On This Day in Show Biz: Ricky Nelson Rocks - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 03-25-2009, 05:32 PM

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On this day in 1958, Ricky Nelson, the real-life son of Ozzie and Harriet Nelson, who played himself on the hit radio and TV series The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, cuts his first records, “A Teenager’s Romance” and “I’m Walkin’.” A few weeks later, he sang the songs on the TV series and became an overnight pop star, despite his complete lack of musical experience.

Nelson was born in 1940 to famous parents: His father, Ozzie, was a bandleader, and his mother, Harriet, was a singer and actress. When Ricky was four years old, his parents launched their radio series, playing themselves, with actors playing their young sons. Five years later, Ricky and his older brother, David, suggested that they, like their parents, play themselves on the series. In 1952, the series moved to TV.

Nelson attended Hollywood High School and showed little interest in music until his girlfriend raved to him about Elvis. He boasted that he was about to cut a record himself. His father let him cut a demo with his orchestra; Nelson claimed he chose to cover Fats Domino’s “I’m Walkin’” because it relied heavily on the two guitar chords Nelson knew how to play.

When Nelson played the song on the TV series, he became an overnight sensation. His first album, released in November 1957, topped the Billboard charts, and Nelson became one of the best-selling male singers of the 1950s, with 53 Hot 100 hits, 17 in the Top 10. Nelson later changed his name from Ricky to Rick. He also appeared in several movies, including Rio Bravo, with John Wayne and Dean Martin, in 1959 and The Wackiest Ship in the Army in 1960.

After Ozzie and Harriet went off the air in 1966, Nelson’s music career fizzled until he discovered the emerging style of country rock. On two albums, he covered country material and scored a few hits in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Although he would never be a superstar again, he continued touring aggressively, performing more than 200 nights a year. He put together a new band in 1985 and signed a new record deal, but on December 31, en route to a concert in Texas, he died in a plane crash at age 45. The last song he performed live, the night before, was a cover of “Rave On” by Buddy Holly, who also died in a plane crash.

honeybea · 03-25-2009, 05:40 PM

He was a pretty good actor, but his singing was the best. He had a wonderful voice and I've always enjoyed hearing him sing any type music.

Goldilocks · 03-26-2009, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

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...until he discovered the emerging style of country rock.

Discovered it? Hell, he invented it!

MickeyMac · 03-28-2009, 02:04 PM

Whatever credit Rick gets for his music, its not enough.

Yeah totally he never gets the credit but he did invent country rock, and he was doing it before the Byrds or The Flying Burrito Brothers

Dan Tullis · 04-18-2009, 02:40 PM

Mike Nesmith once said in an interview that Rick Nelson was the one that started country rock, with records like "Hello Mary Lou". Who am I to argue with Mr. Nesmith? He's got outstanding country rock credentials himself. Just listen to his songs on the Monkees albums. He even had James Burton and Glen Campbell playing on his songs. Later on, he formed the First National Band and had a couple hits with "Joanne" and "Silver Moon".

MickeyMac · 04-18-2009, 04:03 PM

I dont think I have ever heard one bad record by Rick Nelson.

OH Nuts! · 04-19-2009, 01:56 AM

I totally agree with the sentiment that Rick never got the credit he deserved for his contributions to the music world.

He was just talented all the way around - a fine actor and singer. And nice to his fans. I'm glad I have a VHS tape of his guest appearance on a '79 Saturday Night Live episode. And of course Rio Bravo and all my wonderful eps of Adv. of O & H!

Goldilocks · 04-20-2009, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Tullis

Mike Nesmith once said in an interview that Rick Nelson was the one that started country rock, with records like "Hello Mary Lou". Who am I to argue with Mr. Nesmith? He's got outstanding country rock credentials himself. Just listen to his songs on the Monkees albums. He even had James Burton and Glen Campbell playing on his songs. Later on, he formed the First National Band and had a couple hits with "Joanne" and "Silver Moon".

I love Papa Nez!

Dan Tullis · 04-24-2009, 02:42 AM

I've often wondered what a Nelson/Nesmtih collaboration would've sounded like. Rick was not a prolific writer (although he came up with some great stuff), but an album of him singing Nez tunes could've been very good. "Papa Gene's Blues" (from the first Monkees album) is an excellent country rocker in "Hello Mary Lou" style, and I would've enjoyed hearing Rick interpret Neztunes like "Propinquity (I've Just Begun to Care)", "Lady of the Valley", "While I Cry", and "Carlisle Wheeling". He sure did a great job with the Bob Dylan songs he recorded.

