Life Of A Overnight Star!

You want to be a musician? Become that famous musician, follow your dreams and goals, and never let anyone bring you down. Ricky Nelson, son of Ozzie Nelson, never gave up on his dream, and he always kept his eyes on the music path. Born on May 8, 1940, in Teaneck New Jersey, Ricky had no say in how to live his childhood as a young boy and was immediately placed in the media world. Being a star on the hit TV show, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, Ricky never had a normal childhood. The show did not have any fake names or actors; this was the REAL life of the Nelsons. For Ricky what he did on and off the show resembled how the Nelson family was raised. Ricky passed away in DeKalb, Texas, on New Year's Eve, 1985. But, today I will be taking you back to the world of what is known as one of the best musician’s during this time period. This is the life of Ricky Hilliard Nelson.

Ricky’s music career started, when he first stared on his families TV show, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. Ricky was determined to have a career in music and stand on his own away from the show. The only thing that was in his way was his father, Ozzie. By mid 1950’s music started a new type of music. What stood out to teens during this time was Rock N’ Roll and Elvis Presley. Seeing this, Ricky wanted a record of his own. Ozzie figured out a way to make his sons shot at fame possible and gave Ricky a chance to perform on the show. Ricky started with a back up band who included: James Kirkland, Joe Osborn, and guitar legend James Burton, who later actually played lead guitar for Elvis Presley, and became a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. Here’s a video of Ricky Nelson performing “Traveling Man”:

One evening while in L.A. Rick was talking to his inspirational friend, Bob Dylan. Dylan told Rick to, “express himself honestly through his music.” After getting the advice from Dylan, Rick went on to create the “The Stone Canyon Band”, which included new instruments to create a feel of emotion. After a while Rick Nelson began to feel his music career to summit because of the success and fans he was receiving. But, by the early 1970’s Rick Nelson began to sing his “new” material. This included a different style than he was singing during the Ozzie and Harriet days. Rumors have it that during his performance at Madison Square Garden, that Rick left the stage because the crows was booing. But, according to ricknelson.com, “There were reports that police were in the back moving people out, and in the political spirit of the early 70's the crowd was actually booing the police activity. Regardless, Rick thought the booing was meant for him, and deeply shaken, he left the stage.” The outcome of this incident was his hit song, “Garden Party”.

"Garden Party" became Rick's first million-seller in over a decade, hitting at #6 and going gold in 1972. On the cover of the album is a different image of Rick.

           As we all know not everything we do in life is a fairy tale ending, and it wasn’t for Rick Nelson either. On December 1, 1985 Rick Nelson’s plane, en route from Alabama to New Year’s Eve show in Dallas, caught on fire and killed all aboard except the pilot and co-pilot. Rick Nelson was a teen idol, music icon, and a beloved father of two sons, Gunner and Matthew, who later created a band, The Nelson Brothers, and songs in memory of their father, Rick Nelson.

In the early 1970's, Rick wrote a song called "Gypsy Pilot." This is the final verse: 

"When they claim my body, they won't have much to say. Except that he lived a good life, he lived every day. And you know he saw the sunshine, and you know he felt the rain. He loved everybody, And he hopes you do the same."