Family Tree Tuesday – Ricky Nelson Geni Blog Home » Family Tree Tuesday » Family Tree Tuesday – Ricky Nelson Family Tree Tuesday – Ricky Nelson Posted May 29, 2012 by Hiromimarie | No Comment Ricky Nelson Ricky Nelson was an American singer-songwriter, instumentalist, and actor. He played himself in the radio sitcom series, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet in 1949 which was the start of his entertainment career and he appeared in his first feature film, Here Come the Nelsons in 1952. In 1957, he recorded his first single, debuted as a singer on the television version of the sitcom, and recorded a number one album, Ricky. Nelson was the first teen idol to utilize television to promote hit records. His father Ozzie Nelson even had the idea to edit footage together to create some of the first music videos, which can be seen in videos Ozzie produced for “Travelin’ Man.” Nelson was born Eric Hilliard Nelson on May 8, 1940 in Teaneck, NJ to Ozzie Nelson and Harriet Hilliard.

He played football at Hollywood High School and represented the school in interscholastic tennis matches. He joined the Rooks, a greaser car club of sideburned high school teens clad in leather jackets and motorcycle boots in retaliation as he was blackballed by the Elksters, a fraternity of a dozen conservative sports-loving teens who thought him too wild. Many of the Elksters were family friends and spent weekends at the Nelson home playing basketball or relaxing around the pool. Twenty-five years later, he told the Los Angeles Weekly he hated school because it “smelled of pencils” and he was forced to rise early in the morning to attend. Ricky, Ozzie, Harriet and David Ozzie Nelson was an American entertainer and big band leader who originated and starred in The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet along with his wife and two sons. His paternal grandparents were Swedish and his mother was of English decent. He was raised in Ridgefield Park, NJ and graduated from Ridgefield Park High School, where he played on the football team. In the early 1990s, Ridgefield Park named a street after him, where the current high school is located.

Ozzie Nelson became an Eagle Scout at 13 and was a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award from the Boy Scouts of America. Ozzie formed and led the Ozzie Nelson Band and made his own “big break” in 1930 when the New York Daily Mirror ran a poll of its readers to determine their favorite band. He knew that news vendors got credit from the newspaper for unsold copies by returning the front page and discarding the rest of the issue. Gathering hundreds of discarded newspapers, the band filled out ballots in their favor and they were pronounced the winners. Harriet Hilliard ‘s birth name was Peggy Lou Snyder and was an American singer and actress. She was performing in vaudeville when she met Ozzie Nelson who hired her to sing with his band and they married three years later. She appeared in three feature films, the most famous being the Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers musical Follow the Fleet. Ricky’s older brother David Nelson was an American actor, director, and producer. He attended Hollywood High School and was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity while attending the University of Southern California. David directed several espisodes of The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet.

He started his own commercial production company. Kris Harmon Ricky married American primitive painter, actor, and author Sharon Kristin “Kris” Harmon , the daughter of football legend Tom Harmon and actress Elyse Knox , and the older sister of actress Kelly and actor Mark Harmon . The Nelson’s and the Harmon’s had long been friends and a union between their children held great appeal. Rick and Kris married in 1963 which Rick later described as a “shotgun wedding.” Nelson who was a non-practicing Protestant, received instruction in Catholicism at the insistence of the bride’s parents, and signed a pledge to have any children of the union baptized in the Catholic faith. Ricky Nelson - Biography - IMDb Ricky Nelson Biography Showing all 36 items Jump to: Overview (4) | Mini Bio (1) | Spouse (1) | Trade Mark (1) | Trivia (28) | Personal Quotes (1) Overview (4) 6' (1.83 m) Mini Bio (1) Ricky Nelson was born on May 8, 1940 in Teaneck, New Jersey, USA as Eric Hilliard Nelson.

