day many African Americans, especially younger Baby Boomers and older Gen-Xers, debate "Rick James vs. Prince", their funk-rock legacies and how race played a role in their relative successes. Prince went to great lengths to portray himself as racially ambiguous/mixed though both of his parents were typical African Americans. Many of Prince's early black fans felt betrayed by this behavior and rallied behind Rick James. Meanwhile James' was mostly comfortable in his ethnicity (being darker he didn't have much choice) while readily working with white artists, first as a protégé, then a band mate and finally a leader/mentor. This was very appealing to blacks who felt rock music was unfairly stolen from them in the 1950's and currently stinging from the backlash against funk and disco by white America. But James’ fans eventually were betrayed as well by his increasing indifference to his music due to his rampant drug use that was spiraling out of control. Many felt they "bet on the wrong horse" - Prince's star continued to rise while Rick James sunk into oblivion with embarrassing spurts of legal problems.

This affected both how blacks viewed themselves and their fear of how white America’s viewed them as represented by these two prominent rock artists. It was a tense time in race relations in America and music played a prominent role – (ironically) Rock vs. Disco/Funk, racial integration, equal opportunity and affirmative action – in their own way these two artists’ existence touched on all these themes: The lighter-skinned artist who distanced himself from his racial ethnicity rose to greater heights in the white dominated world of rock music while his obviously black counterpart crumbled under the weight of success. Most did not know James’ drug problems preceded his prominence by over 15 years and it was just acerbated by this success. It didn’t matter; white America was often quick to condemn black artists for their transgressions and by proxy condemn black America as a whole. Both well aware of their influence in these issues.

I don't expect all of this to be included in the main article, but could some mention of both the public and private rivalries between the two be inserted? It was very obvious there was some one-upmanship and mimicking of styles (including their "satellite" acts) between them. But I was in grade-school when their careers began to take off in the late 70's so I lack the insight/expertise others have. Thanks. 76.243.181.168 (talk) 05:46, 28 August 2008 (UTC)Che Che

No Navbox?

Anyone else think that Rick needs a decent wp:navbox for his works? StevePrutz (talk) 20:49, 6 February 2009 (UTC)

Picture

Seriously, is this the best we can do? When you open up this article and see that pic, it looks strictly like amateur hour here.98.220.27.165 (talk) 04:13, 5 August 2009 (UTC)

that picture is awful —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.142.242.128 (talk) 20:38, 11 August 2009 (UTC)

Found new pic when he's older

This is a great pic of him that could be used instead of the one that is being used right now File:rick james.jpg and the link Rick James Darksorce —Preceding unsigned comment added by Darksorce (talk • contribs) 02:03, 13 August 2009 (UTC)

Possible vandalism?

"The cause of death was ruled acute cardiac dysfunction due to idiopathic cardiomyopathy, or an enlarged heart." And that, "He didn't die of a drug overdose. dat niga was a supa freak""

lolwut? Did the coroner really say this?

Of course not. I hope you removed it.Mk5384 (talk) 20:35, 28 February 2010 (UTC)

Reliable sources

Hi, I just cleaned up the external links in this article in accordance with our guidelines and there were two links which appear to be reliable sources that can be used to add content to the article. I'll leave them here if anyone wants to use them for future article-building.

ThemFromSpace 02:43, 10 November 2009 (UTC)

his mother/melvin franklin

I have removed unsourced info about his mother being a dancer to support the family. Mr. James himself, stated that she was a numbers runner. Also, as far as his being Melvin Franklin's nephew, that too, was unsourced. Can we clarify if this was a blood relation, as opposed to an informal agreement? Mk5384 (talk) 20:33, 28 February 2010 (UTC)

Stone City Band

Rick recorded an album with the Stone City Band, under the name Stone City Band, prior to releasing Come Get It. I don't see it mentioned in the article. I'd include it myself, but I'm unsure of the specifics.Mk5384 (talk) 08:43, 3 June 2010 (UTC)

OMG he was 556 years old?

The childhood section says he was born in 1448, and the article also says he died in 2004. That means he must have been 556 when he died, wow he lived a long time. --WikiDonn (talk) 20:56, 31 October 2010 (UTC)

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