Updated February 2011
The Young Men were from Phoenix, Arizona. Members included:
Frank Lacey – lead vocals
Richard Adams – lead guitar
Pete Axtell – rhythm guitar
John Herwehe – bass
Dave Killingsworth – bass
Tony Boynton – drums
They were originally called the Metronomes and most were students at West Phoenix High School, playing the prom there in 1966. The Metronomes were Frank Lacey, guitar and vocals; Larry Edmonds, guitar; George Matthews, drums; and John Hesterman on bass, piano and vocals. A friend of the band remembered Frank Lacey being one of the first students at their high school to be sent home for having long hair.
The Young Men’s first 45, released on United World #6947 in January ’67 has a minor pop song “Too Many Times” on the A-side, written by ‘Howie’ and produced by Forest Higginbotham. It charted on KRUX 1360 AM, reaching #16 on March 16.
Much cooler is the catchy, upbeat “Go!”. The song writing credits list Axtell and Lacey, but as Mop Top Mike pointed out to me, it’s really a very close version of the Dave Clark Five’s “I’m Thinking”, the b-side of a ’65 single “Reelin’ and Rockin'”. The Dave Clark Five original has a great shout of “Oh!” before the first verse. The Young Men change this to a reverb-laden “Go!” and dub it in before each verse. They also speed up the tempo, drop the organ part and substitute an excellent dry guitar solo for the bridge in the DC5 version.
The label lists the time for “Go!” as 2:33, but when played the song clocks at 1:33. I’ve seen a second version of the label that lists the time correctly.
The Young Men had a second 45 United World #0001 in April of ’67, a very competent rendition of the Hollies’ “Baby That’s All” backed with “Love’s Time”, a good original by Axtell, Lacey and Froste.
As Dan Nowicki points out in his comment below, Frank Lacey and Dave Killingsworth later were in Thackeray Rocke, and that both records were recorded at Audio Recorders of Arizona.
Thanks also to Mop Top Mike for the dates of the 45s, to Richard Adams & John Hesterman for the photo at top and info on the Metronomes, to John L. for info on the group, and to Brian Kirschenbaum for the scans of “Baby That’s All” and “Love’s Time”.
The Young Men were a well-known group on the Phoenix teen club/high school circuit and their records (cut at Audio Recorders of Arizona in Phoenix) charted locally. Members Frank Lacey and Dave Killingsworth later were in Thackeray Rocke of “Bawling” fame. Killingsworth also showed up in a late-1980s line-up of The Tubes. — Dan Nowicki, Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.A.
At that time Frank Lacey was the finest singer this town had to offer. My older brother got into a really bad car wreck and I went to good Sam Hospital to see him and Frank Lacey was in there around ’68. He had leukemia and he passed away within a few days of that. I was so glad that we had that little bit of time to talk. I saw Thackery Rocke at the Celebrity Star Theater when they opened up for the Grateful Dead, which was a horrible pairing. 10 Years After played (1st tour) and of course blew the Grateful Dead off the stage. Frank’s band was fantastic.
I went to West High 66-70
Suzanne Andrews
I think I went to grade school with you at St Gregory. I remember the band well. I might even have one of their 45’s still, the one with Baby That’s All.
Cathy Doles Babcock
Went to high school with Frank: West Phoenix High. I was Jr. Class VP in charge of the Prom in 1966 and had Frank play at the Prom. They were called the Metronomes then. I lost my copy of Go long ago. Anyone know where I could get a copy of it? I’d love to hear it again.
You can hear “GO” on YOUTUBE. Just listened to it. My sister was married to the drummer…. Tony Boynton
Wow – What a blast from the past. I attended Central & North High 1966-1969 –
and spent most weekends at the VIP Club (7th street and Indian School)-
The “Young Men” starring Frank Lacey (for some reason I remember wore white pants)- and especially singing “Too Many Times” – If anyone knows where I can get a copy – I’d be eternally grateful
I also remember of course Vince (Attended Cortez High)and his band “The Spyders”
which we all know now as “Alice Cooper”
Another great oldie band who played there was P-Nut butter(I found a copy of the
song they recorded “What am I doing here with you”? on e-bay
That was Phil Motta’s band. A little searching will yield all sorts of links to Motta’s companies.
https://www.associatedventures.us.com/phil-motta
Kim Shaheen on Facebook can fill you in about Frank Lacy, and many other 1960’s Valley Bands.
Please don’t forget John Herwehe … such a sweetheart… and the SuperBus – such great memories.
Hey Tony…. “The Higher You Fly the Much !”
