A new documentary reveals Rick James helped propel Lionel Richie’s career after he snorted coke and exposed his penis to a Motown boss back in the day.
The wild story was told by Kerry Gordy, James’ former manager and son of Motown founder Berry Gordy, according to The New York Post. His account was featured in Bitchin: The Sound and Fury of Rick James, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on Tuesday.
Gordy claimed James was upset because his 1982 album Throwin’ Down flopped and his tickets to his tour weren’t moving. The “Super Freak” singer went to Motown’s offices to deliver his LP and stormed in the office of label president Jay Lasker. After he handed the project over, James reportedly poured cocaine on Lasker’s desk and snorted it.
James then jumped on Lasker’s desk, exposed his ding-a-ling and put it Lasker’s face. Gordy said he yelled “Sell my goddamn record!”
After James was gone, Gordy looked at Lasker and said “Lionel Richie.”
In other words, James’ love of the coco prompted his team to focus on another singer. His career suffered after the stunt.
Levi Ruffin Jr., James’ keyboardist, was also interviewed for the documentary and admitted drugs were plentiful. Daily Beast reports the singer was addicted to cocaine, pills and alcohol during his prolific career.
“There was plenty of dope around,” said Ruffin Jr., “I think I snorted everything on God’s planet Earth when I was in the band.”
James died from cardiac and pulmonary failure in 2004 at 56 years old. At the time of his death, James had nine drugs, including cocaine and methamphetamine, in his system, per MTV News.
However, he was able to speak from beyond the grave thanks to archival footage provided to the documentary’s creators. During one interview, the funk legend was open about his drug issue.
“We were f–king standing on the verge of insanity in those days,” James said, reported Baller Alert. “Everybody was snorting cocaine. Everybody was taking quaaludes, drinking Cristal and Dom Perignon champagne, and getting butt naked and doing it in the bathroom.”
Bitchin: The Sound and Fury of Rick James is currently streaming on Tribeca at Home.
