Richard & the Young Lions
Richard and the Young Lions were an American garage rock band from Newark, … Read Full Bio ↴Richard and the Young Lions were an American garage rock band from Newark, New Jersey. They produced a moderately successful single with their song, "Open Up Your Door".
The Young Lions originally performed under the name, the Emeralds. When Richard Tepp saw the group perform, he was so impressed with the act, he joined the band, which resulted in changing their moniker to the Original Kounts. In addition to having a repertoire conceived of British Invasion cover versions, the band members became known as one of the more rebellious acts as a result of the bandmembers growing their hair long. After being discovered by Larry Brown, (a.k.a. L. Russell Brown) and Ray Bloodworth during a chance encounter in a Newark pizzeria and joining Bob Crewe Productions, the name was changed to Richard and the Young Lions. The core of the group consisted of Tepp (lead vocals and tambourine), Bob Freedman (rhythm guitar and vocals), Marc Lees (lead guitar and vocals), Norm Cohen (drums), Ricky Rackin (guitar and bass guitar), and Jerry Raff (piano).
The Young Lions managed to produce one minor hit with their song "Open Up Your Door". It reached number one in Cleveland, Ohio; Detroit, Michigan; Elyria, Ohio; and Salt Lake City, Utah; number two in Seattle, Washington and Vancouver, Canada; number three in Tucson, Arizona; and the Top 10 in many other cities in the US and Canada. Nationally, it peaked at number 99 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on September 24, 1966 and number 91 on the Record World Top 100 Pops chart on October 8, 1966. The corresponding Cash Box listing was at number 70 on October 22, 1966. The band made several television appearances including The Hy Lit Show and The Jerry Blavat Show out of Philadelphia, PA. They also appeared in the Detroit market on Robin Seymour's Swingin' Time show, out of Windsor, Ontario. A video of that appearance on Swingin' Time has survived to this day and can be found on line. And the band also made two appearances on the Upbeat TV show out of Cleveland, OH, hosted by Don Webster.
Their follow-up release, "Nasty", was chosen and released in late December 1966 and became a regional hit, but did not match the sales of their debut single. The Young Lions' final single, "You Can Make It" was released in February 1967 and received extensive radio play. However, the record company refused to distribute the single to the public, so "You Can Make It" failed to chart. The band sought to compose their own tracks, however they were no longer backed financially which led to their disbandment.
Band members
Current members:
The Twig
Lou Vlahakes
Fred Randall
Rick Robinson
Mike Fornatale
Past members:
Bob Freedman
Marc Lees
Norm Cohen
Ricky Rackin
Jerry Raff (RIP)
Eric Rackin (RIP)
Lawrence Smith
Shelly Riff
Richard Tepp died of leukemia in 2004.
A documentary on the band was produced in 2004, entitled Out of Our Dens: The Richard and the Young Lions Story by James Hannon and Leon Leybs, and narrated by preeminent radio personality Pat St. John. It featured the group's history from their early days to their reunion shows in the early 2000s. Howard "Richard" Tepp, died on 17 June 2004, about a week after this movie was completely finished and duplicated. Two days before his death, he watched the completed version for the first time.
The Invaders, a punk group featuring the original singer from The Sonics, recorded a cover version of "Open up Your Door" (retitled "Open up Yer Door") in 1979. The Romantics, a hit pop group from the 1980s, recorded the same song, which appeared on their album, In Heat, and on two of their live albums. "Open Up Your Door" has also been covered by; Bill Kennedy's Showtime, The Raving Mojos, The Demolition Doll Rods, The Flakes, The Goldstars, The Hunchmen, The Stance, and The Future Primitives. And their song, "You Can Make It" was covered by Las Membranas.
Discography
Singles
"Open Up Your Door" b/w "Once Upon Your Smile": Philips 40381 (1966) (both US and Canadian pressings)
"Nasty" b/w "Lost and Found": Philips 40414 (1966) (both US and Canadian pressings)
"You Can Make It" b/w "To Have and to Hold": Philips 40438 (1967) (both US and Canadian pressings)
Compilation appearances
"You Can Make It", their swan song, was compiled on Volume 12 of the Pebbles series in 1983.
"Open up Your Door" was featured on the 1998 four CD box set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era, 1965-1968.
The Young Lions originally performed under the name, the Emeralds. When Richard Tepp saw the group perform, he was so impressed with the act, he joined the band, which resulted in changing their moniker to the Original Kounts. In addition to having a repertoire conceived of British Invasion cover versions, the band members became known as one of the more rebellious acts as a result of the bandmembers growing their hair long. After being discovered by Larry Brown, (a.k.a. L. Russell Brown) and Ray Bloodworth during a chance encounter in a Newark pizzeria and joining Bob Crewe Productions, the name was changed to Richard and the Young Lions. The core of the group consisted of Tepp (lead vocals and tambourine), Bob Freedman (rhythm guitar and vocals), Marc Lees (lead guitar and vocals), Norm Cohen (drums), Ricky Rackin (guitar and bass guitar), and Jerry Raff (piano).
