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Ricky Nelson

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Ricky Nelson · Eric Hilliard Nelson, known as Ricky or Rick Nelson, was an American singer and actor, born on 8 May 1940 and died on 31 December 1985. From the age of eight he appeared with his family in the radio and television series The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. In 1957 he began his career as a singer. His first single was I'm Walkin' with A Teenager's Romance, and the album Ricky reached number one. In 1958 came his first number one, Poor Little Fool, which was also the first number one of the new Billboard Hot 100.

Music and breakthrough

His fame as a television star led to a role in the western Rio Bravo in 1959, alongside John Wayne and Dean Martin. Between 1957 and 1973 he placed 54 songs in the Hot 100, plus seventeen other top-ten hits. When the television series ended in 1966, he became a guest star on other programmes. In his twenties he switched to country rock, after a number of albums of pure country. In 1969 he formed the Stone Canyon Band, and his success returned with the live album In Concert at the Troubadour, 1969, and in 1972 with the hit Garden Party. After that his record label ran into trouble and interest remained limited.

Influence

Nelson is one of the first teen idols who became famous through television. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on 21 January 1987. His work shows how the rock 'n' roll of the 1950s blended with country and the television image.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Poor Little Fool and notice the soft voice and the simple accompaniment. Can you hear how rock 'n' roll sounds almost like a song for quiet listening here?

Discography

Studio albums

See also

Categories: Artists