Guitarist who replaced Jay Mayer of The Royal Guardsmen before they ever set foot in a studio.
It was at Tommy’s house that they laid down their first recording of “Snoopy vs. the Red Baron” for record producer Phil Gernhard. He was impressed enough with it to have them re-record it in a proper studio, although the boys didn’t think there was much difference between the two recordings. Although they would be forever dubbed “The Snoopy Band”, Tom and fellow Guardsman John Burdett were actually quite rebellious and were thrown out of high school because their hair was too long.
The Royal Guardsmen split in 1969 but reunited seven years later, adding some funky disco duds to their image, although they still played good old rock and roll. After about three years of touring, Tom Richards was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor and died in September 1979.
The Royal Guardsmen recordings
I Needed You (Chris Nunley/Barry Winslow)
Snoopy vs. the Red Baron (Phil Gernhard/Dick Holler)
Sources:
1. http://www.crazedfanboy.com/spotlight/guardsmen.html
2. http://www.classicbands.com/royalguardsmen.html