Rick James Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com Full Name: James Ambrose Johnson Jr. Profession: Musician Nationality: American Biography: The major popularizer of funk music in the late 1970s and early 1980s thanks to million-selling hits such as 'You and I' (1978), 'Give It to Me Baby' (1981) and 'Super Freak' (1981). Born: February 1, 1948 Birthplace: Buffalo, New York, USA Generation: Baby Boomer Chinese Zodiac: Pig Star Sign: Aquarius Died: August 6, 2004 (aged 56) Cause of Death: Pulmonary failure and cardiac failure Historical Events 1981-04-07 "Street Songs" 5th studio album by Rick James is released (Billboard Album of the Year 1981) 1991-08-02 Funk singer Rick James, arrested on sexual torture charges Famous MusiciansCarlos Santana Donovan Fatboy Slim John Coltrane Thom Yorke Walter Becker