Rick James

In 1964, the prolific bassist Rick James found himself in Toronto playing with the rock band Mynah Birds. They would be a target of Motown Records’ investments two years later. Sadly, his time with the band was short-lived as military duties soon called him off. James would return to the music scene stronger than ever in the late-’70s and would go on to release career-defining hit songs such as Super Freaks and Give It to Me Baby.

Through his illustrious music career, James has established himself to be one of the most influential funk and soulful musicians of all time. Outside of music, he was known to party hard, and to say that he has lived a full life is truly an understatement for the Super Freak. Etched on his epitaph is his glamorous portrait to signify to his friends and loved ones that he will continue on to party in the afterlife.