Richard Twice
Band members Related acts
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line up 1 (1968-70) - Richard Atkins -- vocals, guitar - Richard "Rick" Manning -- vocals
supporting musicians (1969) - Colin Cameron -- bass - Don Gallucci -- keyboards - Alex Hassilev -- percussion - Larry Knechtel -- Keyboards - Gary Coleman -- percussion - Malcolm Eisensohn -- drums, percussion - Drake Levin -- pedal steel guitar - Louie Shelton -- guitar - Mark Tulin (RIP) -- bass - Ron Tutt -- drums, percussion - Rusty Young -- pedal steel guitar
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- none known
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Genre: pop Rating: *** 3 stars Title: Richard Twice Company: Philips Catalog: PHS
600-332 Country/State: Los Angeles, California Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: -- Available: 1 Catalog ID: -- Price: $120.00
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So let me start by transcribing the anonymous album liner notes. While they don't provide much tangible information, they give you a feel for the album's overall vibe.
"When two musical artists form a group a delicate balance must be achieved. Each brings to the music his own unique background and heritage and still subjects himself to the oneness of the group. On the surface, it would be more difficult to fine two more opposite personalities than the young men who make up the duo called Richard Twice -- Richard Atkins and Richard Manning. It would appear that all they have in common is their age - both are in their early twenties and their first names. There is something else however, and it is that something that makes Richard Twice work, It is an almost unspoken agreement and rapport about what they are trying to say and achieve with the music. Richard Atkins creates much of the group's material. They are for the most part gentle songs and yet they can also have power. Not epic poems, to be sure, but lyrics with the power of simplicity. Possibly Richard's greatest talent is his sensitivity. He is amazingly aware of the human currents and vibrations that surround him. His insight allows him to assess what he sees, and feels and project it to melodic poems. As for Richard Manning - he is poles apart for his musical partner. His long locks are constantly falling over his eyes as a result of his hearty laughter. He seems to see the humor ion everything. Laughter is as infectious in music. as it is in life and Rick's unusual; viewpoint and wit have a way of invading and influencing the singing and guitar work of the pair, creating the perfect listening balance. More melodic that the early Beatles, not as obscure as Simon and Garfunkel, they have been described as "a normal pair of singers." It was not a put down. They are normal in the sense that they are bit square because they feel and are aware. On the other hand they don't reject the culture ... they are not angry ... they see society's faults and try to understand them ... and who knows .... perhaps to gently change them. Richard Twice has formed a unique partnership. Two young performers, as different as the sung from the moon in their daily lives, and yet who can sing songs that go directly to the heart of the matter, with a seemingly single mind and voice."
Okay, it took me a while to get it - Richard Atkins and Richard Manning equals Richard Twice ...
1969's "Richard Twice" is one of those rare album's that shows up on all kinds rock and roll references; generally getting strong reviews, but none of those references seem to know much about the duo. I'm certainly no band scholar, but from what I've research, this has to be one of the more bizarre rock stories you are going to come across (and gawd knows there are plenty of them).
Living and working in Southern, California in 1966 sixteen year old Richard Atkins was involved in a motorcycle accident that cost him a leg. Previously uninterested in music, as part of his recuperation Atkins taught himself to play guitar and began writing music. There are lots of gaps in the story, including how the two Richards became partners, but by 1968 the 18 year old Atkins and Manning were under contract with Mercury Records. The Alex Hassillev and James Lowe produced "Richard Twice" found the pair teamed with backing from the fame Wrecking Crew. At least to my ears, the album served as an impressive showcase for the pair. Atkins was responsible for penning the majority of the album; Manning credited with co-writing the ballad '1:25 A.M '. The pair seem to have shared vocals and guitar. Judging by material like the rocking opener 'Generation '70' and the harmony filled 'If I Knew You Were the One', to my ears these guys were every bit as accomplished as better known duos like Simon and Garfunkel, Peter and Gordon, or Chad and Jeremy. As prime writer Atkins had a gift for catchy melodies ('What Makes Me Love You Like I Do?' and the country-rock tinged 'More Or Less Nothing'). While the lyrics were occasionally deeply personal and somewhat mysterious ('God Give Me Strength'), when the pair blended their voices, the results were impressive. Add in strong support from the Wrecking Crew and sympathetic production and it was an impressive debut for such a young pair who have never really performed live. Yeah, there may have been one or two too many sensitive ballads ('Your Love Like Heaven Be'), but about all I can add is their failure to make it commercially is understandable (see below), but deeply saddening. By the way, Atkins is the guy on the left side of the cover photo; Manning is the guy with the long hair and sideburns.
