Our man at the Telegraph manages an interesting intro to the Rick James obituary:
Rick James, the American funk rocker who has died aged 56, came musically somewhere between George Clinton and Prince; morally, he occupied similar territory to the libertine Earl of Rochester.Sex, drugs and cross-dressing were for James not so much occupational hazards as his life’s work – articles of faith to be affirmed at every opportunity.
Fair and balanced?
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Granted Rick James was a great muscian and songstress, however Rick James was from Buffalo, New York and after he achieved fame and fortune he did absolutely NOTHING for his hometown or the community that he lived in. When Rick James left Buffalo he did not look back, he never even came and gave a free concert to the people who supported him here at home. On Sunday, August 8, 2004 Rick was honored at our Martin Luther King Jr. park and it was stated that they would like to do this every year, they want to start a music scholarship for a music student in his name and also put up a statue of him. This is a bunch of bulls**t. Why do this now that he is dead HE should have done this himself when he was alive. Rick was a criminal who did time for a terrible crime that he committed. If anything, from the estate that he left behind, his family should contribute something themselves to the city of Buffalo in his name. Why should we have to pay for something for someone who did nothing for anyone here in the City of Buffalo. And for all you Buffolonians who get upset about this, you know that this is the truth and nothing but the truth. Face it, again I say, RICK JAMES DID NOTHING FOR THE CITY OF BUFFALO and this year should be the last year that he gets recognition in any of our parks.
Granted Rick James was a great muscian and songstress, however Rick James was from Buffalo, New York and after he achieved fame and fortune he did absolutely NOTHING for his hometown or the community that he lived in. When Rick James left Buffalo he did not look back, he never even came and gave a free concert to the people who supported him here at home. On Sunday, August 8, 2004 Rick was honored at our Martin Luther King Jr. park and it was stated that they would like to do this every year, they want to start a music scholarship for a music student in his name and also put up a statue of him. This is a bunch of bulls**t. Why do this now that he is dead HE should have done this himself when he was alive. Rick was a criminal who did time for a terrible crime that he committed. If anything, from the estate that he left behind, his family should contribute something themselves to the city of Buffalo in his name. Why should we have to pay for something for someone who did nothing for anyone here in the City of Buffalo. And for all you Buffolonians who get upset about this, you know that this is the truth and nothing but the truth. Face it, again I say, RICK JAMES DID NOTHING FOR THE CITY OF BUFFALO and this year should be the last year that he gets recognition in any of our parks.
Rick was an interesting guy, but it always amazes me how rock journalists completely skim over his career between 1964-1976 when he played with some really fascinating bands, largely in Canada. Contrary to most rock bios about the Mynah Birds, which always go on about the Neil Young connection, even though he was only with them for a few months at the most, the group contained some interesting characters throughout its two-year career. Rick later worked with Mike McKenna’s blues band, Mainline and an interesting outfit called Salt and Pepper. In the early 1970s, he recorded with a mini-Canadian supergroup called Heaven and Earth and then went to Los Angeles to record with Great White Cain. He also recorded with a Canadian version of the Stone City Band and recorded an album’s worth of material that never saw the light of day. Shame that no one picks up on this stuff.
Agreed that there are a number of questions to be raised re the Man ‘ Rick James’ I have this to say..
I rememmber his music first in the mid 80’s and watching his musical videos. Hey guys how many artists of this day have the originality he exhibited. The man had his unique style, and his music…profound. Amongst the artists of today with all their millions how many would say tracks like ‘cold blooded’, and ‘superfly’ where not simply superb.
Fela had style
Rick James had style
Jimi Hendrix had style
Original unique style.
I am a 36 year old percussionist based in London. I like originality as against what we are getting now. Inspiring…nil, Nonsense bling bling and the quest of excess indulgences… Profoundly yes.
I say rest in peace Brother
You see, Why are Muscians extreme , stylish and dress funky…its simply because the musical spirits dress in the same manner.
I speak from London City
I speak from my West African heritage
I speak from the loss of Love that the world is amiss today.
Peace brothers and sisters, the very sons and daughters of this world. We are the winner. PEACE
Sheyi ‘the gift’ Paul
http://www.sheyi.co.uk
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