The Young Lions managed to produce one minor hit with their song "Open Up Your Door". It reached number one in Cleveland, Ohio; Detroit, Michigan; Elyria, Ohio; and Salt Lake City, Utah; number two in Seattle, Washington and Vancouver, Canada; number three in Tucson, Arizona; and the Top 10 in many other cities in the US and Canada. Nationally, it peaked at number 99 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on September 24, 1966 and number 91 on the Record World Top 100 Pops chart on October 8, 1966. The corresponding Cash Box listing was at number 70 on October 22, 1966. The band made several television appearances including The Hy Lit Show and The Jerry Blavat Show out of Philadelphia, PA. They also appeared in the Detroit market on Robin Seymour's Swingin' Time show, out of Windsor, Ontario. A video of that appearance on Swingin' Time has survived to this day and can be found on line. And the band also made two appearances on the Upbeat TV show out of Cleveland, OH, hosted by Don Webster.
Their follow-up release, "Nasty", was chosen and released in late December 1966 and became a regional hit, but did not match the sales of their debut single. The Young Lions' final single, "You Can Make It" was released in February 1967 and received extensive radio play. However, the record company refused to distribute the single to the public, so "You Can Make It" failed to chart. The band sought to compose their own tracks, however they were no longer backed financially which led to their disbandment.
Band members
Current members:
The Twig
Lou Vlahakes
Fred Randall
Rick Robinson
Mike Fornatale
Past members:
Bob Freedman
Marc Lees
Norm Cohen
Ricky Rackin
Jerry Raff (RIP)
Eric Rackin (RIP)
Lawrence Smith
Shelly Riff
Richard Tepp died of leukemia in 2004.
A documentary on the band was produced in 2004, entitled Out of Our Dens: The Richard and the Young Lions Story by James Hannon and Leon Leybs, and narrated by preeminent radio personality Pat St. John. It featured the group's history from their early days to their reunion shows in the early 2000s. Howard "Richard" Tepp, died on 17 June 2004, about a week after this movie was completely finished and duplicated. Two days before his death, he watched the completed version for the first time.
The Invaders, a punk group featuring the original singer from The Sonics, recorded a cover version of "Open up Your Door" (retitled "Open up Yer Door") in 1979. The Romantics, a hit pop group from the 1980s, recorded the same song, which appeared on their album, In Heat, and on two of their live albums. "Open Up Your Door" has also been covered by; Bill Kennedy's Showtime, The Raving Mojos, The Demolition Doll Rods, The Flakes, The Goldstars, The Hunchmen, The Stance, and The Future Primitives. And their song, "You Can Make It" was covered by Las Membranas.
Discography
Singles
"Open Up Your Door" b/w "Once Upon Your Smile": Philips 40381 (1966) (both US and Canadian pressings)
"Nasty" b/w "Lost and Found": Philips 40414 (1966) (both US and Canadian pressings)
"You Can Make It" b/w "To Have and to Hold": Philips 40438 (1967) (both US and Canadian pressings)
Compilation appearances
"You Can Make It", their swan song, was compiled on Volume 12 of the Pebbles series in 1983.
"Open up Your Door" was featured on the 1998 four CD box set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era, 1965-1968.
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Richard & the Young Lions Lyrics
19_Open Up Your Door Left you at eight, came back at nine Cause you got…
Action Woman Hey, Miss High & Mighty Had all I can take Walkin' on…
Dig We Must Don't wanna say much Don't wanna start But the way we cling…
Don't Drag Me Down cll I wanna say cll I wanna do cll I wanna be Is…
Don't Waste My Time Well I thought I was invited when you opened up…
Hurt By Love First time I saw you I just knew I had to…
I Ain't Missing You When you left thought I'd fall apart you left me for…
Nasty It's been nasty nasty day in a nasty nasty way she turned…
Once Upon Your Smile I was all alone when I met you your smiled at me…
One Kiss When I was a boy I wanted one kiss And a whole…
Open Up Your Door Left you at eight, came back at nine, cause you've got…
Open Up Your Door. Left you at eight, came back at nine Cause you got…
Open Your Door Left you at eight, came back at nine, cause you've got…
Warning Well I'm given you the warning you better listen to me…
You Can Make It I wanna know What it takes Tired now It's not right not righ…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Richard:
Alright When I saw you in the room I took a look…
Autumn Leaves The falling leaves drift by the window The autumn leaves of…
Baby Baby baby baby Won't you come with me? O with me? Baby baby…
Blessed Be the Name If you don't like your sister, don't you carry her…
Blue Moon Blue moon you saw me standing alone Without a dream in…
Body and Soul My heart is sad and lonely For you I sigh, for…
