I decided to build up my band in Buffalo because Buffalo was where I had originally built up my own musical strength.

I was going to get drafted, but I didn't really want to go into the Army.

I'm not part of the Hollywood scene. I don't run around with 30 women. I have a very calm household. I'm surrounded by my grandkids and wonderful friends, and I consider myself very lucky.

I mean, Rick James was just a man-made image, the image I created. Just trying to live Rick James almost killed me.

I wanted my show to look like the fourth of July.

I try to make the audience forget all their problems -- for an hour and a half or so get them out of themselves, and space, and time, and consciousness.

Anybody that's old and closed-minded does not like Rick James... They don't like the fact that I'm free and I'm wide open.