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.
A Legend in My Time
Ricky Nelson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'd be a legend
I'd be a legend
In my time.
If they gave those statuettes for tears and regrets,
I'd be a legend in my time.
But they don't give a damn
for a heart that's been broken over love, that's in vain.
If loneliness were well and plain,
then everyone would call my name.
I'd be a legend
I'd be a legend
In my time.
If loneliness were well and plain,
then everyone would call my name.
I'd be a legend
I'd be a legend
In my time.
The lyrics to Ricky Nelson's song "A Legend in My Time" speak about the pain and sorrow of unrequited love. The singer laments that if heartache and tears brought fame and recognition, they would be a legend in their own time. However, in reality, there is no recognition for a broken heart or for unfulfilled love. The lyrics continue to express the loneliness and isolation that comes with unrequited love. The singer says that if loneliness was celebrated, they would be a legend, but unfortunately, that is not the case. The song speaks to the universal experience of heartbreak and the desire for recognition and fame, even in the throes of despair.
Line by Line Meaning
If heartaches brought fame, in love's crazy game,
I'd be a legend
If the pain of love and heartbreak brought recognition and success, I would be known as a legend.
I'd be a legend
In my time.
I would be widely recognized and celebrated during my lifetime.
If they gave those statuettes for tears and regrets,
I'd be a legend in my time.
If awards were given for the sadness and remorse caused by failed relationships, I would be a renowned figure during my life.
But they don't give a damn
and there's no praise or fame
for a heart that's been broken over love, that's in vain.
However, no recognition or honor is bestowed upon those whose love lives have resulted in heartbreak and disappointment.
If loneliness were well and plain,
then everyone would call my name.
If the public was aware of the pain of loneliness and isolation, I would be famous and revered.
I'd be a legend
I'd be a legend
In my time.
During my life, I would be celebrated as a widely-known and respected figure.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GIBSON, DON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Milton Moore
Compared to a
beautiful interpretation like
this, with the magnificent musicians backing him up,
his rock hits were mere shadows on the wall! In a song
like this you can hear what a truly
gorgeous voice he
possessed. Pure
Gold! (The arrangement should have had
an orchestral bridge to lengthen
and strengthen the impact of the
song.)
Terrific Léon !
How melancholic this singer is; i just discover him and i love him, his shadowy and soft voice and so much sadness; what a life he had, the success when he was very young but with secret heartaches hidden behind his appearence of good looking and gentle boy, feelings of abandonment; i think he effectively knows loneliness as a Teenage Idol, the song he sings so wistfully. In fact, he was a legend in his time (just behind Elvis Presley) with retained tears and regret. I love his way of singing. Something shy but with a lot of warmth and still hope in his voice...
colkid Glen
One of the smoothest voices. Saw him live in 1967 at the San Diego Fair.
Jim Clapperton
Ricky Nelson ... one of the greats. This is a fantastic version of this wonderful song.
Milton Moore
Compared to a
beautiful interpretation like
this, with the magnificent musicians backing him up,
his rock hits were mere shadows on the wall! In a song
like this you can hear what a truly
gorgeous voice he
possessed. Pure
Gold! (The arrangement should have had
an orchestral bridge to lengthen
and strengthen the impact of the
song.)
Andrew Hagstrom
Ricky Nelson was a legend.
Snap112
I've also been listening to lots of Ricky Nelson at work lately. We are lucky in that we have YouTube. Just been missing the good ole' days of RnR, AND especially Ricky. He may be gone, but not from my heart.
Ginger Woods
He was a legend in his time and now..RIP my friend
Peter P
I've recently been listening to Ricky...with sadness. Not the happiest of lives. Then the plane crash ended his time with us! R. I. P. Ricky Nelson! A retired Catholic priest in Canada.
Daniel Wolfe
Ricky Nelson was so subtle in his delivery when he sang he in my opinion was very underated as a rock and roll singer.Elvis and ricky were two of the best looking teen idols of the fifties with each not only admiring each other,but both very popular with the public.rest in peace both of you-iIt must sound heavenly with these two in Gods choir.
Ruth Boykin
Beautiful song by a beautiful man!