Boogie Woogie Boogie My name is Jerry Lee Lewis, come from Louisiana I'm gonna…
Concrete Concrete and glass are all around They're selling England by…
Das ist schön Das ist die Frage aller Fragen Und du musst mir die…
Deep Purple Woo, Wo-o-oo-wo-wo, Wo-o-oo-wo-wo, Wo-o-oo-wo-wo When the…
Don't Mess With Me Don't mess with me I said yeah don't mess with me Say…
Down Where The Drunkards Roll See the boys out walking The boys, they look so fine Dressed…
Dreams Sometimes I feel like be stuck in a dream And then…
Energy Uno Martha Richard yeye Uno dos tres quarto Fine gyal I sit…
Freaks Something takes a part of me Something lost and never seen E…
Go Away Little Girl Won't you go away (little girl) Wish you wouldn't stay (litt…
Good Vibrations I, I love the colorful clothes she wears And the way…
Groove's Blues Groove I wanted to know About the end of the soul Oh, when…
Hallelujah I Love Her So Who would have ever thought I dare say So casually so…
I Can Take The World On With You Wise men say only fools rush in But I can't help…
I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight I'm so tired of working every day Now the weekend's come I'm…
I'll Remember April This lovely day will lengthen into evening We'll sigh goodby…
I'm In Love I'm in the mood for love Simply because you're near me. Funn…
I'm Not Jealous Cliff Richard - I'm not a hero I-I had a chance…
Im All I'm all alone Alone in this world I'm all alone And I los…
Intro I trust where I'm going Don't wanna be in the dark I…
Introduction And now, ladies and gentlemen, dig The Who Two, three…
It Might as Well Be Spring I'm as restless as a willow in a windstorm I'm as…
It's Going To Take Some Time It's gonna take some time this time To get myself in…
Ja Nus Hons Pris 1. Ja nus hons pris ne dira sa raison Adroitement, se dolant…
Just Friends Just friends, lovers no more Just friends, but not like befo…
Land of thousand lands One, two, three! One, two, three! You gotta know how to pon…
Laura Viens, mon ami le geôlier A toi, je vais tout raconter Demai…
Man I Love I'm your man (I'm your man) I'm your man (I'm your…
Mandy I remember all my life Raining down as cold as ice A…
Money You know, the landlord rang my front door bell I let…
Moon River Moon river, wider than a mile. I'm crossin' you in style…
More Theres so much envy and greed Collecting more haters Means m…
My One and Only Love The very thought of you makes my heart sing Like an…
Never Let Me Down I see you in the water I see you between my…
No Matter What You Do Tell me what your spirit says Show me what you…
No More I've been working hard for the things I want Leaves you…
On Green Dolphin St It seems like a dream, yet I know it happened A…
Over The Rainbow Oooooo... Somewhere over the rainbow, Way up high. There's a…
Pennies From Heaven Every time it rains, it rains pennies from heaven Don't you…
Polka Dots and Moonbeams A country dance was being held in a garden I felt…
Runaway And if our world catches fire Would you die with me,…
Secret Love Oh, yes A kiss in the dark A certain time I can…
Singing About You And Me Tell me about the place you're from Tell me about you Tell…
Song For My Father If there was ever a man Who was generous, gracious and…
Speak Low Speak low when you speak, love, Our summer day withers away…
Strangers in the Night Strangers in the night Exchanging glances Wandering the nigh…
That Is Mahalakshmi How much is that doggie in the windows The one…
The Calvary Cross I was under the Calvary Cross The pale-faced lady she said…
The Feeling Discovered the feeling Of feeling again I went for a walk In…
The Great Valerio High up above the crowd The great Valerio is walking The rop…
The Launch Get ready for the launch Get ready for the launch Get ready …
The More I See You Each time I look at you is like the first…
The Shadow of Your Smile The shadow of your smile When you have gone Will color all…
The Walrus The sun was shining on the sea Shining with all his…
There Is No Greater Love There is no greater love Than what I feel for you No…
These Foolish Things Oh! Will you never let me be? Oh! Will you never…
Trust In Me Oh, my hand shakes steady and my words are sweet And…
Tussen Treine Ek wonder wat van jou geword het Jy wat nog so By…
When I Get To The Border Dirty people take what's mine I can leave them all behind Th…
When you're evil Well look at me, the guy who's got it all Tryin'…
Where or When Oh what happened You fear the things we hide Losing sight wi…
Whispers Next time I promise I will be ready Ready to move when…
With This Ring (There’s nothing that I wouldn’t do to be with you…
Withered And Died This cruel country has driven me down Teased me and lied,…
You've Got it Bad Though folks with good intentions Tell me to save my tears W…
We have lyrics for these tracks by the Young Lions:
I Got Lost When you left thought I'd fall apart you left me for…
You Don't Know You are the person who makes the world sing in…