(December 17, 2020) The king of “punk funk,” Rick James, lived a wild life that sometimes overshadowed his brilliant musical career. And never was that more apparent than when he was charged and tried in the early 90s for kidnapping and assault, even as he was battling terrible drug addictions.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, this wild period of James’ life will be a principal part of Super Freak, a biographical miniseries on James' life that is being created by a division of Universal Studios. James’ daughter, Ty James, will serve as executive producer. She told the magazine, “This will be a magic carpet ride, with ups and downs, joys and pain — a story of perseverance and tenacity, with the music being the greatest navigation system. Get ready for the ride of your lives — the story of James A. Johnson, aka Rick James."
(December 17, 2020) The king of “punk funk,” Rick James, lived a wild life that sometimes overshadowed his brilliant musical career. And never was that more apparent than when he was charged and tried in the early 90s for kidnapping and assault, even as he was battling terrible drug addictions.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, this wild period of James’ life will be a principal part of Super Freak, a biographical miniseries on James' life that is being created by a division of Universal Studios. James’ daughter, Ty James, will serve as executive producer. She told the magazine, “This will be a magic carpet ride, with ups and downs, joys and pain — a story of perseverance and tenacity, with the music being the greatest navigation system. Get ready for the ride of your lives — the story of James A. Johnson, aka Rick James."
James, who died at age 56 in 2004, has been the subject of several documentaries, but this series promises to be the most in depth, scripted look at one of the most brilliant and troubled artists of the second half of the 20th century. There is no question that James' larger-than-life persona and his mercurial ways are powerful material for this series.
We will keep SoulTrackers posted as we learn more.