Bone-Shaking Facts About Rick James, The Super Freak
Rick James worked, fought, and partied with almost every icon in the 70s and the 80s, and he kept taking it up a notch until it finally destroyed him.
1. His Father Abandoned Him
It seems like the first rule of making it in show business is to have childhood trauma, and James Ambrose Johnson—Rick James—certainly qualifies. Born in Buffalo, New York on February 1, 1948, but a happy family was not in the cards.
He was a child when his autoworker father left his family.
His mom had no chance but to step up.
2. His Mother Raised Him Alone
James’ mother had no easy task—she had eight children to raise.
Therefore, she worked every second she was alive—worked as a dancer for Katherine Dunham, worked as a cleaner, and even got involved in some pretty sketchy jobs with a Buffalo crime family.
While she was working, she tried to keep her children out of trouble.
But the trouble was always around the corner.
3. He Had A Tumultuous Childhood
In his early teens, James had already started to rebel. He first dropped out of high school, then quickly began experimenting with certain substances. He even gained some experience with women pretty early on.
It seemed that his lifestyle was getting more extravagant and dangerous by the day—but there were worrisome consequences.
4. He Had A Smart Plan
When James was 14, his record was so problematic that it was sure he would end up behind bars. However, his biggest worry was being drafted to go to Vietnam.
To get away with both of them, he came up with a plan—he lied about his age and joined the Navy Reserve. All he had to do was to follow the Navy Reserve rules and procedures—but as you know, he was never a rule follower.
