September 12, 1981 – Rick James hits #1 with “Super Freak”
Rick James had been a big time hitmaker for several years, but his star status hit a new peak on this date in 1981, when his punk-funk opus, “Super Freak” hit #1.
Co-written with James and Alonzo Miller, the song was the first single from James’ multiplatinum album, Street Songs, and included the legendary soul group The Temptations (whose hit “Standing On The Top” in the following year was written and produced by James), getting the shout out on the bridge “Temptations sing!”
“Super Freak” became James’ signature song, and nearly a decade later became the sampled foundation for the future MC Hammer #1 hit, “You Can’t Touch This.”
Check out “Super Freak” below.
