Hundreds of friends and fans gathered Thursday to say farewell to a “Superfreak.”
A crowd of about 1,200 came to a memorial service for Rick James at the Forest Lawn cemetery in Hollywood Hills. Guests at the service included Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr., singer Chaka Kahn, Jermaine Jackson and others who worked with James or were fans of his work.
James died in his sleep last week at his home near Universal City. He was 56.
“On behalf of the James family, we would like to thank all of his fans. This is his moment of glory. He would’ve loved to have known he had this much support. We appreciate your prayers,” Ty James, the singer’s daughter, said Thursday.
Already known for hits “Superfreak” and “Give It to Me Baby,” James was introduced to a new generation with Dave Chappelle’s spoofs of the funk singer on “Chappelle’s Show.”
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Edited by RedEye staff (ritaredeye@tribune.com)