He was an actor, known for The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet (1952) and Rio Bravo (1959). He was married to Kristin Harmon. He died on December 31, 1985 in De Kalb, Texas, USA. - IMDb Mini Biography By: Capo Kaitlin Spouse (1) He slowly bats his eyes in a longing, 'come hither' fashion while singing Trivia (28) Younger brother of actor/director, David Nelson . He was engaged to Helen Blair at the time of his death. She was killed in the plane crash with him and his band. Son of Ozzie Nelson and Harriet Nelson . Interred at Forest Lawn (Hollywood Hills), Los Angeles, California, USA, on the right as you walk in, on the steep slope under the third tree, two rows above Ozzie Nelson and Harriet Nelson . Johnny Cash wrote the song "Restless Kid" for him to sing in Howard Hawks ' Rio Bravo (1959).

However, music director Dimitri Tiomkin insisted that Nelson perform the folk song "Cindy" and Dimitri Tiomkin 's own "My Rifle, My Pony and Me". Johnny Cash 's evocative "Restless Kid", which sums up Ricky's Rio Bravo (1959) character "Colorado" in less than two minutes, never appeared in the film. Instead, it was released on Nelson's third album, "Ricky Sings Again" (Imperial LP 9061 [mono]/Imperial LP 12090 [stereo], 1959). Ex-brother-in-law of Mark Harmon and Kelly Harmon . When Rick Nelson appeared at The Rock Revival at Madison Square Garden in 1971, he was unaware that he was to appear in clothing from the era of the height of his popularity. Not aware of this he appeared in contemporary clothing and was booed because of this. Afterwards, and as a result of this, he wrote the hit song, "Garden Party". Elected to the Rock and Roll Hall Fame in 1987.

One of the most popular teen idols on the late 1950's and early 1960's, his many hit records, primarily on the Imperial and American Decca labels, include "I'm Walkin'", "Travelin' Man", "Poor Little Fool", "For You", "Fools Rush In", "It's Late", and "Garden Party". Most of these songs were originally introduced on The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet (1952) TV show. Ever since his death in a private plane crash on New Year's Eve, 1985, it had been speculated that the fire that caused the crash was the result of drug use - supposedly freebasing cocaine - either by Nelson himself or by one of his crew. This theory has since been discredited by, among other sources, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board in their official report on the crash. Their evidence shows that the cause originally given for the crash (an on-board heater short-circuiting and catching fire) is the correct one. Ranked #2 in TV Guide's list of "TV's 25 Greatest Teen Idols" (23 January 2005 issue).

He was voted the 91st Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Artist of all time by Rolling Stone. Was the first teen idol to use television as a way to promote hit records. His version of "I'm Walkin' " made #4 on the Billboard singles chart and sold over a million copies after he performed it on TV. His hit single "Garden Party," which in the fall of 1972 reached #6 and went gold, was about his experience during a Madison Square Garden concert. In fact, when in that song he sang "But if memories were all I sang, I'd rather drive a truck," he meant it. He at first had no ambition to be a rock singer. When a girlfriend told him that she was in love with Elvis Presley , Rick told her that he was a rock singer, too. He hurriedly cut a cover of Fats Domino 's song "I'm Walkin'", which became a big hit and started his musical career. Ex-son-in-law of Tom Harmon and Elyse Knox .

Ricky's children Tracy Nelson , Matthew Nelson , and Gunnar Nelson always maintained that their father's 1985 plane crash death was the result of a malfunctioning heater and not of alleged drug use on board the plane. He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 1515 Vine Street in Hollywood, California. Was one of two rock stars to have never appeared on New American Bandstand 1965 (1952). The other was Elvis Presley , though Elvis did speak on the phone on Bandstand to host Dick Clark on January 8, 1960, Elvis' 25th birthday. He was overseas in the army(1958-1960)at the time. On that show Elvis accepted a Special Award for " "1959 Record Of The Year" for " A Big Hunk Of Love"/"My Wish Came True", a 2 sided hit, from from the Summer of 1959. Little Richard did not appear on "Bandstand" until 1964.

