Richard Edson was born in Manhattan New York. He was already drumming

for the band Konk when he was asked to participate in Sonic Youth.

He did so for the recording of the original "Sonic Youth" EP in 1981 and a few shows they did at that time. Edson departed somewhere in 1982 and was replaced by Jim Sclavunos, who can be heard on Sonic Youth's second album "Confusion is Sex".