[Edited 7/10/14 15:38pm]

I could have sworn I already read Rick James's autobiography.

Rick's own autobiograpy was good, I wonder what else David can add to it

I've been wondering about this too. Is it the same book with just some added bits by Ritz? Or something new that's based on interviews between the two?

I enjoyed the Marvin one, quite a lot actually, so his added views on whatever Rick has had to say himself could make it a more balanced read.

I always enjoy reading biographies written by other people about celebrities. When celebs write their own autobiographies, they tend to leave a lot of things outs, things that people really want to know. I didn't know Rick wrote an autobiography that was actually released so I don't know if he did the same thing.

[Edited 5/12/14 6:18am]

I loved Rick's autobiography and the Marvin Gaye biography by Ritz's so this will propably be a great read. I'm just wondering how much it differs from Rick's book if it's advertized as an autobiography. I wouldn't like to buy the same book twice

I was at Rick's funeral service in LA.

It was QUITE a spectacle.

The thing that stands out the most, to me, was Sherry Carter, who as you know hosted Video Soul with Donnie Simpson for many, many a year. She was one of the folks who was called to the podium to eulogize Rick.

She talked about the fact that she and Donnie had interviewed and hung out in the studio over the years with EVERY SINGLE PERSON who was ANYONE in the world of black music, more often than not on multiple occasions. She stated that BY FAR Rick James was the BIGGEST STAR she or Donnie had ever met or worked with or come into contract with. That there was NOT a close second. Nobody had more PESONALITY, more FINESSE, more STARPOWER, more IT factor. NOBODY.

Rick's first autobiography was a good read - but I never felt it really captured the essence of the man's life. This is America and Rick James has been made into a cartoon character because, at the end of the day, that's the only way America could process a public personality like Rick James. The issue - or spectre, more accurately - of black male sexuality plays too central a role in how the American ruling class has kept control over the masses for hundreds of years for Rick to be dealt with in a frank and upfront manner and embraced for his humanity. They made him a cartoon character so they could dismiss him and not deal openly with thie aspects of the American historical psyche that his music and life forced to the surface.

So, yes, there is most definitely another Rick James bio/auto-bio to be written. MOST DEFINITELY.

kitbradley said:

I always enjoy reading biographies written by other people about celebrities. When celebs write their own autobiographies, they tend to leave a lot of things outs, things that people really want to know. I didn't know Rick wrote an autobiography that was actually released so I don't know if he did the same thing.

[Edited 5/12/14 6:18am]

To be fair, Rick did outed Teena's bisexuality. And of course, Rick said plenty about his feud with Prince.

[Edited 5/13/14 5:56am]

TonyVanDam said:

kitbradley said:

I always enjoy reading biographies written by other people about celebrities. When celebs write their own autobiographies, they tend to leave a lot of things outs, things that people really want to know. I didn't know Rick wrote an autobiography that was actually released so I don't know if he did the same thing.

[Edited 5/12/14 6:18am]

To be fair, Rick did outed Teena's bisexually. And of course, Rick said plenty about his feud with Prince.

Yeah, well, too bad he didn't out himself. If I were a betting man, I would bet the house Rick was swingin' both ways himself.

kitbradley said:

TonyVanDam said:

To be fair, Rick did outed Teena's bisexually. And of course, Rick said plenty about his feud with Prince.

Yeah, well, too bad he didn't out himself. If I were a betting man, I would bet the house Rick was swingin' both ways himself.

kitbradley said:

TonyVanDam said:

To be fair, Rick did outed Teena's bisexually. And of course, Rick said plenty about his feud with Prince.

Yeah, well, too bad he didn't out himself. If I were a betting man, I would bet the house Rick was swingin' both ways himself.

I can't say for sure but he sure was looking suspect at times after he got out

of prison.

phunkdaddy said:

kitbradley said:

Yeah, well, too bad he didn't out himself. If I were a betting man, I would bet the house Rick was swingin' both ways himself.

I can't say for sure but he sure was looking suspect at times after he got out

of prison.

Please! He was suspect WAAAAAY before he went to prison.

I bought Rick's typo-ridden memoir several years ago. If a used copy of Glow is available in several months, out of curiosity, I'll purchase it.

[Edited 5/13/14 15:32pm]

kitbradley said:

I always enjoy reading biographies written by other people about celebrities. When celebs write their own autobiographies, they tend to leave a lot of things outs, things that people really want to know. I didn't know Rick wrote an autobiography that was actually released so I don't know if he did the same thing.

[Edited 5/12/14 6:18am]

He could not have left too much out. I mean the stuff he put in the book was wild and I believe the only things left out may have been stuff the publisher might have been afraid of getting sued over.

kitbradley said:

I always enjoy reading biographies written by other people about celebrities. When celebs write their own autobiographies, they tend to leave a lot of things outs, things that people really want to know. I didn't know Rick wrote an autobiography that was actually released so I don't know if he did the same thing.

[Edited 5/12/14 6:18am]

He could not have left too much out. I mean the stuff he put in the book was wild and I believe the only things left out may have been stuff the publisher might have been afraid of getting sued over.

phunkdaddy said:

kitbradley said:

Yeah, well, too bad he didn't out himself. If I were a betting man, I would bet the house Rick was swingin' both ways himself.

I can't say for sure but he sure was looking suspect at times after he got out

of prison.

Was he bisexual or just hight out of his mind.

kitbradley said:

Why on every thread on this site someone is calling someone gay or on the DL?....

this is great. george benson, george clinton, sheila e also has books coming out.

Rick's book didn't seem to pull any punches at all. This book here will be interesting....like someone said I wonder if the same book just with added information

The review of the book says David Ritz collaborated with Rick on this. I didn't read Rick's autobiography. Anyone know was David apart of that one?

kitbradley said:

laurarichardson said:

I wouldnt mind having that image as a t shirt

[Edited 5/18/14 9:43am]

getxxxx said:

I wish they would find some more footage from the 'Street Songs' tour and release it as a DVD.