By that time, RnR was in its' 2nd generation and "Bandstand" had left is' after school format and became a weekly show, moving from Philadelphia to LA. Stepuncle of Teri Nelson and John Nelson . He performed his debut single ""Im Walkin", a cover of Fats Domino's mega hit, on "The Perry Como Kraft Music Hall, in 1957. In addition to films, from 1958-1965 he performed his songs for the TV audience, only on "The Adventures of "Ozzie And Harriet", until 1966, when he appeared on "The Ed Sullivan Show". When "Billboard" first introduced the "Hot 100" chart that would become the industry standard, the very first song to top that chart was Nelson's "Poor Little Fool" (4 August 1958). Nephew of Don Nelson . Release of the book, "Teenage Idol, Travelin' Man: The Complete Biography of Rick Nelson" by Philip Bashe. [1992] Release of the book, "Ricky Nelson: Idol For a Generation" by Joel Selvin.

[1990] Personal Quotes (1) RICKY NELSON AND SIX OTHERS DIE AS THEIR PLANE CRASHES IN TEXAS - NYTimes.com RICKY NELSON AND SIX OTHERS DIE AS THEIR PLANE CRASHES IN TEXAS By THOMAS C. HAYES, Special to the New York Times Published: January 1, 1986 DALLAS, Dec. 31— Ricky Nelson, who gained childhood fame on his parents' radio and television programs and went on to became one of rock-and-roll's earliest teen-age idols, was killed today along with his fiancee and five other people when his DC-3 plane crashed in flames near De Kalb, Tex. The pilot and copilot survived the crash, but were critically burned, according to Michael L. Cox, a spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety in Austin. Mr. Nelson, 45 years old, and the other victims were flying to Dallas aboard Mr. Nelson's plane for a New Year's Eve concert at the Park Suite Hotel in Dallas. The plane crashed in a wooded area near De Kalb, about 35 miles west of Texarkana. Mr.

Cox said the plane was on a flight from Guntersville, Ala., where Mr. Nelson's band had played a concert the night before. It was seen circling De Kalb erratically shortly after 5 P.M. and a Texas Department of Public Safety helicopter was sent up to ask if the pilot needed assistance. The helicopter pilot was told there was a fire on board. The pilot of the plane said the cockpit was full of smoke and he was looking for a place to land. Plane Exploded on Impact ''The plane made one more circle over the area and then crashed in flames,'' Mr. Cox said. As it went down the plane also hit a power line and exploded on impact. The survivors were identified as Ken Ferguson and Brad Rank. The plane was so hot from the fire that rescue workers could not get close enough to recover the bodies of the victims, Mr. Cox said. He said the investigating officers discovered Mr. Nelson's identity because one of the survivors gave him a name to call and it turned out to be Mr. Nelson's manager. The manager confirmed that the plane was Mr. Nelson's from the registration number on the tail. The survivors were taken to St.

Michael Hospital in Texarkana, the Department of Public Safety spokesman said. A hospital spokesman said both were in critical condition with burns over the upper parts of their bodies. Plane Bound for Love Field The plane was bound for Love Field in Dallas when it went down at 5:16 P.M. according to Mitch Barket, a Federal Aviation Admistration spokesman. The other victims were identified by the Texas Department of Public Safety as Helen Blair, 27, Mr. Nelson's fiancee, Bobby Neal, 38, Patrick Woodward, 35, Rick Intzfield, 22, Andy Chappin, 30, and Clark Russell, 35. >---- Mr. Nelson was born Eric Hilliard Nelson May 8, 1940 in Teaneck, N.J., the younger son of Ozzie and Harriet Nelson. When he was 8 years old, Mr. Nelson and his brother, David, first joined their parents' radio show, ''The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet.'' It became a television show in 1952, and in 1955 Ozzie Nelson formed his own film company to produce it.

The show continued until 1966, and is still being shown on some cable systems. A generation of television viewers watched Ricky and David grow up on the show. Ozzie Nelson died of cancer in 1975 at the age of 68. In the late 1950's Ricky began to sing on the television show, and when he was 16 he recorded ''I'm Walkin', '' a Fats Domino hit, and became an instant idol of the teenie-bopper set. After the television show ran its course, Ricky Nelson devoted his time to singing, and over the years he recorded scores of singles and albums. He also made several movies, including ''Rio Bravo'' with John Wayne and ''The Wackiest Ship in the Army'' with Jack Lemmon. Among his biggest record hits in the heydey of his teen-idol days were ''It's Late'' ''Lonesome Town,'' ''I'm Walkin' '' and ''Mary Lou.'' In later years he and his Stone Canyon Band helped lay the foundations of the Los Angeles country-rock sound that became prevalent in the 1970's. Mr.

