Jonathan Richman (born 16 May 1951) is a American singer, songwriter and guitarist. In 1970 he founded The Modern Lovers, originally an influential proto-punk band, but since the mid-1970s has worked either solo or with low-key, generally acoustic backing. He is known for his wide-eyed[1], unaffected (and occasionally near-childlike) lyrical outlook, and music that, while rooted in rock and roll, often draws on influences from around the world.