You can learn a lot when you play in a little town in Holland or Western Australia, and you learn different things than you would learn playing a big city.

Solo

Following the Modern Lovers' final breakup Richman went on sabbatical for a few years staying in Appleton Maine and playing at local bars in Belfast Maine. David Bowie covered "Pablo Picasso" on his album Reality. Sharpe an avant-garde jazz player on the Boston scene who later went on to become a member of pianist Carla Bley's band.

He is known for his wide-eyed unaffected and childlike outlook and music that while rooted in rock and roll often draws on influences from around the world. Since the mid-1970s Richman has worked either solo or with low-key generally acoustic backing.