Nelson was divorced from Kristin Harmon, with whom he had four children. photo of Ricky Nelson (AP); photo of wreckage of plane near DeKalb, Tex. (AP) Ricky Nelson Ricky (Rick) Nelson Ricky Nelson was the first rock star to be a true child of radio and television. His parents, Oswald George "Ozzie" Nelson and Harriet Hilliard were popular entertainers during the 1930s. Ozzie fronted a dance band and had a Number One hit in 1935 with "And Then Some." Harriet was a movie actress and became Ozzie's lead singer three years before she became his wife in 1935. Their marriage produced two sons, David born in Chicago on October 24, 1936 and Eric Hilliard (Ricky) born in Teaneck, New Jersey, on May 8, 1940. By the 1940s the big band era was changing. The best jazz virtuosos, were performing more frequently in concert settings as opposed to dance halls. Never a great instrumentalist, Ozzie continued to pursue a living in the old vaudeville fashion.

Week after week he did one-nighters on the road while Harriet and the children remained at home in Tenafly, New Jersey. The Nelsons, minus Ricky, moved to Hollywood in 1941 so that Ozzie could take the job of bandleader for Red Skelton's radio program. Ricky stayed in Tenafly with his grandmother.The Nelsons bought a fourteen room, two-story home at 1822 Camino Palmero that would remain their residence for the rest of their lives. Ricky joined the family in 1942. In 1944 when Red Skelton left the radio show, Ozzie and Harriet were offered the program. The "Adventures Of Ozzie and Harriet" started slow, but gained momentum. The show centered around the real life personalities of the couple. Ozzie always seemed befuddled and out of sync with the happenings going around him and Harriet was the calm in the eye of the storm. The characters of David and Ricky were present from the beginning. The first season they were only mentioned in passing and weren't part of the cast. When the time came to introduce the children, young actors were hired.

David and Ricky pressured their parents to play them selves. During this time the show moved from CBS to NBC, and then to ABC. On February 20, 1949, David and Ricky made their first appearance on the show in an episode called "Invitation To Dinner." David was described as down-to-earth, sincere, professional, quiet. Ricky is recalled as cocky, full of pranks, and insecure. Ricky was the natural born entertainer. In 1950, ABC offered the Nelsons a television show based on the radio format. Ozzie decided to test the idea with a low budget movie. In 1951, "Here Comes The Nelsons" played in drive-in theaters and local theaters across the country. The movie earned moderate box office receipts, but proved the Nelsons were ready for their own television show. Family pictures with a young Ricky and an older Rick The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" moved to ABC-TV in the fall of 1952. The show ran fourteen seasons with four hundred an thirty five episodes. During his childhood, Ricky suffered with asthma attacks, and grew up thin and sickly.

However beginning with his 1952 television debut he went from a scrawny twelve year old prankster to a rakishly charming young man in 1956. A modest young man Ricky was remembered as quiet and well behaved at Bancroft Junior High. In 1954, he enrolled at Hollywood High School and was an average student. By this time, he was earning a $100,00 annual salary from the TV show. In 1956, rock and roll was sweeping the country and old styles of music out of the way. Ricky was a member of the Rooks, a clique at Hollywood high that liked to cause trouble for authority figures. Ozzie and Harriet were as average as one could be and still be TV stars.. Ricky resented their life style and authority. In retaliation, he immerse himself into rock and roll music, the antithesis of Ozzie's smooth big band sound. He grew sideburns, slicked his hair back, wore shirts with the collars turned up and even tried to tattoo himself on the shoulder and wrist. Mostly, he played rock and roll music - loud.

