Super Freak: The Life of Rick James

by Peter Benjaminson

Few American superstar stories are richer, wilder, or more excessive than Rick James’s. He played in a band with Neil Young, spent years in jail, produced his first album (which was then picked up by Motown) with money from shadowy sources, crossed rock and funk to come up with one of the best-selling albums of the 1980s, became one of the biggest pop star of the era, turned a young white woman named Teena Marie into an R&B superstar, displayed an outrageously sex and drug-filled lifestyle, was tried and found guilty of assaulting and imprisoning a young woman, went on to record new music that was compared to the Beatles’ White Album, and ended his life as a punch line for Dave Chappelle. And along the way, he scored a large number of major hits, sold tens of millions of albums and became intimate with dozens of big-name celebrities.
            Rick James attempted to tell his own story—in two different books—but left out many incidents that showed what he was really like. Nobody has written the full truth about his life. Now, based on court records, newspaper archives, and extensive interviews with dozens of family members, band members, friends, and lovers, here is the definitive biography of Motown’s most controversial superstar. 

Genres: Music, Biography, Nonfiction

384 pages, Hardcover

Published March 1, 2017

About the author

Born in Washington, D.C., Peter was a reporter and City-County Bureau Chief for the Detroit Free Press from 1970-76.

While at the Free Press, he wrote the book "Investigative Reporting," with Dave Anderson (Indiana University Press, 1976 and Iowa State University Press, 1990), the first how-to book in that field. It was in print for 20 years.

In 1979 he wrote "The Story of Motown," and from 1979 to 1981 he was a reporter for the Atlanta Journal and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He taught journalism at Binghamton University, New York University, and Columbia University from 1981-91.

In 1984, he wrote "Death in the Afternoon: America's Newspaper Giants Struggle for Survival" (Andrews, McMeel), the first and only book about the death of afternoon newspapers in America's big cities.

In 1992, he wrote "Publish Without Perishing" (National Education Association and National Writers Union); and in 1997, he wrote "Secret Police" (New York: Barricade Books).

From 1991-1994 he was the spokesman for the NYC Department of Investigation. He was Assistant Editor of the Chief Leader Newspaper in New York City from 1994-1998 and the spokesman for the NYC Correction Officers Benevolent Association from 1998-2003. In 2003 and 2009 he was the spokesman for Members for Change in NYC Teamsters Local 237.

Reviews

[Paige]

Great book, if you just want the facts. I think I would enjoy the book Rick James actually wrote himself much better.

[Sara]

One of the best biographies I have ever read. Detailed and thorough, but it's also a swift read. Liked that there were many short chapters; it made it easier to put the book down when I had to stop reading (which I never wanted to do). Wow, did Rick James live an incredible life. His path crossed a who's who list of celebs from the movie and music worlds, and he kept up with him. I had no idea the breadth of music he released in his lifetime and the other groups, such as Teena Marie, the Mary Jane Girls, and the Stone City Band he was involved with. (Loved the story of his early years in the music business playing in a band with Neil Young. Who would have thought it)? That and much much more is revealed in the book. Even if you're a casual Rick James fan, you will learn so much about the music business of the 1970s/80s+. Filled with sex, drugs, rock n'roll and so many stories you have to read to believe. I really enjoyed the book and look forward to more books written by author Peter Benjaminson. I also recommend his books on Florence Ballard and Mary Wells — great Motown history.

[Amona]

Rick was such a character!
Outside of the drugs I do wonder how creative he would have been.

[RJ Johnson]

I've been huge fan of his since 1981 and I learned so much more about him and what he went through. The writer is a very deep researcher and dug out a lot of great stories about his life.

[E A B]

The Original Super Freak

This is the third biography of Rick James that I have read. It did not disappoint me because because the author used many sources for this book.

[Under The]

Poorly researched, sloppy writing and poorly put together. Far better books on Rick James out there so avoid this one.

[Doris Raines]

REAL FUNK. THANKS RICK JAMES🏍🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸

[Deborah D]

This is a good read. You will learn a lot of things about Rick that you didn't know.