I was angry about the fact that my father would beat my mother on a daily basis, that my mother would like take it in turn and beat on me. I was an abused child. I was mad about all those things, very bitter and very angry.

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

I dont have aluminum foil on my windows anymore.

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

After I saw Kiss on stage, I wanted my show to look like the fourth of July. The persona of Rick James was wild and crazy, sex, drugs and rock and roll.

Prison was a blessing. Going to prison was the greatest thing that happened to me. It showed me that I wasn't infallible. It showed me that I was just human. It showed me that I can be back with my ghetto brothers I grew up with and have a good time. It taught me to cool out. It taught me patience. It taught me that I didn't ever want to lose my freedom. It taught me that drugs bring on the devil. It taught me to grow up.

My teacher said I would either be a hoodlum, or a great entertainer.