Richard Townend Guitarist Singer Songwriter 

Rich T began his professional journey in music after graduating from Leeds College of Music in 1984, where he studied guitar and composition. At the time, Leeds was one of the few institutions in the UK offering a degree in Light Music—a genre that embraced jazz, pop, and contemporary performance. This unique training opened doors to a vibrant career, touring with some of Britain’s most beloved entertainers including Ronnie Corbett, Charlie Drake, Les Dennis, Dana, The Platters, and Tony Christie.

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In the late 1980s, Richard relocated to London and gradually stepped away from the professional music circuit. Though he continued to play for enjoyment, the sparkle of the scene had dimmed. By 2001, after moving to Essex, he made the quiet decision to retire from music altogether—hanging up his guitar with no plans to return.

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But inspiration has a way of finding its way back. Later that decade, after watching a jam session at the Bewick Suite in Maldon, Essex, Richard felt the pull once more. He retrieved his guitars from hock, formed The Boss Cats, and began gigging as a hard-rocking blues trio in the spirit of Stevie Ray Vaughan. Over time, the sound evolved—cooler, more reflective—and so emerged The Mighty Bosscats.

In 2011, Richard committed to writing and recording with renewed purpose. Since then, he has released seventeen albums (Jan 2011 – Nov 2025), 15 studio and 2 live, one recorded in Moscow - each a testament to his eclectic musical influences—blending blues, jazz, country, and beyond. His work has earned critical acclaim and multiple nominations in the British Blues Awards for Original Song and Album (2012–2016, 2018), with several albums reaching No.1 in the Independent British Blues Chart. 

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Alongside the music, Richard has produced over 170 videos to accompany his songs, all available on his YouTube channeland website. These visual narratives add depth and character to his compositions, reflecting his passion for storytelling and experimentation.

Since returning to music, Richard has performed nationally and internationally—both solo and with his band—and has led songwriting workshops across the UK. Often described as a prolific writer, he has recorded well over 150 songs and penned more than 300. His style draws favorable comparisons to JJ Cale, Chris Rea, and Dire Straits, yet remains distinctly his own.