Rick James

Actor

February 1, 1948 (56 years)

† August 6, 2004

Buffalo, New York, USA

Biography

James Ambrose Johnson Jr. (February 1, 1948 – August 6, 2004), better known by his stage name Rick James, was an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. Born and raised in Buffalo, New York, Rick James began his musical career in his teenage years. He was in various bands before entering the U.S. Naval Reserve to avoid being drafted into the Army. In 1964, James moved to Toronto, Canada, where he formed the rock band The Mynah Birds, who eventually signed a recording deal with Motown R…

Filmography

7.5

The A-Team

Rick James

A fictional group of ex-United States Army Special Forces personnel work as soldiers of fortune while on the run from the Army after being branded as war criminals for a "crime they didn't commit."

8.3

South Park

Rick James (voice)

Follow the misadventures of four irreverent grade-schoolers in the quiet, dysfunctional town of South Park, Colorado.

7.3

Behind the Music

Self

An intimate look into the personal lives of pop music's greatest and most influential artists.

10.0

Rockpalast

No description available

6.5

Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest

Self

A much cherished annual tradition since 1972, the show includes special musical performances, reports on New Year’s celebrations from around the globe and the traditional countdown to midnight along with the iconic Times Square ball drop.

6.7

Life

Spanky Johnson

Two men in 1930s Mississippi become friends after being sentenced to life in prison together for a crime they did not commit.

8.1

Chappelle's Show

Self

Dave Chappelle's singular point of view is unleashed through a combination of laidback stand-up and street-smart sketches.

8.2

E! True Hollywood Story

E! True Hollywood Story is an American documentary series on E! that deals with famous Hollywood celebrities, movies, TV shows and also well-known public figures. Among the topics covered on the program include salacious re-tellings of Hollywood secrets, show-biz scandals, celebrity murders and mysteries, porn-star biographies, and "where-are-they-now?" investigations of former child stars. It frequently features in-depth interviews, actual courtroom footage, and dramatic reenactments. When aired on the E! network, episodes will be updated to reflect the current life or status of the subject.

8.7

Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever

Self

Television special taped before a live studio audience at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California on March 25, 1983, and broadcast on NBC on May 16. Highlights include Michael Jackson's performance of "Billie Jean", a Temptations/Four Tops "battle of the bands", Marvin Gaye's inspired speech about black music history and his memorable performance of "What's Going On", and a Jackson 5 reunion. This performance is noted for Michael Jackson debuting his signature moonwalk.

5.0

101 Most Shocking Moments in Entertainment

Self (archive footage)

From Disturbing Discoveries to Astonishing Arressts, and Tragic Endings. In this tv-special, E! countdowns the greatest moments in the entertainment industry that shocked the American Public.

7.0

The Midnight Special Legendary Performances 1979

Self

The Midnight Special is an American late-night musical variety series that aired on NBC during the 1970s and early 1980s, created and produced by Burt Sugarman. It premiered as a special on August 19, 1972, then began its run as a regular series on February 2, 1973; its last episode was on May 1, 1981. The ninety-minute program followed the Friday night edition of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. The show typically featured guest hosts, except for a period from July 1975 through March 1976 when singer Helen Reddy served as the regular host. Wolfman Jack served as the announcer and frequent guest host. The program's theme song, a traditional folk song called "Midnight Special", was performed by Johnny Rivers.

N/A

Motown 40: The Music Is Forever

Self

Archival music performances and contemporary interviews cover some of the history of Motown Records and Productions.

7.2

Bitchin': The Sound and Fury of Rick James

Self (archive footage)

This profile of legendary funk/R&B icon Rick James captures the peaks and valleys of his storied career to reveal a complicated and rebellious soul, driven to share his talent with the world.

N/A

Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve 1979

Self - Performer

This special broadcast from New York City's Times Square features coverage of its annual ball drop event, along with live and pre-recorded musical performances by popular acts from Times Square and Hollywood, respectively.

10.0

Rick James: Super Freak Live 1982

R&B legend Rick James was one of the most influential black musicians of all time. As an artist, songwriter and producer, James provided the funky hits that resuscitated Motown Records in the late ‘70s. His Punk Funk sound updated the label’s style and saw it through the mid-’80s. By 1981, Rick was at the peak of his commercial success with the platinum selling Street Songs album and the hit singles "Super Freak" and "Give It to Me Baby." The following year, Rick James & the Stone City Band took the stage in Essen, Germany to open the 10th Rockpalast-Festival. This 1982 performance was the first time James played in Europe, bringing his brand of American Punk Funk to a whole new audience. Together with the Stone City Band, James did not disappoint, burning up the stage with his trademark sound and special effects.

10.0

I'm Rick James: The Definitive DVD

Motown legend Rick James comes alive in this comprehensive retrospective of his funky and controversial career, featuring interviews, music videos and performances from television shows such as "Soul Alive" and "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve." Catch James gets his groove on in classic videos such as "Super Freak" and "Ebony Eyes" and in previously unreleased videos for "Throwdown," "She Blew My Mind (69 Times)" and "Hard to Get."

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