Ricky Nelson was one of most popular American singers. Ricky was also a musician and actor as well. Over 50 of his songs were among the “Hot 100 Hits” in the 1950’s. Ricky was the second most famous (Elvis Presley being the first) rock and roll singer.
Born Eric Hilliard Nelson on May 8, 1940 in New Jersey, Ricky was the younger son of Ozzie Nelson who was the leader of a big band. Ricky’s family including his older brother, David Nelson, started a radio and TV series “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet” between the periods from 1944 through 1966.Ricky Nelson was the first teen idol to promote his records via TV media. He began his music career in 1957, and released of his debut single song “I’m Walkin”. His song became the No.4 hit on the charts after he had performed it on the television. In 1961 on his 21st birthday, Ricky had officially changed his name to Rick. During the mid-1960s, Rick Nelson started to change his “Rock & Roll” music style to “Country” style making him the first to pioneering in the “Country-Rock” genre.
In April of 1963, Rick Nelson made a headline for “The Wedding of the Year” by marrying Kristin Harmon – the daughter of football legend, Tom Harmon (also the older sister of actor, Mark Harmon). In 1987, Rick was inducted into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame” two years after his passing. Rick Nelson had died in a plane crash on New Year’s Eve in 1985 at the age of 45.