Love you all forever………………
Sue
Hung at the CYO dances with The Young, also Stage 7 on 7th Street and Indian School.
I attended West High..class of 1970.
Wow! I stumbled across this website. I graduated from West High in 1968. I did not personally know any of the Young Men, but I do remember Frank Lacey. I even have a copy of the 45, “Too Many Times” stored somewhere in a closet. I bought it at the record shop (can’t remember its name) at Chris Town. I haven’t had contact with anybody from West since my ASU days in the early 70’s, but then again, I was no social butterfly in high school.
Tony: For sure you and the guys are not forgotten. When I got my copy of “Go” my 3 little nephews and niece and I used to play it and pretend we were you guys. Only they named our group Terry and the Tarantulas. We played that song until the needle wore through. I still listen to it on YouTube and smile thinking about West High and Phoenix in the 60’s. Great times and greater people! And John Y. The name of the record store at Christown Mall was Bill’s Records. That’s where I got my copy, too.
I remember The Young Men fondly, still play guitar for myself, have the Too Many Times and Go! 45, along with a 4-song EP with You Are My Sunshine with Frank in great voice. Live in Utah but travel by Metro-Tech HS occasionally. Miss travel to Prescott in Herewe’s camper, VIP club dates, opening for Gary Lewis, Sunrays, etc. Forest deserves a medal for all his work, never realized all he did for us until years later. Hello to all. Any requests and I’ll post the mp3s somewhere. Richard.
Richard, would love to have the mp3 of “Too Many Times” and “Go”. had the 45 but plenty scratched up now.
Email me: mollerartiste@gmail.com
Hi Richard, This is Cheryl Watson. Hope everything is ok with you and your family. I lived next to Jimmy Roe. 1 year old than you guys. Just wanted to say hi and glad you are till here.
Can you please post 4-song EP. Last time I saw Young Men was at Legend City in 1967.
Richard Adams as I live and breath, how the heck are you? e-mail me so we can talk…….Tony
John was the best, I always let him beat me while golfing. It is nice to know the the guys and I are not forgotten. Thanks to all.
Hi Richard:
Just stumbled on this website and saw your comment so thought I’d say high. Last time I heard, you were in Orem. Still there??? Still married to Patty (that is her name, isn’t it?). I live in American Fork. Does your brother still sing with MoTab?
The original Metronomes (1965) were Frank Lacey (guitar), George Matthews (drums), Larry Edmonds (vocals) and John Hesterman (bass/piano). To the best of my knowledge, this was the first band for all of us. It was pretty basic but had potential (especially Frank) and a lot of fun. Later, Larry was with The Just Cause, and I hooked up with The Britons followed by The Grapes of Wrath. If anyone knows what happened to George, I’d appreciate an update.
Tony Richard John. Just found this link. Hello you guys. Miss the days. Joyce lives her in Oregon too
Hi Barbara, I’ve often wondered what happened to you. Nice to know you’re alive and well in Oregon. Cheers 🙂
Hi John
Yes both Joyce and I live in Portland Oregon…We love it here. I just retired and am enjoying life. Joyce lives with her husband on a vineyard 20 miles from me. Hope you are well
Hi Barbara 🙂
I’m also retired in the small mountain community of Payson, AZ. Still an active musician on stage and in the recording studio. It’s rather like Mayberry here, my kinda place! If you’re ever curious, look me up on the net at johnhesterman.com. Vaya Con Dios 🙂
thanks for the tunes… brings back a lot of memories again thanks
My pleasure 🙂
Barb e-mail me, god I would love to hear from you. Send your e-mail and I will send you my phone number.
Hi Tony. Email is bbaker5555@aol.com. Phone is 503 329 3355. Hope you are well
Tony don’t know if this is going through
my email is bbaker5555@aol.com
The VIP Club was my 2nd home as a teenager. Used to hang out with Vince Fournier in his Spiderman suit. I remember when he said that the band was going to L.A. to try to break in. The next thing I knew the band was called Alice Cooper…and then Vince took the name himself.
I use to go to the VIP club with my brother Tom Utter.
Suzanne Utter Andrews
Sue..Suzy
I went to Orme school in Mayer for the 1966-67 school year and The Young Men played there twice. The first was the dance just before Christmas and the second was the end of school dance. I have a copy of the Too Many Times/GO 45 that I must have picked up on a school trip to Phoenix.
