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Ricky Nelson

Ricky Nelson

1940-1985

Eric Hilliard “Ricky” Nelson was born in Teaneck, New Jersey on May 8, 1940. He was born the younger son of Ozzie Nelson, the leader of a famous band, and Harriet Nelson, the band’s singer. The family, along with Ricky’s younger brother David Nelson, starred in a radio and television series, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. In 1957 Ricky’s rock and roll career began. He recorded his first single, “I’m Walkin,” because he was trying to impress a girl who was an Elvis fan. Eventually, the family television showed ended with a musical performance from Ricky.

Between 1957 and 1962 Ricky had 30 top 40 hits which were more than anyone else at the time, except for Elvis. He had major success with “Travelin’ Man”, “Poor Little Fool”, “Young World”, “Lonesome Town”, and “Teenage Idol.” He hit the top 40 for the last time in 1972 with “Garden Party.” This song was written after his audience booed him off stage in Madison Square Garden because he was playing his new songs instead of his old ones from the 1950s and 1960s.

In 1963 Ricky married Kristin Harmon and they later had four children together. They stayed together until the late 1970s when his wife divorced him and took their four children. This was devastating for Ricky and along with his personal life; his career was also falling apart. He wasn’t making records and when he played live it was in very small venues. So, in 1985 Ricky joined a nostalgia rock tour of England. It was a major success and people were interested in him. Then he decided to go on tour in the United States in the south.

On New Year’s Eve in 1985 Ricky was on his way to a concert in Dallas, Texas when his plane crash and he died. The cause of the crash was never officially determined but it was believed to be caused by a defective cabin heater.