Early Life
Richard Alan Drasin was born and raised in Bakersfield, California, a city of agriculture and oil production. His father and mother, Oscar (1911–1963) and Claire (1914–2010), owned and operated Drasin's Little Folks Shop, a children's furniture and clothing store. Drasin has one sibling, an older sister, Stephanie (born 1936), nicknamed Stef. The family attended religious services at Temple Beth El.
Drasin's formal education began at Franklin Elementary School. While at Emerson Junior High School, as a joke he and two friends tried out for the cheerleading squad. They were selected. He graduated from Bakersfield High School in 1962 at age 18, then attended Bakersfield College for two years (1963–1964), focusing on art.
Drasin's early enthusiasm for professional wrestling had been sparked by the televised matches that he and his family enjoyed watching together. While watching a show when he was 10 years old, he once grabbed his mother and applied a hammerlock. Not realizing he was applying so much pressure, he dislocated her shoulder, putting her in the hospital.
When Drasin was 17, he was picked up for a curfew violation at Shakey's Pizza Parlor and taken to the Kern County Sheriff's Station. His classroom habit of doodling and sketching carried over to the Sheriff's Station, where it caught the eye of the Sheriff Howard Wines. Two days later, Sheriff Wines hired young Drasin to be the cartoonist, “Jungle Rick,” on the sheriff's TV show for kids, “Deputy Howie.” Drasin held that position for about a year, earning ten dollars a week.
Drasin's interests in bodybuilding, powerlifting, weightlifting, and guitar playing began in junior high school. When Drasin was in high school, he formed a band known as The Epics. Drasin's band became so popular that they were featured at YMCA Day at the Hollywood Bowl in 1960.
About three months later, The Epics competed in a Battle of the Bands contest at the Hollywood Palladium, placing second out of about 200 bands. One of the prizes was a one-year recording contract with Capitol Records. Capitol Records changed the name of The Epics to The Hollywood Vines.
The Hollywood Vines recorded two cruising songs, "Cruisin’" and "When Johnny Comes Slidin’ Home." The 45 rpm record (Capitol Records reference number 4511) was released in 1961. Although the record was a success, the band drifted apart as the members grew into adulthood. Nevertheless, “Cruisin’” has been heard as recently as August 13, 2006, on Ungawa radio in Antwerpen, Belgium. It was also part of the October 21, 2000, playlist on WFMU, an independent freeform radio station in the New York City area. "Cruisin’" may be heard even now, in mp3 format on disk jockey Jim Marshall's “The Hound” Website.
Drasin enlisted in the Army Reserves for eight years and was inducted on his 18th birthday. On active duty for approximately six months after enlistment and for two weeks each year thereafter, Drasin served as a clerk/typist and driver, achieving the rank of Sergeant. He was stationed at Fort Ord, California, and Fort Lewis, Washington.
When Drasin was 18, his father died during surgery for a heart condition. Drasin and his father had very much enjoyed going to professional wrestling shows together and, unknown to his father, Drasin had decided he would someday become a professional wrestler.
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