Rick James Tribute Following Burial In Forest Lawn ..
by TFSnewsRoom/Buffalo.com
Tribute planned for Rick James following burial in Forest Lawn
A musical tribute to Rick James is planned Saturday in Martin Luther King Jr. Park.
Rick James will be buried Saturday in Forest Lawn, then memorialized in a free tribute at Martin Luther King Jr. Park, where many of the local musicians he helped are expected to appear.
"We just wanted to have an opportunity to pay tribute to him, not to have a funeral and then just send him to his grave site," said Common Council Member Brian C. Davis, whose uncle, Joe Diggs, provided backing vocals for some of James' recordings.
Born James Johnson Jr. in Buffalo, the 56-year-old James, whose unique brand of punk-funk music made him a superstar, died Friday in his sleep at his Los Angeles home.
The cause of death was pulmonary/cardiac failure, according to his Web site, www.rickjames.com. James had diabetes and a pacemaker and suffered a stroke in 1998, and those health conditions are believed to have contributed to his death. "James Johnson would want us to have a funeral," Davis said. "Rick James would want this to be a party."
A number of the musicians associated with James over the years are expected to be at the concert, including his band, the Stone City Band, although band leader Levi Ruffin Jr. said the band would not perform.
Among those who are expected to attend, but not necessarily perform, are Teena Marie, members of the Mary Jane Girls, and Process and the Doo Rags. James produced albums for all three.
Rodney Applebee and the Applebee Band are expected to be the main performers. The tribute will take place from 5 to 9 p.m.
"He employed a lot of people from the Buffalo area, and everyone wants to pay tribute to him and pay thanks to him for what he did," said Wade Hawkins, who played piano for James.
Before the tribute, there will be a public viewing from 11 a.m. to noon in St. John Baptist Church, 194 Goodell St. A funeral will be held at noon, followed by burial in Forest Lawn.
According to James' Web site, cameras, cell phone cameras, video cameras or any type of recording device will not be allowed at either ceremony.
His family is asking fans to send any photos of James to a special e-mail account, rick-
james@echo88.us. The photos will be used in a video montage at the memorial service.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Rick James to the American Cancer Society. Cards can be mailed to: Rick James Sympathy Cards, c/o Kramer Accountancy Corporation, 12300 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 310, Los Angeles, CA 90025