Since some of you have asked and Richard hasn’t gotten around to it, you can hear the four United World tracks by The Young Men at:
http://www.johnhesterman.com/Phoenix/Too%20Many%20Times.mp3
http://www.johnhesterman.com/Phoenix/Go!.mp3
http://www.johnhesterman.com/Phoenix/Baby%20That%27s%20All.mp3
http://www.johnhesterman.com/Phoenix/Love%27s%20Time.mp3
Enjoy 🙂
Is this Johnny Junk, now in Payson where I once drowned whilst hiking with you & Ron Brewer. I had nary a single drum with me, knowing full well the effects of Ludwig vs freezing watery stuff. If you are still here/there, lemy no.
Yes, that’s me 🙂 Where are you Mark? Haven’t heard from you in ages! Mail me at zacharyj@juno.com please.
You can also use this address: john@johnhesterman.com
OOOOPS…Barb e-mail me and will up date you on all kinds of things.
Sorry, forgot to return here 5 years ago, so I’ll post my 2 personal favorites: You are my Sunshine and Go! Frank was the only really talented one. Thanks for covering for me John. If I’m still too slow, email me and I’ll send them directly mollerartiste@gmail.com
Link to 4 songs ZIP
https://www.dropbox.com/s/51ebw1dak123lnu/TheYoungMenEPSongs.zip?dl=0
Includes a pic from West High facebook page
My pleasure Richard. Best wishes to you and your family. Cheers!
Wasn’t Ken Peters a drummer for The Young Men at some point in time ?
What a small world and small town (Phoenix was tiny in those days). VERY few venues to perform, so we often found ourselves doing high school dances or church events to try to iron out some songs and make a couple of bucks. We thought we had died and gone to heaven when we were booked to play with jazz legend Duke Ellington when he visited Phoenix in the mid- to late 1960’s.
We also had to continuously expand out play lists to stay competitive in the local market. Mr. Lucky’s had a two-story venue with western music on one level and rock on the other. Every rock band in Phoenix seemed to be auditioning for a gig there.
There was also a two-story venue at the river bottom in Tempe. As the Just Cause, we often played at 7th Street and Indian School, often with Vince’s band if the time.
John Hesterman and Joe Abrams (of the Just Cause) put together a new band called Wheatstone, but had difficulty getting it off the ground. My final stint of those years was with the Autumn People when Tom Faddis left the band for a bit and I replaced him. The band was made up of Larry Clarke (guitar), Steve Perry (guitar…not the guy from Journey), Cliff Spiegel (bass), Jon Gerlach (sp? (drums), and me (vocals ). The Vietnam War got to me and I ended up spending four years in San Diego at the Naval Station (I’m almost totally colorblind (or I have color vision deficiency, as it is called in today’s world), so I couldn’t do electronics, aviation, or nuclear power since they all use color-coded materials which I could not distinguish.
As far as the members of the Just Cause go, Darien Zalefsky (guitar) went on to place with the Blues Project in San Francisco, I believe, and passed away a couple of year ago or so. He was double-jointed and could stretch his fingers all over the fret board! Milt Miller was our regular drummer, but moved on the The Bob Meighan band some years after the Just Cause break-up. Sadly, I heard that Milt passed about 12+ year ago from a heart attack. Joe Abrams (guitar) was a permanent member of the Just Cause and, as noted above, with Wheatstone as we tried to organize that effort.
I do miss those “good ole days” and fondly recall meeting some great personalities in my musical travels.
Wishing you all peace and love (yes, I still believe in those concepts!).
Hi Larry! Thank you for the history. A minor correction, I wasn’t part of the band Wheatstone 🙂 Best wishes to you my friend 🙂
I’ve had a 7″ acetate of this group for maybe 20 years, found in a thrift store in San Diego. I finally got around to looking it up again to see if I could determine the origin of the music, past searches had not been fruitful due to the scarce info on the acetate (“Young Men” is not the most distinctive band name ever). I’ve now created a release page for it on Discogs. It features “Go” (possibly a different recording or mix to the released version), and an otherwise-unavailable (as far as I can tell) cover of “It Ain’t Me Babe.” I plan to create YouTube vids of both sides
here’s links to the YouTube vids I made from this acetate:
https://youtu.be/aQHq8EQ7mZw (Go)
https://youtu.be/KOJpmN3khPU (It Ain’t Me Babe)
Hi Dan,
Thanks for letting us hear the acetate. Possibly this is an earlier take from the released version, but it is very similar. The acetate version is missing the overdubbed & reverbed shouts of “Go!” There also seem to be some subtle differences in the guitar break, but that could be from the differences in audio quality. The released single is crisper in sound. Both the acetate and the released version clock in at about 1:33 (the first pressing label reads 2:33 but that is incorrect, the record plays 1:33). I don’t believe I’ve ever heard their version of “It Ain’t Me Babe”, so that was cool to hear too.