Richard died one day after his 76th birthday. He thanked fans on social media earlier this week for the birthday wishes.
He said: “The celebration of Birthdays. Birthday cakes and candles were created by the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. Later on, someone said, ‘Let’s bring gifts to the birthday person’ … that was a good idea. In 1893, two sisters named Patty Hill and Mildred J. Hill wrote the song Happy Birthday to You. If the song was played on TV, radio, or a movie these sisters collected a royalty. Now, it is public domain.
“When I taught a class at Slimmons, on my birthday, they would have special cakes made for me. One was a sheet cake airbrushed with my picture on it … one was a Barbie doll, and her dress was the cake … also what about that cake with a big Disco ball on top? It was my birthday when we taped Groovin in the House … that one was a three-dimensional, three-foot cake in the shape of one of my Dalmatians … You know I cried.”
“So many of you have sent me birthday wishes on my Facebook and other platforms. I really appreciate that. I don’t know when your birthday is, but I wish you a happy and healthy birthday!” he added.
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