Legend has it that Ricky was dating a beautiful teenager named Arlene. His natural insecurity made him certain Arlene was going to drop him at any minute, after all she was a year older than him. Their few dates were "cold." On what he was certain was going to be their last date, an Elvis song was playing on the car radio. Arlene swooned over Elvis. Ricky quickly said that he was about to make his own record. Arlene responded by laughing. Ricky pleaded with Ozzie to help him make a record after all Ozzie had been a recording star in his own right. Ozzie finally agreed and through his connections Ricky became part of the entertainment at Knott's Berry Farm. Ricky acquitted himself very well. Ricky Nelson (Musician) - Pics, Videos, Dating, & News Ricky Nelson Male Born May 8, 1940 Eric Hilliard Nelson, better known as Ricky Nelson or Rick Nelson, was an American singer-songwriter, instrumentalist, and actor.

He placed 53 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 between 1957 and 1973 including "Poor Little Fool", which holds the distinction of being the first #1 song on Billboard magazine's then newly created Hot 100 chart. He recorded nineteen additional top-ten hits, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on January 21, 1987.… Read More related links Springfield's Jaxx Rock Club Sues Gunnar Nelson, Alleging Slander Washington Post (Blog) Google News - Sep 02, 2011 'The Nelson twins â sons of <mark>Ricky Nelson</mark>, grandsons of Ozzie and Harriet Nelson â had played Jaxx many times, and Nedry had become friends with them. They were lined up again to play in September 2008, for a fee of $7500, and here&#39;s where a crucial' Ricky Nelson Remembered In Song And Stories By His Twin Sons Matthew And ...

K2 Radio Google News - Aug 31, 2011 '<mark>RICKY NELSON</mark> REMEMBERED is a multi media musical journey of the life and music of Teen Idol Rick Nelson. Featuring hit songs (âHello Mary Louâ, âTravelin&#39; Manâ, âGarden Partyâ, etc.) performed by Ricky&#39;s twin sons Matthew &amp; Gunnar Nelson' Are They Ready For Some Football? Umpqua Post Google News - Aug 30, 2011 'The young athletes included from left front; Tucker Anderson, <mark>Ricky Nelson</mark>, Marc Chaney, Tristin Handsaker, Donovan Swenson, Clayton Lent, Quintin Dascher, Joseph Paramo, Dovic Patin and Rad Osburn. Back row: Christopher Chavtur, Joey Herr,' Musical Odyssey By Three Generations Sunday Times.Lk Google News - Aug 27, 2011 'They had a repertoire that spanned Elvis, Cliff Richard, <mark>Ricky Nelson</mark> and other greats of the time.

But his career in advertising saw Ishan making an early exit from the music scene. He never forgot his first love though. Thirty years later in 2000,' Learn about the memorable moments in the evolution of Ricky Nelson. CHILDHOOD 1940 Birth Eric Hilliard "Ricky" Nelson was born on May 8, 1940, in Teaneck, New Jersey. … Read More He was the second son of big band leader Ozzie Nelson, who was half Swedish, and his wife, big band vocalist Harriet Hilliard Nelson (born Peggy Louise Snyder). Harriett remained in Englewood, New Jersey, with her newborn and her older son David, while Ozzie toured with the Nelson orchestra. Read Less Show Less The Nelsons bought a two-story colonial house in Tenafly, New Jersey, and, six months after the purchase, moved with son David to Hollywood, where Ozzie and Harriet were slated to appear in the 1941â42 season of Red Skelton's The Raleigh Cigarette Hour; Ricky remained in Tenafly in the care of his paternal grandmother.

In November 1941, the Nelsons bought what would become their permanent home: a green and white, two-story, Cape Cod colonial home at 1822 Camino Palmero in Los Angeles. 1942 2 Years Old Ricky joined his parents and brother in Los Angeles in 1942. … Read More Ricky was a small and insecure child who suffered from severe asthma. At night, his sleep was eased with a vaporizer emitting tincture of evergreen. He was described by Red Skelton's producer John Guedel as "an odd little kid," likable, shy, introspective, mysterious, and inscrutable. When Skelton was drafted in 1944, Guedel crafted the radio sitcom The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet for Ricky's parents. Read Less 1944 4 Years Old The show debuted on Sunday, October 8, 1944, to favorable reviews. … Read More Ozzie eventually became head writer for the show and based episodes on the fraternal exploits and enmity of his sons.

