Would he be relevant or struggling to gain an audience?

Would he be like Keith Sweat or sumthin'? Ya know...touring with old material and tyrna be a straight to ghetto DVD actor?

Discuss.

He'd probably still be performing and appearing in awards shows here and there.

He would've been like Alice Cooper.

I think he would be the latest greatest producer. The man was gifted.

He'd be sitting on his ass and people would be wondering what happened to him.

I know people that caught his last tour and said it was horrible.

daPrettyman said:

He'd be sitting on his ass and people would be wondering what happened to him.

I know people that caught his last tour and said it was horrible.

say it aint so

If Rick was alive, his interviews & talk show commentaries would be a far better sell than his (non-funk releated) music.

I would have loved to hear Rick's views about Rebecca Black, Lady Gaga, and the most recent fall out of Michael-fans & KISS-fans.

daPrettyman said:

He'd be sitting on his ass and people would be wondering what happened to him.

I know people that caught his last tour and said it was horrible.

Honestly he shouldn't have tried to make a comeback. Now that I think about it, he was pretty much RETIRED until 2003, 2004 when the Chappelle episode made him popular again. But he was out of shape and wasn't the same great performer of years past.

Timmy84 said:

daPrettyman said:

He'd be sitting on his ass and people would be wondering what happened to him.

I know people that caught his last tour and said it was horrible.

Honestly he shouldn't have tried to make a comeback. Now that I think about it, he was pretty much RETIRED until 2003, 2004 when the Chappelle episode made him popular again. But he was out of shape and wasn't the same great performer of years past.

He needed more rehab and therapy. His health had not returned. These artist who have suffered the traps of drug addiction always try to return to work too soon. I know they need the money but your health is more important. I hope Eldra realizes this.

HotGritz said:

Timmy84 said:

Honestly he shouldn't have tried to make a comeback. Now that I think about it, he was pretty much RETIRED until 2003, 2004 when the Chappelle episode made him popular again. But he was out of shape and wasn't the same great performer of years past.

He needed more rehab and therapy. His health had not returned. These artist who have suffered the traps of drug addiction always try to return to work too soon. I know they need the money but your health is more important. I hope Eldra realizes this.

Yeah I saw a video of him on YouTube just days before he died - or it could've been the night before - and I almost broke down in tears. He was strumming on a guitar looking sick with some girl and he was, slurringly saying "I'm Rick James bitch" or something.

Timmy84 said:

HotGritz said:

He needed more rehab and therapy. His health had not returned. These artist who have suffered the traps of drug addiction always try to return to work too soon. I know they need the money but your health is more important. I hope Eldra realizes this.

Yeah I saw a video of him on YouTube just days before he died - or it could've been the night before - and I almost broke down in tears. He was strumming on a guitar looking sick with some girl and he was, slurringly saying "I'm Rick James bitch" or something.

yyesss. just tragic. i think, in a way, he knew he wasn't going to live much longer. he was saying goodbye. so terribly sad.

HotGritz said:

Timmy84 said:

Yeah I saw a video of him on YouTube just days before he died - or it could've been the night before - and I almost broke down in tears. He was strumming on a guitar looking sick with some girl and he was, slurringly saying "I'm Rick James bitch" or something.

yyesss. just tragic. i think, in a way, he knew he wasn't going to live much longer. he was saying goodbye. so terribly sad.

Yeah that's how it felt to me too.

Timmy84 said:

daPrettyman said:

He'd be sitting on his ass and people would be wondering what happened to him.

I know people that caught his last tour and said it was horrible.

Honestly he shouldn't have tried to make a comeback. Now that I think about it, he was pretty much RETIRED until 2003, 2004 when the Chappelle episode made him popular again. But he was out of shape and wasn't the same great performer of years past.

And that bother the living hell out of Teena Marie as well.

As much as the "I'm Rick James, bitch!" slogan gave Rick another opportunity for a musical comeback, it also turn him into somewhat of a self-parody. Instead of going back to being Rick "MotherF***ing" James (as he used to tell Teena in a heated argument) and being back The Funk, he was too comfortable with "I'm Rick James, bitch" and gave his fans a final career album that sounded like a Sade rip-off.

[Edited 8/16/11 15:08pm]

He'd be performing and that posthumous album would've never came out.

He also may have been doing a reality show of some type by now. BET/VH1 would have loved to have him on Celebrity Rehab so they could try to capture him being a trainwreck.

daPrettyman said:

He also may have been doing a reality show of some type by now. BET/VH1 would have loved to have him on Celebrity Rehab so they could try to capture him being a trainwreck.

Which is why I'm glad he's no longer of this planet because that would've been real embarassing (sp?).

Timmy84 said:

daPrettyman said:

He also may have been doing a reality show of some type by now. BET/VH1 would have loved to have him on Celebrity Rehab so they could try to capture him being a trainwreck.

Which is why I'm glad he's no longer of this planet because that would've been real embarassing (sp?).

4 sure!

Timmy84 said:

daPrettyman said:

He also may have been doing a reality show of some type by now. BET/VH1 would have loved to have him on Celebrity Rehab so they could try to capture him being a trainwreck.

Which is why I'm glad he's no longer of this planet because that would've been real embarassing (sp?).

He might have been the first Flava of Luv.

It'll be called Rick looks for Mary Jane or something.

