Post by Jonel on Aug 16, 2004 12:20:07 GMT -5
James' songs backdrop for funeral
Los Angeles Daily News
Published on: 08/13/04
LOS ANGELES — Funk singer and record producer Rick James was remembered Thursday as a musical genius and loving family man during a funeral filled with musical tributes by Stevie Wonder and other artists.
More than 1,000 mourners gathered at Forest Lawn Memorial-Park, Hollywood Hills, where they swayed and clapped to James' songs, including his biggest hit "Super Freak."
James, 56, died in his sleep Aug. 6 at his Los Angeles home. A cause of death has not been determined.
Before singing the gospel song, "I Won't Complain," Wonder told the assembled crowd, "As much as we want Rick with us today in the physical, God wanted him more."
James' second wife, Tanya, called him "a great man and a musical genius" and others recalled a playful father, uncle and friend known for his sense of humor and flamboyant style.
"(God) took a little extra time to make Rick James: 'I'm going to make him (italics) interesting (end italics),'" said actor Jamie Foxx
"This is his moment of glory," James' daughter, Ty James, said in a statement before the service. "And he would have loved to know that he had this much support and we appreciate your prayers."
In addition to Wonder's performance, [Ali Woodson] of the Temptations also sang, and James' band, The Stone City Band, performed a medley of his songs, ending with a rocking performance of "Super Freak."
Louis Farrakhan, the leader of the Nation of Islam, also spoke.
Other notables at the service included Motown founder Berry Gordy; R&B singer Teena Marie; several members of the Mary Jane Girls, which James created; singer Chaka Khan; singer Jermaine Jackson of the Jackson 5; and Bishop Noel Jones, of the City of Refuge Church in Gardena.
James was born James Johnson on Feb. 1, 1948, in Buffalo, N.Y. After working in Toronto and Britain in the early 1960s and 1970s, he signed with Motown Records in 1977.
In 1981, his album "Street Songs" included "Give It to Me Baby," as well as "Super Freak (Part 1)." M.C. Hammer used a sample from the latter song in his 1990 hit, "U Can't Touch This."
James went on to produce hits for the Temptations, Teena Marie, Eddie Murphy, the Mary Jane Girls and Val Young. He received a Grammy for his work on the "Beverly Hills Cop" soundtrack and recently was given the Heritage Award from American Society of Composers, Authors
and Publishers.
Courtesy of the Atlanta Journal Constitution on line from
the Los Angeles Daily News
www.ajc.com/news/content/news/0804/13james.html
Note: This article has been changed because it originally reported that Otis sang at the funeral, a fact we collectively believe to be inaccurate. ~ Ivory
Los Angeles Daily News
Published on: 08/13/04
LOS ANGELES — Funk singer and record producer Rick James was remembered Thursday as a musical genius and loving family man during a funeral filled with musical tributes by Stevie Wonder and other artists.
More than 1,000 mourners gathered at Forest Lawn Memorial-Park, Hollywood Hills, where they swayed and clapped to James' songs, including his biggest hit "Super Freak."
James, 56, died in his sleep Aug. 6 at his Los Angeles home. A cause of death has not been determined.
Before singing the gospel song, "I Won't Complain," Wonder told the assembled crowd, "As much as we want Rick with us today in the physical, God wanted him more."
James' second wife, Tanya, called him "a great man and a musical genius" and others recalled a playful father, uncle and friend known for his sense of humor and flamboyant style.
"(God) took a little extra time to make Rick James: 'I'm going to make him (italics) interesting (end italics),'" said actor Jamie Foxx
"This is his moment of glory," James' daughter, Ty James, said in a statement before the service. "And he would have loved to know that he had this much support and we appreciate your prayers."
In addition to Wonder's performance, [Ali Woodson] of the Temptations also sang, and James' band, The Stone City Band, performed a medley of his songs, ending with a rocking performance of "Super Freak."
Louis Farrakhan, the leader of the Nation of Islam, also spoke.
Other notables at the service included Motown founder Berry Gordy; R&B singer Teena Marie; several members of the Mary Jane Girls, which James created; singer Chaka Khan; singer Jermaine Jackson of the Jackson 5; and Bishop Noel Jones, of the City of Refuge Church in Gardena.
James was born James Johnson on Feb. 1, 1948, in Buffalo, N.Y. After working in Toronto and Britain in the early 1960s and 1970s, he signed with Motown Records in 1977.
In 1981, his album "Street Songs" included "Give It to Me Baby," as well as "Super Freak (Part 1)." M.C. Hammer used a sample from the latter song in his 1990 hit, "U Can't Touch This."
James went on to produce hits for the Temptations, Teena Marie, Eddie Murphy, the Mary Jane Girls and Val Young. He received a Grammy for his work on the "Beverly Hills Cop" soundtrack and recently was given the Heritage Award from American Society of Composers, Authors
and Publishers.
Courtesy of the Atlanta Journal Constitution on line from
the Los Angeles Daily News
www.ajc.com/news/content/news/0804/13james.html
Note: This article has been changed because it originally reported that Otis sang at the funeral, a fact we collectively believe to be inaccurate. ~ Ivory
