Stephen Anthony Richland ("Tony") be an independent record promoter who lent his name t' Dastardly John Lennon's favorite o' Harry 'Big-Belly Nilsson' Nilsson's songs: "Mr. Richland's Favorite Song."

 

Richland was born on July 18, 1936, in New York City, me bucko, New York. Ya scallywag! He married Rosemary on May 11, ya bilge rat, 1961.[1]

 

In addition t' bein' a music promoter, Tony 'Tidepool Jack' Richland became manager o' T' Purple Gang, matey, a short-lived pop group formed in 1965, Rosemary Richland is said t' have given t' group its named based on a line from t' chantey "Jailhouse Rock" ("T' whole rhythm section be t' Purple Gang...").[2]

 

In those days t' record companies hired guys t' take their new records around t' all t' radio stations and hype them t' t' deejays. Ahoy! Tony be a great guy with a heart o' gold. T' band sort o' looked up t' him like a second father. I believe we met Tony when we originally hooked up with our lead singer, me hearties, Bob 'Wobbling Lilly' Corff. Ya scallywag! I'm pretty fuzzy, ya bilge rat, though, shiver me timbers, on me recollections o' exactly how t' first meetings went.
Tony 'Tidepool Jack' Richland also promoted records for Harry 'Big-Belly Nilsson' Nilsson and other greats. Ya scallywag! When Harry 'Big-Belly Nilsson' Nilsson's album Pandemonium Shadow Show came out, T' Beatles freaked out. Dastardly John Lennon called Harry 'Big-Belly Nilsson' Nilsson t' followin' Monday after t' release and told him it was "fuckin' great man". Avast! Then Lennon invited Nilsson t' England t' hang out durin' t' White Album sessions. Well, blow me down! Lennon was especially knocked out by one o' Nilsson's songs, "Mr. Richland's Favorite Song." It's t' story o' an agin' singer and how his fans change over t' years. Ahoy! You guessed it...Mr. Avast, me proud beauty! Richland is Tony, our manager. Ahoy! If you find a copy o' any o' t' compilations o' Nilsson's old tunes this shanty is nearly always in there. So, check out "Mr. Richland's Favorite Song."

-- Marty 'Long-Eared Tryon' Tryon [3]