I am rather calm, shy and reserved.  I don't like going out to discos, clubs or bars.  I like to stay at home, with my family.  I need to be in a quite environment in order to reload my batteries and get some energy in order to use it on my piano.  I don't speak loud and rarely get irritated.  I keep everything inside, in that way I think that I am emotional and romantic.

I would try to make music with a piece of reed or with a shell.  I do admire these flute players who can make music with just a piece of wood or with a glass.  I would also do some percussion with all the different kinds of material I would find on the island.  In any case I would find a way to make music!!

I like other musicians' music, especially instrumentalists like Chick Corea or Joe Sample.  I like Jazz and Jazz Rock, I'm not interested in paintings and sculpture... that's something I might discover in a few years time.  However sport is something I really like and it has been a big part of my life for over 20 years.  My guitarist Malik, who's also a sportsman, made me discover jogging, working out and weight lifting in order to eliminate all the stress and recover the energy I will need on stage.  I do like tennis even though I dedicate less time to it than before as my son is a passionate basketball player and has made me discover the pleasure of watching  basketball match.  A few years ago, I went to New York with my wife and son to especially watch basketball matches.  I still have a great memory of this time.

A lot of things happened in the past 30 years and a lot of new styles have emerges like Techno and Rap.  What is called 'World Music' or 'Ethnic Music' is something which has more importance now.  Even though popular music is now evolving, Classical or Semi-Classical, Jazz, Rock or Disco are still alive.  The extension of television channels and radio stations linked to the musical creation have created a need for everything new.  We are in a world of creativity and consumers.

I don't know whether you know the story of 'The Prince of Romance' but it was born in New York nearly 25 years ago.  I had performed at the Waldorf Astoria for a charity concert and the president of this charity happened to be Mrs. Nancy Reagan, the former First Lady of America.  After the concert Mrs. Reagan thanked me and said "You know Richard... you're really a "Prince of Romance".  The journalists quoted this in the press and most of the articles were titled "The Price of Romance".  She meant that my style of music is romantic: soft, evoking love, emotions, feelings...  As I am rather shy and reserved the combination of my music and personality are integral.

To be romantic is to be concerned with the beauty of the sky, of the sea, of nature, and to feel love while being surrounded by beauty.

To be romantic does not mean to be romantic from time to time: it comes from within: a general behaviour.  In fact I do not do special things to be romantic but I think I am romantic in my own way of talking, playing the piano, smiling, laughing, moving.  In fact I do not try to be so... I'm like this and people perceive it as being romantic.

This is true my music is often played in elevators, supermarkets, shops, in airplanes.. it is often background music when I'm put on hold when making telephone calls... this means that such kind of music is relaxing and anti-stressful.  You can hear it without being disrupted but can also listen to it.  I have been told that many drivers when they are locked in traffic jams, put on one of my CDs in order to catch their breath, lower their heart beat and/or simply relax.  I also have been told that lots of babies have been made when my music was being played... that's great... that's the music of love!!!  Nothing could please me more.