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.
Don't Leave Me
Rick Nelson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you went away, I thought I would die
Oh baby, don't leave me this way
(Oh baby)
You know how much I need your touch
Baby, I love you a little too much
Oh baby, don't leave me this way
I thought you said our love was true
That you love me and I love you
But now you're gone and I am blue
Oh, what am I gonna do
I just can't see why you wanted to go
You knew all along it would hurt me so
Oh baby, don't leave me this way
(Oh baby)
I thought you said our love was true
That you love me and I love you
But now you're gone and I am blue
Oh, what am I gonna do
I just can't see why you wanted to go
You knew all along it would hurt me so
Oh baby, don't leave me this way
(Oh baby)
Oh baby, don't leave me this way
(Oh baby)
The lyrics of Rick Nelson's song "Don't Leave Me" talks about a love that has been lost and the desperation to keep it from ending. The singer reminisces on how happy they were when their love began, but how they thought they would die when their love left. From the singer's perspective, their love was real, and nothing prepared them for the heartbreak they're experiencing. As a result, they're pleading and begging for their love not to leave, and the chorus serves as their plea.
The lyrics continue with the singer expressing how much they need their love's touch and how they love them a little too much. They recount how their love had professed how much they loved each other, and the singer believed and reciprocated until their love left, leaving them feeling blue and helpless. The singer appeals to their love's conscience by questioning why they wanted to leave when they knew it would harm them.
Overall, the song talks about the effects of a broken heart, and how difficult it is to accept and move on from lost love. Rick Nelson's emotional delivery of the lyrics pairs well with the sorrowful theme of the song, making it relatable for anyone who's experienced heartbreak.
Line by Line Meaning
When you came along, oh, happy was I
I was overjoyed when you entered my life
When you went away, I thought I would die
I was devastated when you left me
Oh baby, don't leave me this way (Oh baby)
Please don't leave me like this, my love
You know how much I need your touch
I crave your physical affection
Baby, I love you a little too much
Perhaps I love you more than is healthy
I thought you said our love was true
I believed that our relationship was genuine
That you love me and I love you
We both professed our love for one another
But now you're gone and I am blue
Your absence has caused me great sadness
Oh, what am I gonna do
I'm lost without you, what should I do?
I just can't see why you wanted to go
I don't understand why you chose to leave me
You knew all along it would hurt me so
You were aware that your departure would cause me pain
Oh baby, don't leave me this way (Oh baby)
Please don't break my heart and leave me like this
Oh baby, don't leave me this way (Oh baby)
My love, please don't abandon me
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
jesmelric
Some are from the internet, and some are from my vintage magazines. The magazines that I own contain all the articles.
Anna L. Vajda
I bet that face of his sold lots of magazines. I would have been saving up my babysitting money and allowance for those in the day too.
minabalay47
Thanks a lot jesmelric, for posting, I've been waiting for someone to post this song. One of my favorites Ricky's songs. Tnx again.
jesmelric
@minabalay47 So glad you enjoyed it, it's one of my favorites, too!
Lee B. D.
Fantastic song! And fantastic movie (TV) magazine covers! Thank you for posting these! But, seriously, has anyone answered these burning questions: Does Ricky reeeeeeeeeealy live for thrills?
And I would have to say YES Brigitte Bardot is too much for TV. (Unless she's on You Bet Your Life - Groucho est tres risque!)
Dana Porat
what woman in her right mind would leave rick nelson.
Kristi Hyams
Where did you find these pictures? And do you know if the articles are available?