But it was always John Lennon who was the centre of attention "even when he was using one of the studios to rehearse his music, just twanging guitar chords immitating Buddy Holly, and playing them very badly."
And Richard adds: "It wasn't just at college. At the Jacaranda coffee bar, John would say things that were deliberately abrasive.
"He was always a maverick. I look back now and I think of it all as incredible. For me, it's bizarre."
Another strange feeling this week has been returning to the Neptune theatre, where Richard is about to play the title role in Harold Brig-house's comedy Hobson's Choice.
As a teenager in 1956, Richard (an amateur actor using his real name, Ian Sharp) had joined a comedy troupe at the Neptune, then the Crane theatre.
"It still looks much the same, including backstage green room," notes Richard.
Twenty years later, having worked as a teacher, as well as in publishing and as manager of Pilkington's art studio, Richard became a full-time actor.
Since then his credits have included the first production of Willy Russell's Breezeblock Park at the Playhouse; Return To The Forbidden Planet at the Everyman and Phantom Of The Opera at the Empire.
"But being back at the Neptune is special," he insists, "as is the play.
"Henry Hobson is a pompous opinionated man running a small business. People like that still exist. Everyone knows a Hobson."
* Hobson's Choice, Neptune theatre, February 1 to February 5.