Read Less 1949 9 Years Old The Nelson boys were first played in the radio series by professional child actors until twelve-year-old Dave and eight-year-old Ricky joined the show on February 20, 1949, in the episode "Invitation to Dinner." TEENAGE 1952 12 Years Old In 1952, the Nelsons tested the waters for a television series with the theatrically released film Here Come the Nelsons. The film was a hit, and Ozzie was convinced the family could make the transition from radio's airwaves to television's small screen. On October 3, 1952, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet made its television debut and was broadcast in first run until September 3, 1966, to become one of the longest-running sitcoms in television history. 1954 14 Years Old Nelson attended Gardner Street Public School, Bancroft Junior High, and, between 1954 and 1958, Hollywood High School, from which he graduated with a B average. … Read More He played football at Hollywood High and represented the school in interscholastic tennis matches.

Twenty-five years later, Nelson told the Los Angeles Weekly he hated school because it "smelled of pencils" and he was forced to rise early in the morning to attend.<br /><br /> Ozzie Nelson was a Rutgers alumnus and keen on college education, but eighteen-year-old Ricky was already in the 93 percent income-tax bracket and saw no reason to attend. At age thirteen, Ricky was making over $100,000 per annum, and at sixteen he had a personal fortune of $500,000. Nelson's wealth was astutely managed by his parents, who channeled his earnings into trust funds. Although his parents permitted him a $50 allowance at the age of eighteen, Rick was often strapped for cash and one evening collected and redeemed empty pop bottles to gain entrance to a movie theater for himself and a date. Read Less 1956 16 Years Old … Nelson played clarinet and drums in his tweens and early teens, learned the rudimentary guitar chords, and vocally imitated his favorite Sun Records rockabilly artists in the bathroom at home or in the showers at the Los Angeles Tennis Club.

Read Less He was strongly influenced by the music of Carl Perkins and once said he tried to emulate the sound and the tone of the guitar break in Perkins's March 1956 Top Ten hit "Blue Suede Shoes." … Read More At age sixteen, he wanted to impress his girlfriend of two years, Diana Osborn(e), who was an Elvis Presley fan and, although he had no record contract at the time, told her that he, too, was going to make a record. With his father's help, he secured a one-record deal with Verve Records, an important jazz label looking for a young and popular personality who could sing or be taught to sing. Read Less Show Less During 1958 and 1959, Nelson placed twelve hits on the charts in comparison with Presley's eleven. During these two years, Presley had only recorded music for King Creole in January and February 1958 before his induction into the U.S. Armed Forces, and a brief recording session consisting of five songs while on Military Leave four months later. In the summer of 1958, Nelson conducted his first full-scale tour, averaging $5,000 nightly.

In 1958, Nelson recorded 17-year-old Sharon Sheeley's "Poor Little Fool" for his second album, Ricky Nelson, released in June 1958. … Read More Radio airplay brought the tune notice, and Imperial suggested releasing a single, but Nelson opposed the idea, believing a single would diminish EP sales. When a single was released nonetheless, he exercised his contractual right to approve any artwork and vetoed a picture sleeve. On August 4, 1958, "Poor Little Fool" became the #1 single on Billboards newly instituted Hot 100 singles chart and sold over two million copies.<br /><br /> Nelson stated Read Less TWENTIES 1960 20 Years Old By 1960, the Ricky Nelson International Fan Club had 9,000 chapters around the world. … Read More Nelson was the first teen idol to utilize television to promote hit records. Ozzie Nelson even had the idea to edit footage together to create some of the first music videos.

