A couple things:
— First off: I really don’t need to get a “breaking email” for the death of Rick James. I get scared when I see a “breaking email” notifications, what with Code Orange, and the general state of the world at the moment – so I have to admit – I opened it up, and saw “Rick James, Dead at 56” and I laughed out loud. I am evil.
— Say what you will about his insane life (Rick? Untie that woman, and put. The crack pipe. DOWN) “Super Freak” still gets radio play and has the potential to turn any boring wedding into a wacked-out gyrating orgy
— Super Freak came out when I was a child, 9, 10, playing Hopscotch, wearing Keds sneakers, and riding my bike at full-throttle through my neighborhood. I had Band-aids on my knees. I was a CHILD. But even still: “Super Freak” (with its extremely age-appropriate first line: “She’s a very kinky girl”) somehow filtered down into my consciousness. I knew OF the song. And it scared the CRAP out of me. I remember hearing it, and I felt very very uncomfortable. Something in me knew: This is about sex, and I’m not ready for any of that.
— Additionally, I have a vivid memory of seeing him perform “Super Freak” on some show – maybe it was Solid Gold – and he had glitter all over his face so he looked slimy, or like he just came out of the pool – and that disturbed me (again, I was 10 years old) – and he also would take the microphone cord in his hands, and whip the microphone around wildly. This terrified me, for some reason. I didn’t like it.
So all in all. These are my memories of Rick James.
However: “Super Freak” (now that I’m grown up) is a great song, and obviously hugely influential. MC Hammer recognized the greatness of the sound of “Super Freak”, and Hammer’s song is, I submit to you, even better than the original. And you can still hear that guitar-line sampled in every other rap song.
When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a Solid Gold dancer for a while. This has nothing to do with the death of Rick James, but since you brought up the show, I thought I would confess.
Did you practice in front of the mirror?
So did I.
One of my co-workers came in and told me the news right after lunch. The first report we heard said he died of natural causes, so we spent some time speculating on what would qualify as “natural causes” as defined by Rick James.
But, to give credit where due, “Street Songs” really was a great album. In the Spring of 1982 it was in heavy rotation on the Cheney Hall (UC Berkeley) 2nd floor playlist.
Oh the guy was a classic. A real innovator. I was just way too young to really get it at the time he was a big star – he scared me.
Bonus points to anyone who can name the original Principal Dancer on Solid Gold. And I swear the only reason I remember this is that my brother teaches dance at Long Beach State and never missed the show…not to mention Deney Terrio’s “Dance Fever.”
wow, Jeff. Just … wow. I have no idea.
As Bruce Springsteen once sang, I got things runnin’ round my head…that I just can’t live down.
Her name was Darcel. She had what I believe would now be referred to as a “Nicole Kidman forehead.”
HAHAHAHAHAHA
Or an Elizabeth I forehead. same thing.
I can totally see Darcel in my mind right now
It took rap quite a few years to really discover the usefulness of “booty” in its songs and owes Rick James a ton. We are all richer for it.
Steve
We didn’t have any large mirrors in our house at that time, Sheila, so I never had the privilege.
Rick James was the first concert that I went to. It was at the Warwick Musical Theater (The Tent). The Mary Chain Girls opened up for him. I’m going to miss that old crackhead.
The Warwick Tent. Sigh.
Super Freak = the song on which I taught myself to play bass.
Much bummed.
Great bass line, just great.
I have no true recollection of exactly when I first Knew of Rick James. I feel as if I always knew him. Of his music, I mean, not personally.
Learning of his death at such a young age reminds me of relatives who ‘went early’ because of their lifestyle.
It’s a shame largely, because his drug habit was part of his persona. IT’s a tragedy, because I know whenever reports indicate ‘facts’ like ‘natural causes’ and ‘…in their sleep’ it tends to refer to points that are a delicate treatment to much more painful words.
The world will never forget how that man partied. His lyrics, scandalous, his style, provocative, and yes, his reputation lives on in the flattery of those who pay tribute to him in their own way. (M.C. Hammer, Dave Chappelle, Ol’ Dirty Bastard) At least Rick was able to witness these tributes with his own eyes in this life. Artists hardly live to see people appreciate their work.
He will be missed.
Rick James was a great writer/player,and actually played in a band in 1964 with Neil Young & Stephen Stills,pre- Buffalo Springfield………..My favorite Rick James tunes were “You & I”,and “Fire & Desire” with Teena Marie….
— First off: I really don’t need to get a “breaking email” for the death of Rick James. I get scared when I see a “breaking email” notifications, what with Code Orange, and the general state of the world, etc etc – so I have to admit – I opened it up, and saw “Rick James, Dead at 56” and I laughed out loud. I am evil.
Sheila. I must be evil as well, because reading this made me laugh out loud too. I’m still chuckling in fact.
It is pretty funny. Like:
“This just in: terrorists kidnap Rick James and make him smoke crack for 40 years until he dies. No heads were directly hurt in the kidnapping.”
I have a Rick James story for you, Sheila. Let me know when you want to hear it.
heh, heh, heh, heh……..
Haha that’s pretty funny.. Personally I always laugh when I get a breaking news alert about Code Orange..
Actually I don’t think any other rap record has ever sampled “Super Freak,” that I can recall.. A few of Rick’s other hits have been sampled much more often, especially “Mary Jane.”
does anyone know who, more specifically which rapper, sampled “mary jane”? thanks.