Eric Hilliard "Ricky" Nelson (May 8, 1940 – December 31, 1985) was an Ameri… Read Full Bio ↴Eric Hilliard "Ricky" Nelson (May 8, 1940 – December 31, 1985) was an American musician, songwriter and actor. From age eight he starred alongside his family in the radio and television series The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. In 1957, he began a long and successful career as a popular recording artist. The expression "teen idol" was first coined to describe Nelson, and his fame as both a recording artist and television star also led to a motion picture role co-starring alongside John Wayne, Dean Martin and Angie Dickinson in Howard Hawks's western feature film Rio Bravo (1959). He placed 53 songs on the Billboard Hot 100, and its predecessors, between 1957 and 1973, including "Poor Little Fool" in 1958, which was the first number one song on Billboard magazine's then-newly created Hot 100 chart. He recorded 19 additional top ten hits and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on January 21, 1987. In 1996 Nelson was ranked No. 49 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time.
Nelson began his entertainment career in 1949, playing himself in the radio sitcom series, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. In 1952, he appeared in his first feature film, Here Come the Nelsons. In 1957, he recorded his first single ("I'm Walkin' b/w "A Teenager's Romance", Verve 10047X4S), debuted as a singer on the television version of the sitcom, and released the No. 1 album titled Ricky. In 1958, Nelson released his first #1 single, "Poor Little Fool", and in 1959 received a Golden Globe nomination for "Most Promising Male Newcomer" after starring in Rio Bravo. A few films followed, and when the television series was cancelled in 1966, Nelson made occasional appearances as a guest star on various television programs. In his twenties, he moved away from the pop music of his youth, and began to perform in a more country rock style. After recording several albums with mostly session musicians, most of which flopped, he formed the Stone Canyon Band in 1969 and experienced a career resurgence, buoyed by the live album In Concert at the Troubadour, 1969 and had a surprise hit with 1972's "Garden Party", which peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100. His comeback was short-lived, however, as his record label was bought out and folded, and his followup albums were not well promoted by his new label. He continued to perform live and take small television roles through the 1970s, though his label dropped him by the end of the decade. He released two more albums, with unimpressive results, before his death in a plane crash on New Year's Eve, 1985.
Nelson was married once, to Sharon Kristin Harmon, from 1963 until their divorce in 1982. They had four children: actress Tracy Nelson, twin sons and musicians Gunnar and Matthew, and actor Sam.
Nelson was born on May 8, 1940, in Teaneck, New Jersey. He was the second son of entertainment couple Harriet Hilliard Nelson (born Peggy Lou Snyder; July 18, 1909 – October 2, 1994) and Ozzie Nelson (March 20, 1906 – June 3, 1975). His father Ozzie was of half Swedish descent. The Nelsons' older son was actor David Nelson (October 24, 1936 – January 11, 2011).
On May 8, 1961 (his 21st birthday), he officially modified his recording name from "Ricky Nelson" to "Rick Nelson". His childhood nickname proved hard to shake, especially among the generation who had watched him grow up on "Ozzie and Harriet". Even in the 1980s, when Nelson realized his dream of meeting Carl Perkins, Perkins noted that he and "Ricky" were the last of the "rockabilly breed".
In 1963, Nelson signed a 20-year contract with Decca Records. After some early successes with the label, most notably 1964's "For You" (#6), Nelson's chart career came to a dramatic halt in the wake of Beatlemania, The British Invasion, and later the Counterculture era. However, instead of dropping him, Decca kept him on board.
In the mid-1960s, Nelson began to move towards country music, becoming a pioneer in the country-rock genre. He was one of the early influences of the so-called "California Sound" (which would include singers like Jackson Browne and Linda Ronstadt and bands such as Eagles). Yet Nelson himself did not reach the Top 40 again until 1970, when he recorded Bob Dylan's "She Belongs to Me" with the Stone Canyon Band, featuring Randy Meisner, who in 1971 became a founding member of the Eagles, and former Buckaroo steel guitarist Tom Brumley.
Nelson died in a plane crash on New Year's Eve 1985, flying from Guntersville, Alabama, to Dallas, Texas, for a concert. The plane he was on, a Douglas DC-3, had a history of mechanical problems. All seven passengers, including Blair, died. Only the two pilots survived.
Nelson's funeral took place at the Church of the Hills, Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills Cemetery, on January 6, 1986, and he was privately buried in the Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills Cemetery, in Los Angeles. His estate was bequeathed to his children.
