JAMES' SONGS BACKDROP FOR FUNERAL SINGER PRAISED AS FAMILY MAN, FRIEND, MAKER OF GREAT MUSIC.Byline: Lisa M. Sodders Staff Writer Funk singer and record producer Rick James Rick James (born James Ambrose Johnson, Jr) (February 1 1948 – August 6 2004) was one of the most popular artists on the Motown label during the late 1970s and early 1980s. 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 Forest Lawn is the name of a number of different places:
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 Noun 1. sense of humor - the trait of appreciating (and being able to express) the humorous; "she didn't appreciate my humor"; "you can't survive in the army without a sense of humor" sense of humour, humor, humour and flamboyant style. ``(God) took a little extra time to make Rick James: 'I'm going to make him interesting,''' 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, Otis Williams 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 Nation of Islam: see Black Muslims. Nation of Islam or Black Muslims African American religious movement that mingles elements of Islam and black nationalism. It was founded in 1931 by Wallace D. , also spoke. Other notables at the service included Motown founder Berry Gordy; R&B singer Teena Marie; several members of the Mary Jane Girls The Mary Jane Girls were a popular American R&B, Soul, Funk and Pop group from the 1980s. The group consisted of four female members: Joanne "Jojo" McDuffie, Candice "Candi" Ghant, Kim "Maxi" Wuletich, and Ann "Cheri" Bailey. , which James created; singer Chaka Khan; singer Jermaine Jackson of the Jackson 5; and Bishop Noel Jones Bishop Noel Jones (born January 31, 1950) is the senior pastor of the City of Refuge Church in Gardena, California, alongside daughter and First Lady, Tifani Jones. The City of Refuge has about 17,000 members and was formerly the Greater Bethany Community Church. , of the City of Refuge City of Refuge may refer to:
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 The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is a non-profit performance rights organisation that protects its members' musical copyrights by monitoring public performances of their music, whether via a broadcast or live performance, and compensating . Lisa M. Sodders, (818) 713-3663 lisa.sodders(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1) Two of Rick James' children, daughter Ty and son Tazman, center, arrive with friends and family at Forest Lawn Memorial-Park, Hollywood Hills, for their father's funeral Thursday. James died in his sleep Aug. 6. (2) Maxi Bond, who sang with Rick James as a member of the Mary Jane Girls, arrives to attend his funeral. John McCoy/Staff Photographer |
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