Quick Facts
Biography
Richard Edwin Parris Jr. was a member of the Alternative Metal Grunge Band Animal Bag. Richard Edwin Parris Jr. (July 13, 1963 – March 9, 2010) was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, attending Providence Day School before graduating from East Mecklenburg High School. He went on to attend Appalachian State University and UNC Charlotte.
His first love being music, he began to study it at a relatively young age and eventually in the 1990s traveled to Los Angeles as a member of the group Animal Bag. The band signed a contract with Polygram Records. Animal Bag made three albums, the self-titled debut "Animal Bag" in 1992, the acoustic EP "Offering" and the unreleased album "Image Damage". Rich appeared with the group on the pilot episode of the television program My So-Called Life.
His talents lay in writing, composing, and playing music, especially all types of stringed instruments, but particularly the guitar. He returned to Charlotte, and continued his love of music.
Parris died unexpectedly after a brief illness on March 9, 2010 at the age of 46. He was working at that time with a new band called M4 Messenger (also featuring Otis Hughes from Animal Bag), who were about to release their new album. Rich was looking forward to performing with the band when he became ill in early March. Aside from music "Richie" had a love for all of nature, being passionate about many outdoor activities including hiking, mountain climbing, and camping.