This creative editing can be seen in videos Ozzie produced for "Travelin' Man." Nelson appeared on the Sullivan show in 1967, but his career by that time was in limbo. He also appeared on other television shows (usually in acting roles). In 1973, he had an acting role in an episode of The Streets of San Francisco. He starred in the episode "A Hand For Sonny Blue" from the 1977 series Quinn Martin's Tales of the Unexpected (known in the United Kingdom as Twist in the Tale). In 1979, he guest-hosted on Saturday Night Live, spoofing his television sitcom image by appearing in a Twilight Zone sendup in which, always trying to go "home," he finds himself among the characters from other 1950s/early 1960s-era sitcoms, Leave It to Beaver, Father Knows Best, Make Room for Daddy, and I Love Lucy. Read Less Show Less Nelson and Sharon Kristin Harmon were married on April 20, 1963, and divorced in December 1982.

… Read More They had four children: Tracy Kristine, twin sons Gunnar Eric and Matthew Gray, and Sam Hilliard. Read Less In 1963, Nelson signed a 20-year contract with Decca Records. 1964 24 Years Old After some early successes with the label, most notably 1964's "For You" (#6), Nelson's chart career came to a dramatic halt in the wake of Beatlemania and The British Invasion. … Read More In the mid 1960s, Nelson began to move towards country music, becoming a pioneer in the country-rock genre. He was one of the early influences of the so-called "California Sound" (which would include singers like Jackson Browne and Linda Ronstadt and bands like the Eagles). Read Less THIRTIES 1970 30 Years Old Yet Nelson himself did not reach the Top 40 again until 1970, when he recorded Bob Dylan's "She Belongs to Me" with the Stone Canyon Band, featuring Randy Meisner, who in 1971 became a founding member of the Eagles, and former Buckaroo steel guitarist Tom Brumley.

1972 32 Years Old In 1972, Nelson reached the Top 40 one last time with "Garden Party", a song he wrote in disgust after a Richard Nader Oldies Concert at Madison Square Garden where the audience booed him, because, he felt, he was playing new songs instead of just his old hits. … Read More When he performed The Rolling Stones' "Honky Tonk Women", he was booed off the stage. He was watching the rest of the performance on a TV monitor backstage and Richard Nader finally convinced Nelson to return to the stage and play his "oldies". He returned to the stage and played his "oldies" and the audience responded with applause, according to Deborah Nader, President of Richard Nader Entertainment. He wanted to record an album featuring original material, but the single was released before the album because Nelson had not completed the entire Garden Party album yet. "Garden Party" reached #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and was certified as a gold single.

The second single released from the album was "Palace Guard" which peaked at #65.<br /><br /> Nelson was with MCA at the time, and his comeback was short-lived. Nelson's band soon resigned, and MCA wanted Nelson to have a producer on his next album. His band moved to Aspen and changed their name to "Canyon". Nelson soon put together a new Stone Canyon Band and began to tour for the Garden Party album. Nelson still played nightclubs and bars, but he soon advanced to higher-paying venues because of the success of Garden Party. In 1974 MCA was at odds as to what to do with the former teen idol. Albums like Windfall failed to have an impact. Read Less 1975 35 Years Old By 1975, following the birth of their last child, the marriage had deteriorated and a very public, controversial divorce involving both families was covered in the press for several years. In October 1977, Kris filed for divorce and asked for alimony, custody of their four children, and a portion of community property.

… Read More The couple temporarily resolved their differences, but Kris retained her attorney to pursue a permanent break. Kris wanted Rick to give up music, spend more time at home, and focus on acting, but the family enjoyed a recklessly expensive lifestyle, and Kris's extravagant spending left Rick no choice but to tour relentlessly. The impasse over Rick's career created unpleasantness at home. Kris became an alcoholic and left the children in the care of household help. Read Less FORTIES 1980 40 Years Old In 1980, Nelson met Helen Blair, a part-time model and exotic animal trainer, in Las Vegas. David Nelson obituary: David Nelson dies at 74; last surviving member of the TV sitcom family - latimes YOU ARE HERE: LAT Home → Collections → News David Nelson dies at 74; last surviving member of the TV sitcom family David Nelson and his brother, Rick, joined their parents on 'The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet' on radio in 1949. The show moved to TV in 1952 and ran for 14 years. David Nelson later became a director.