LittleBLUECorvette said:

Timmy84 said:

Which is why I'm glad he's no longer of this planet because that would've been real embarassing (sp?).

He might have been the first Flava of Luv.

It'll be called Rick looks for Mary Jane or something.

Or a "music" talent contest to be "the next Mary Jane Girls". I wouldn't see that either lol

Timmy84 said:

daPrettyman said:

He also may have been doing a reality show of some type by now. BET/VH1 would have loved to have him on Celebrity Rehab so they could try to capture him being a trainwreck.

Which is why I'm glad he's no longer of this planet because that would've been real embarassing (sp?).

I don't think Rick can be embarassed. He appeared on an episode of the People's Court (or some court show).

MickyDolenz said:

Timmy84 said:

Which is why I'm glad he's no longer of this planet because that would've been real embarassing (sp?).

I don't think Rick can be embarassed. He appeared on an episode of the People's Court (or some court show).

That's besides the point. Him being on there was BAD enough.

MickyDolenz said:

Timmy84 said:

Which is why I'm glad he's no longer of this planet because that would've been real embarassing (sp?).

I don't think Rick can be embarassed. He appeared on an episode of the People's Court (or some court show).

Judge: Rick, you are ordered to pay the total of $1,500.

Rick: Your Honor ... Bitch, I'm Rick James

[Edited 8/16/11 18:38pm]

He would have been all over the place with MJ in a good way, and cursed the shit out of Gene Simmons, as someone said

Award appearances for sure too with occasional performances, and maybe summer or casino tours?

daPrettyman said:

He'd be sitting on his ass and people would be wondering what happened to him.

I know people that caught his last tour and said it was horrible.

I'm afraid to say u are right. I caught Rick James on tour with Teena Marie, The year he passed. It was so sad seeing him in that condition. He could barely make it through the set. Teena was gracious to bring him on that tour with her. It brought back memories seeing them live when I was a kid. To see him stumbling and barely singing through a song now was horrfying. The audience was laughing at him. It chokes me up to think now Teena is gone to. .

Rick would be in no good condition if he stayed alive. His body was ruined from years of drugs. Just like if Marvin Gaye would have still been alive.

daPrettyman said:

He also may have been doing a reality show of some type by now. BET/VH1 would have loved to have him on Celebrity Rehab so they could try to capture him being a trainwreck.

It was bad enough when he appeared on the Surreal Life with Erik Estrada, Tammy Faye Baker, Ron Jeremy, and Vanilla Ice...although he was one of the more sane ones on it.

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

daPrettyman said:

He'd be sitting on his ass and people would be wondering what happened to him.

I know people that caught his last tour and said it was horrible.

I'm afraid to say u are right. I caught Rick James on tour with Teena Marie, The year he passed. It was so sad seeing him in that condition. He could barely make it through the set. Teena was gracious to bring him on that tour with her. It brought back memories seeing them live when I was a kid. To see him stumbling and barely singing through a song now was horrfying. The audience was laughing at him. It chokes me up to think now Teena is gone to. .

Rick would be in no good condition if he stayed alive. His body was ruined from years of drugs. Just like if Marvin Gaye would have still been alive.

My heart goes out to you, it's not easy losing people you admire. I'm still dealing with mj

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

daPrettyman said:

He'd be sitting on his ass and people would be wondering what happened to him.

I know people that caught his last tour and said it was horrible.

I'm afraid to say u are right. I caught Rick James on tour with Teena Marie, The year he passed. It was so sad seeing him in that condition. He could barely make it through the set. Teena was gracious to bring him on that tour with her. It brought back memories seeing them live when I was a kid. To see him stumbling and barely singing through a song now was horrfying. The audience was laughing at him. It chokes me up to think now Teena is gone to. .

Rick would be in no good condition if he stayed alive. His body was ruined from years of drugs. Just like if Marvin Gaye would have still been alive.

You hit the nail on the head. He would've been better staying in Europe, I still say it because going back to Los Angeles and that drug lifestyle destroyed him.

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

daPrettyman said:

He'd be sitting on his ass and people would be wondering what happened to him.

I know people that caught his last tour and said it was horrible.

I'm afraid to say u are right. I caught Rick James on tour with Teena Marie, The year he passed. It was so sad seeing him in that condition. He could barely make it through the set. Teena was gracious to bring him on that tour with her. It brought back memories seeing them live when I was a kid. To see him stumbling and barely singing through a song now was horrfying. The audience was laughing at him. It chokes me up to think now Teena is gone to. .

Rick would be in no good condition if he stayed alive. His body was ruined from years of drugs. Just like if Marvin Gaye would have still been alive.

Didn't know about this. I'm sorry to hear about it.

It is just sad. None of the artist I admired growing up is here anymore. That is why i am so passionate about Prince. Giving him his props while he is still here. Also Janet. There will never be another one of them. So people need to show more appreciation for them.NOW!

I was sad when Aaliyah and Left Eye passed too, but it was not comparable to Michael. Janet and Madonna are in my top 3 and I would be devestated if something happened to them too so I try to live in the moment, but it kinda hurts too cause I have seen them both in person already, and I never saw Mike though I came so close with 2 London shows and wanted to see him more than anyone else and feel his love and energy and talent and all. I knew it wouldn't be like another Victory, Bad or Dangerous, but I knew he would still give it his all regardless and entertain, but also wish he didn't do it if it was going to cost him his life like this :*( maybe both he and rick should have stayed overseas