Nelson began his entertainment career in 1949, playing himself in the radio sitcom series, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. In 1952, he appeared in his first feature film, Here Come the Nelsons. In 1957, he recorded his first single ("I'm Walkin' b/w "A Teenager's Romance", Verve 10047X4S), debuted as a singer on the television version of the sitcom, and released the No. 1 album titled Ricky. In 1958, Nelson released his first #1 single, "Poor Little Fool", and in 1959 received a Golden Globe nomination for "Most Promising Male Newcomer" after starring in Rio Bravo. A few films followed, and when the television series was cancelled in 1966, Nelson made occasional appearances as a guest star on various television programs. In his twenties, he moved away from the pop music of his youth, and began to perform in a more country rock style. After recording several albums with mostly session musicians, most of which flopped, he formed the Stone Canyon Band in 1969 and experienced a career resurgence, buoyed by the live album In Concert at the Troubadour, 1969 and had a surprise hit with 1972's "Garden Party", which peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100. His comeback was short-lived, however, as his record label was bought out and folded, and his followup albums were not well promoted by his new label. He continued to perform live and take small television roles through the 1970s, though his label dropped him by the end of the decade. He released two more albums, with unimpressive results, before his death in a plane crash on New Year's Eve, 1985.
Nelson was married once, to Sharon Kristin Harmon, from 1963 until their divorce in 1982. They had four children: actress Tracy Nelson, twin sons and musicians Gunnar and Matthew, and actor Sam.
Nelson was born on May 8, 1940, in Teaneck, New Jersey. He was the second son of entertainment couple Harriet Hilliard Nelson (born Peggy Lou Snyder; July 18, 1909 – October 2, 1994) and Ozzie Nelson (March 20, 1906 – June 3, 1975). His father Ozzie was of half Swedish descent. The Nelsons' older son was actor David Nelson (October 24, 1936 – January 11, 2011).
On May 8, 1961 (his 21st birthday), he officially modified his recording name from "Ricky Nelson" to "Rick Nelson". His childhood nickname proved hard to shake, especially among the generation who had watched him grow up on "Ozzie and Harriet". Even in the 1980s, when Nelson realized his dream of meeting Carl Perkins, Perkins noted that he and "Ricky" were the last of the "rockabilly breed".
In 1963, Nelson signed a 20-year contract with Decca Records. After some early successes with the label, most notably 1964's "For You" (#6), Nelson's chart career came to a dramatic halt in the wake of Beatlemania, The British Invasion, and later the Counterculture era. However, instead of dropping him, Decca kept him on board.
In the mid-1960s, Nelson began to move towards country music, becoming a pioneer in the country-rock genre. He was one of the early influences of the so-called "California Sound" (which would include singers like Jackson Browne and Linda Ronstadt and bands such as Eagles). Yet Nelson himself did not reach the Top 40 again until 1970, when he recorded Bob Dylan's "She Belongs to Me" with the Stone Canyon Band, featuring Randy Meisner, who in 1971 became a founding member of the Eagles, and former Buckaroo steel guitarist Tom Brumley.
Nelson died in a plane crash on New Year's Eve 1985, flying from Guntersville, Alabama, to Dallas, Texas, for a concert. The plane he was on, a Douglas DC-3, had a history of mechanical problems. All seven passengers, including Blair, died. Only the two pilots survived.
Nelson's funeral took place at the Church of the Hills, Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills Cemetery, on January 6, 1986, and he was privately buried in the Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills Cemetery, in Los Angeles. His estate was bequeathed to his children.