Goldilocks · 04-24-2009, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Tullis

I've often wondered what a Nelson/Nesmtih collaboration would've sounded like. Rick was not a prolific writer (although he came up with some great stuff), but an album of him singing Nez tunes could've been very good. "Papa Gene's Blues" (from the first Monkees album) is an excellent country rocker in "Hello Mary Lou" style, and I would've enjoyed hearing Rick interpret Neztunes like "Propinquity (I've Just Begun to Care)", "Lady of the Valley", "While I Cry", and "Carlisle Wheeling". He sure did a great job with the Bob Dylan songs he recorded.

Ohhhh! Ricky singing "Propinquity"! *gasps*. I can just imagine!

You're right. What an awesome collaboration those two would've made!

Wow.

03-25-2009, 05:32 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,471	On This Day in Show Biz: Ricky Nelson Rocks Link On this day in 1958, Ricky Nelson, the real-life son of Ozzie and Harriet Nelson, who played himself on the hit radio and TV series The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, cuts his first records, “A Teenager’s Romance” and “I’m Walkin’.” A few weeks later, he sang the songs on the TV series and became an overnight pop star, despite his complete lack of musical experience. Nelson was born in 1940 to famous parents: His father, Ozzie, was a bandleader, and his mother, Harriet, was a singer and actress. When Ricky was four years old, his parents launched their radio series, playing themselves, with actors playing their young sons. Five years later, Ricky and his older brother, David, suggested that they, like their parents, play themselves on the series. In 1952, the series moved to TV. Nelson attended Hollywood High School and showed little interest in music until his girlfriend raved to him about Elvis. He boasted that he was about to cut a record himself. His father let him cut a demo with his orchestra; Nelson claimed he chose to cover Fats Domino’s “I’m Walkin’” because it relied heavily on the two guitar chords Nelson knew how to play. When Nelson played the song on the TV series, he became an overnight sensation. His first album, released in November 1957, topped the Billboard charts, and Nelson became one of the best-selling male singers of the 1950s, with 53 Hot 100 hits, 17 in the Top 10. Nelson later changed his name from Ricky to Rick. He also appeared in several movies, including Rio Bravo, with John Wayne and Dean Martin, in 1959 and The Wackiest Ship in the Army in 1960. After Ozzie and Harriet went off the air in 1966, Nelson’s music career fizzled until he discovered the emerging style of country rock. On two albums, he covered country material and scored a few hits in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Although he would never be a superstar again, he continued touring aggressively, performing more than 200 nights a year. He put together a new band in 1985 and signed a new record deal, but on December 31, en route to a concert in Texas, he died in a plane crash at age 45. The last song he performed live, the night before, was a cover of “Rave On” by Buddy Holly, who also died in a plane crash.
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03-25-2009, 05:40 PM	#2
honeybea Member Forum Regular Join Date: Nov 06, 2005 Location: SC Posts: 503	He was a pretty good actor, but his singing was the best. He had a wonderful voice and I've always enjoyed hearing him sing any type music.

03-28-2009, 02:04 PM	#4
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,008	Whatever credit Rick gets for his music, its not enough. Yeah totally he never gets the credit but he did invent country rock, and he was doing it before the Byrds or The Flying Burrito Brothers

04-18-2009, 02:40 PM	#5
Dan Tullis Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 15, 2009 Location: Seahurst, WA Posts: 180	Mike Nesmith once said in an interview that Rick Nelson was the one that started country rock, with records like "Hello Mary Lou". Who am I to argue with Mr. Nesmith? He's got outstanding country rock credentials himself. Just listen to his songs on the Monkees albums. He even had James Burton and Glen Campbell playing on his songs. Later on, he formed the First National Band and had a couple hits with "Joanne" and "Silver Moon".

04-18-2009, 04:03 PM	#6
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,008	I dont think I have ever heard one bad record by Rick Nelson.

04-19-2009, 01:56 AM	#7
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	I totally agree with the sentiment that Rick never got the credit he deserved for his contributions to the music world. He was just talented all the way around - a fine actor and singer. And nice to his fans. I'm glad I have a VHS tape of his guest appearance on a '79 Saturday Night Live episode. And of course Rio Bravo and all my wonderful eps of Adv. of O & H!

04-24-2009, 02:42 AM	#9
Dan Tullis Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 15, 2009 Location: Seahurst, WA Posts: 180	I've often wondered what a Nelson/Nesmtih collaboration would've sounded like. Rick was not a prolific writer (although he came up with some great stuff), but an album of him singing Nez tunes could've been very good. "Papa Gene's Blues" (from the first Monkees album) is an excellent country rocker in "Hello Mary Lou" style, and I would've enjoyed hearing Rick interpret Neztunes like "Propinquity (I've Just Begun to Care)", "Lady of the Valley", "While I Cry", and "Carlisle Wheeling". He sure did a great job with the Bob Dylan songs he recorded.