Rick James 1948 - 2004

Funk legend Rick James, the Motown Records artist best known for his 1981 hit 'Super Freak,' died on August 7, 2004 at age 56. While much is known about James' "Super Freak" period, relatively little is known about the period during the 1960's when he formed a band known as the Mynah Birds with Neil Young.

The name of the band Mynah Birds was apparently a takeoff of the well known folk-rock band The Byrds.

From the book "Shakey", Jimmy McDonough writes of the electrifying gigs with James and Young. "Neil would stop playing lead, do a harp solo, throw the harmonica way up in the air and Ricky would catch it and continue the solo."

Now how cool would that have been to see? Certainly way far out cool for the 1960's.

More on Rick James, The Mynah Birds and Neil Young.