Richard was one of the most respected musicians in Buffalo in the 1960’s – wanting to be a jazz player. When Richard left WNY in 1969 to take that immense talent to California as one of Buffalo’s premier jazz keyboardist, he had no way of knowing he would end up on multi platinum and gold albums as keyboardist

with both Janis Joplin, with whom he recorded “Kozmic Blues”, and with Carlos Santana. From his days at the Ontario House, Richard’s career took him to television appearances on Ed Sullivan, to Carnegie Hall, and to touring with the likes of Joplin, Santana, and Malo. He recorded with those stars as well as Patti LaBelle. He even experienced Woodstock first hand as keyboardist for Janis Joplin. He passed away in January of 1996 at the age of 49.