Born James Ambrose Johnson, Jr.; February 1, 1948, Rick James started singing in doo-wop and R&B groups as a teenager in his hometown of Buffalo New York.
Little Known Facts:
He served a 1 year prison sentence after being arrested for deserting his Navy duties.
Signed his first major recording contract in 1977 with Motown
He sued MC Hammer and won back royalties for his contributions to “Can’t Touch This”
As the “King of Punk Funk” he recorded and produced hit songs for the Mary Jane Girls, Smokey Robinson, Teena Marie and The Temptations
Served a 3 year sentence at Folsom State Prison in California
Suffered a mild stroke in 1998
Died at the age of 56 from heart failure
