As a solo artist,
Nikki Richards, aged 18, released the singles "If I Could Tell the World" and "I Wonder What You're Doing Tonight" on
Ember Records in 1978, with both singles being included on his debut solo album ''I Wonder What You're Doing Tonight''. While the album itself was apparently not released in America, a third single from it, "Dance" did see a U.S. release the same year. An additional non-album single "Oh Boy!" written by Brian Wade and produced by
Alan Winstanley followed in 1979. Richards then moved to
RCA Records for three more singles in 1980: "Tokyo Rising", "Factory Girl" and "Hot Love", all of which appeared on his self-titled follow-up album, released the following year. In 1983, he became known as
Nick Richards, and bought the Maison Rouge Recording Studios in London, where he put together the band
Boys Don't Cry, remembered for their 1986 hit, "
I Wanna Be a Cowboy". Boys Don't Cry re-recorded some of Richards' songs from his solo career, including "Josephine," which first appeared on his self-titled second album. ==Personal life==