Here’s How Music Pioneer Rick James Escaped Being Murdered by the Manson Family

Legendary R&B singer Rick James lived through enough drama for many lifetimes. He was known for his funky tunes, pleasure-loving, and energetic lifestyle, but the musician was often associated with controversies and tragedy.

Many still remember the singer for his drug and sex addiction; however, he had quite an interesting personal life. The legend was married twice and had four children. James tied the knot for the first time with Kelly Misener in 1974.

James and Misener enjoyed marital bliss for only five years before calling it quits. His second marriage was to Tanya Hijazi. The pair first met each other in 1989; in 1990, they tied the knot, and in 1993 they welcomed their son, Tazman.

Apart from Tazman, James was also a doting father to his daughter Tyenza, and sons Trey and Rick James Jr, who he fathered from previous relationships. Sadly in 2004, the legendary singer died after suffering a heart attack. He was aged 56.

Ten years after his demise, his memoir, "Glow: The Autobiography of Rick James" was published. The biography was sold on Amazon and gave a detailed narration of the musician's life. Several stories caught the attention of the public, but one stood out.

He revealed that he escaped being murdered by the Manson Family due to a hangover. James had joined the Navy reserve at a young age, and due to his numerous involvements, he skipped Reserve sessions.

He had instructed four of his cult members to kill everyone at Polanski's house brutally.

He was eventually sent to Vietnam, but he fled to Toronto, where he began associating with local bands. Soon after, he was involved in the pimping game, and the singer brought his girlfriend, Seville, into the business.

James described pimping as inhuman, and not long after, he moved back to Los Angeles with Jay Sebring, who offered to invest in his music. One night Sebring invited James and his girlfriend to a party held at Roman Polanski's house.

The party which Polanski's wife, Sharon Tate, organized would turn out to be a bloodbath. James and his girlfriend were absent from the party, as they were nursing a terrible hangover.

The next morning, James was informed that Tate, Sebring, and other guests were gruesomely murdered at the party by the Manson Family. Charles Manson, the leader of the Manson Family cult, was a criminal and one of the most infamous figures in criminal history.

He had instructed four of his cult members to kill everyone at Polanski's house brutally. Reports had it that all in attendance at the party were stabbed to death.

Two years later, Charles Manson, alongside the perpetrators of the murder were arrested. Manson was sentenced to death, but a year later, his sentence was reduced to life in prison.