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Legacy
Rick Nelson Lyrics
A Teenager's Romance A teenager's romance is fickled or true A teenager's romance…
A Wonder Like You I've seen the snow-white mountains of Alaska I've sailed alo…
Ain't Nothin' But Love It ain't nothin' but love, it ain't nothin' but love Can…
Almost Saturday Night Outside my window I can hear the radio And I know…
Alone I've waited for the sunrise but it never came I can…
Are You Really Real Are you really real' Do you feel the same thing That I…
Back To Schooldays Don't seem to be no break in the line Don't seem…
Brand New Girl Told me you loved me baby said you would be…
Call It What You Want Play it hard, make it soft, make it sound kinda…
Doll Hospital Well, lots of little pieces make up the little girl Such…
Dream Lover Every night I hope and pray A dream lover will come…
Easy To Be Free Did you ever want to go Where you've never been before? Did…
Everlovin' (Everlovin' hoo everlovin' Everlovin' hoo everlovin') Ever…
Fools Rush In Fools rush in where angels fear to tread And so…
For You I will gather stars out of the blue For you, yes…
Garden Party Ooh-ooh-ooh I went to a garden party To reminisce with my o…
Give 'Em My Number I met you at a party, I gave you my…
GLOOMY SUNDAY Sunday is gloomy, my hours are slumberless Dearest the shado…
Glory Train I want to ride that glory train I want to ride,…
Gypsy Pilot When I was a young boy My mama told me son You…
Gypsy Woman Hey gypsy woman (hey hey hey gypsy woman) Look in…
Hello Mary Lou Hello Mary Lou Goodbye heart Sweet Mary Lou I'm so in love w…
Hey Pretty Baby Hey pretty baby, I need your love Underneath the stars and…
I Got A Feeling Well I've got a feeling That I'm gonna get you Say I've…
I Got A Woman I got a woman way over town she's good to…
I Wanna Be Loved I wanna be loved with inspiration I wanna be loved starting…
I'm a Fool You know where I can be found, don't you know I'll…
I'm Not Afraid Love they say is serious It's not a child's game It can…
I'm Talking About You Let me tell you 'bout a girl I know I met…
I'm Walkin' I'm walkin', yes indeed, and I'm talkin' 'bout you and…
If You Can't Rock Me Well if you can't rock me, I'll find me somebody…
It's Late It's late (it's late) We gotta get on home It's…
It's Up To You It's up to you Because I've done everything I can I hope…
Jingle Bells Dashing through the snow On a one-horse open sleigh, Over th…
Just a Little Too Much Sometimes I think I love you, aw, just a little…
Lonesome Town There's a place where lovers go To cry their troubles away …
Louisiana Man At first mom and papa called their little boy Ned They…
Mighty Good Now when I see you walking by with a wiggle…
My Babe Well, my babe, don't stand no kissin', my babe Oh yeah,…
My Bucket's Got A Hole In It Yes, my bucket's got a hole in it Yes, my…
Mystery Train Train I ride sixteen coaches long train I ride sixteen…
Never Be Anyone Else But You There'll never be anyone else but you for me Never ever…
Night Train To Memphis Take that night train to Memphis take that night train…
One Night Stand Heard the call and I packed it all And I'm on…
One of These Mornings Well one of these morning's I'm gonna rise an' shine And…
One X One I will follow you Follow you wherever you may go There isn't…
Palace Guard With handmade silver sparkles Like a well-dressed sequined w…
Poor Little Fool I used to play around with hearts that hastened at…
Promenade in Green Tracy, come out and play Red light, green light and I'll…
Rave On Little things you say and do Make me wanna be with…
She Belongs To Me She's got everything she needs She's an artist, she don't lo…
Shirley Lee Well I got a gal her name is Shirley Lee Yeah…
Stay Young Aw, don't lose you that light in your eyes Never to…
Stood Up Well, I've been waitin' ever since eight Guess my baby's…
String Along String along that's all I am just your string along Someone…
Sweet Little Lovable You Finjo ser invisível Pra não ter que te encarar Afogo na pisc…
Sweeter Than You I could never be loved by anyone sweeter than you And…
Teenage Idol Some people call me a teenage idol Some people say they…
The Loser Babe Is You I know you think I'm crazy, cryin' out lazy Winning days…
The Very Thought Of You The very thought of you, and I forget to do…
There Goes My Baby There goes my baby going for a ride, yeah there…
There's Nothing I Can Say There's nothing I can say There's nothing I can do To make…
Today's Teardrops Today's teardrops are tomorrow's rainbows and Tomorrow's ra…
Travelin' Man I'm a travelin' man and I've made a lot of…
TRUE LOVE WAYS I give to you and you give to me true…
Waitin' in School I been a-waitin' in school all day long A-waitin' on the…
Wings Seen it written and I've heard it told That a man…
Yes Sir That's My Baby That's my baby No sir, I don't mean maybe Yes sir, that's…
You Are My Sunshine you are my sunshine my only sunshine you make me happy wh…
You Are The Only One [Chorus:] You are the only one My one and only one Together …
You Just Can't Quit When the whole world puts you down and makes you…
You Know What I Mean I've got a girl, she's a regular date When she's good…
You're My One and Only Love You're my one and only love I've loved you from the…
Young Emotions Young emotions are mixed emotions For it's a world where lov…
Young World It's a young world When you're in love, you're in a…