"Richard
Twice" track listing: 1.) Generation ’70 (Richard Atkins) - 3:25 rating: **** stars The rocking opener 'Generation ’70' reflected vocals were every bit as smooth as Simon and Garfunkel, but they reflected an easy-going sense of coolness Simon could seldom nail. Great melody; timepiece lyrics and awesome fuzz guitar. What wasn't there to love? The song also appeared as the "B" side on their 'My Love Bathes In Silence' 45. 2.) My Love Bathes In Silence (Richard Atkins) - 3:03 rating: ***** stars The bass and xylophone opening have always reminded me of a Steely Dan arrangement. And then the tune shifted into a breezy pop direction marked by a mix of Beach Boys-meet-Simon and Garfunkel vocal harmonies. With a distinctive "English" flavor, Atkins and Manning's blended voices were almost magical. If I had one criticism it would be the song faded out far too soon. The tune was tapped as the album's lone single:
- 1970's 'My Love Bathes In Silence' b/w 'Generation '70' (Philips catalog number 40677)
3.) 1:25 A.M. (Richard Atkins - Richard Manning) - 2:59 rating: *** stars '1:25 A.M.' offered up a pretty, high orchestrated, if slightly MOR-ish ballad. Once again it was interesting to hear the "English" tinge to their voice. 4.) Your Love Like Heaven Be (Richard Atkins) - 2:10 rating: *** stars The first disappointment, the ballad 'Your Love Like Heaven Be' reminded me of something Peter and Gordon, or Chad and Jeremy might have written and recorded. Mind you, a good track by one of those duos, but still ... 5.) God Give Me Strength (Richard Atkins) - 3:49 rating: *** stars Sounding like an Atkin's solo effort, the opening acoustic guitar was pretty, opening up into the album's darkest folk tune. Clearly inspired by his personal life, it's a track that should appeal to folks who like Donovan.
(side
2) Powered by some bright horns, 'What Makes Me Love You Like I Do?' was one of the album's most commercial and MOR-ish performances. Unfortunately it was pop music for the Merv Griffin crowd. 2.) If I Knew You Were the One (Richard Atkins) - 4:43 rating: **** stars One of my album favorites, the ballad 'If I Knew You Were the One' managed to combine teenage longing with a great melody, lovely harmonies, lush orchestration and a wide array of studio effects Atkins posted some material on a YouTube clip for this track and described it as being inspired by a neighborhood girl: "I wrote this song back in 69, I was 18. Cherylanne lived 2 doors down." 3.) The Finest Poet (Richard Atkins) - 2:56 rating: *** stars The song title was concerning in that it was a bit on the ethereal side. Guess that made sense given the ballad followed the same path. Another track that wouldn't have sounded out of place on a '60s album by Peter and Gordon, or Chad and Jeremy. 4.) More Or Less Nothing (Richard Atkins) - 3:08 rating: **** stars Complete with pedal string guitar and horns, 'More Or Less Nothing' boasted a modest country-rock feel. Reminded me a touch of something Michael Nesmith might have penned for The Monkees and even though I'm not a big fan of the genre, it wasn't bad. Probably would have made a good single. This was another YouTube clip where Atkins chimed in with some comments: "Wrote this when I was seventeen. I am 69 now. Hearing this song reminds me of how wonderful being young was." 5.) If I Were Strong I’d Move You Mountains (Richard Atkins) - 3:15 rating: *** stars A nice folk-ish number, 'If I Were Strong I’d Move You Mountains' boasted a sweet melody with nice harmonies and some great Mark Tulin bass. Interesting reflective lyrics for such young guys. 6.) She Catches Me Running (Richard Atkins) - 4:21 rating: **** stars It started out sounding like another sensitive singer-songwriter ballad, but when the full band kicked in, the track gather some real energy. Nice way to end the album.
And this is where the wheels come off. In combination with the release of the album Mercury, the label arranged a showcase performance for the duo. It proved a disaster with the sound system failing and Atkins suffering a devastating case of stage fright. His memories of the show are still vague. That was it . Mercury released the album, but pulled all support. Atkins quit music, turning his attention to wood working and raising a family over the next 40 years.
In his late 60s Atkins decided to start playing again. Living in Seattle, he began playing at local clubs. One of the people who caught a performance was the father of Brooklyn-based filmmaker Matthew Salton. Salton's father mentioned the show to Matthew, subsequently introducing the two with Matthew intrigued and decided to make a film about Atkins The result was the short documentary "Richard Twice: A Musical Life Interrupted". You can see the short animated film on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUQVuDEtgZc There's also a television interview with Salton and film editor Ander Berner discussion the film at: Mountain Morning Show - Richard Twice - YouTube Finally, you can find a series of Atkins live performances where he does "new" material. Stage fright or not, one of the best is the retrospective love song dedicated to his wife - 'Life Is a Rollercoaster': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-G_1ED_47NM
© Scott R. Blackerby May, 2025
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