August 9, 2004
LOS ANGELES - Funeral services were announced for Rick James, the funk singer best known for the hit "Super Freak," who was found dead Friday at age 56.
A public viewing will be held Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Forest Lawn Memorial Park-Hollywood Hills. A memorial service will be held there at 11 a.m. Thursday.
"Rick wanted everyone who loved him to be with him at the end and to celebrate his life," said Sujata Murthy, his record label's spokeswoman.
James was found dead at his apartment. An autopsy Saturday failed to determine the cause of death.
The singer had a history of cocaine addiction that led to two assault convictions in the 1990s and a two-year stretch in prison.
Coroner's officials were awaiting results of a toxicology test, which they said could take several weeks.