January 12, 2011 |Dennis McLellan, Los Angeles Times From top, David, Harriet, Ozzie and Ricky Nelson played fictionalized… (ABC ) David Nelson, the elder son of Ozzie and Harriet Nelson and the last surviving member of the family that became an American institution in the 1950s and '60s as the stars of the classic TV sitcom "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet," died Tuesday. He was 74. Nelson died at his Century City home of complications from colon cancer, said publicist Dale Olson. "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" began on radio in 1944, focusing on the home life of bandleader Ozzie Nelson and his vocalist wife, Harriet Hilliard. In 1949, the popular show became a true family affair when 12-year-old David and 8-year-old Ricky replaced the child actors who had been portraying them on radio. "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" moved to television three years later, debuting on ABC in October 1952.

When the series ended in 1966 after 435 episodes, it had become the longest-running family situation comedy in TV history — as well as serving as the launch pad and showcase for teen idol Rick Nelson's singing career. In the process of playing fictionalized versions of themselves on television each week for 14 years, David and Rick Nelson literally grew up in front of millions of Americans. Indeed, after David and Rick were married in the early '60s, their wives — first David's wife, actress June Blair, and then Rick's wife, the former Kris Harmon — became their TV wives. The blurring of what was real and what was not real caused confusion in some viewers' minds. When David enrolled at USC and joined a fraternity after graduating from Hollywood High School in 1954, his TV character started college and joined a fraternity. But unlike his TV character, who became a lawyer on the show, David did not go into law. Instead, he launched his career as a director by taking the reins from his director-father for about a dozen episodes of the show in the early '60s. He spent the next several decades directing commercials and occasional TV series and movies.

"The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" has been criticized for presenting an idealized version of American family life that few could live up to. That included the Nelsons, as David pointed out in a 1971 Esquire article headlined "The Happy, Happy, Happy Nelsons." "We would keep up the front of this totally problemless, happy-go-lucky group," he said. "There might have been a tremendous battle in our home, but if someone from outside came in, it would be as if the director yelled, 'Roll 'em,' We'd fall right into our stage roles. "It's an awfully big load to carry, to be everyone's fantasy family." He was born Oct. 24, 1936, in New York City, when Ozzie and Harriet were in their big-band heyday. Rick was born in 1940, the year before the Nelsons moved permanently to Hollywood. After Ozzie and Harriet launched their radio show in 1944, David and Rick would accompany their parents to their live broadcasts.

They had no show business aspirations, but when they heard that their young friend Lindsay Crosby was going to make a guest appearance with his father, Bing, in an episode of the show in December 1948, David and Rick lobbied their parents to let them appear as well. Ozzie and Harriet finally agreed to let them play David and Ricky in the preview show before a studio audience but not the actual broadcast. As Harriet told The Times in 1981: "You're not anxious to put your career in the hands of kids." The boys did not disappoint their parents. "They just opened their mouths and you never heard such laughs," said Harriet. "Ricky sounded like a pipsqueak." David and Ricky joined the cast of "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" in February 1949. Within six months, Radio Life magazine dubbed them "The Crown Princes of Radio." From the start, Ricky was given most of the funny lines and, as a result, he received most of the attention. But there wasn't really any rivalry between himself and his younger brother, Nelson said in a 1987 Associated Press interview.

"We were 3 1/2 years apart," David Nelson said. "So when Rick was funny, I laughed with everyone else. And when he became a popular singer, I rooted for him." David and Rick made their movie debuts in "Here Come the Nelsons," the 1952 comedy released about eight months before the family debuted on television. During the '50s and early '60s, David Nelson also had roles in the movies "Peyton Place," "The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker," "The Big Circus," "Day of the Outlaw," "30" and "The Big Show." For "The Big Circus," he learned to be a catcher in a trapeze act and later appeared professionally as a catcher. Nelson acted only sporadically after "Ozzie and Harriet" ended; his final acting credit was as the father of Wanda ( Traci Lords) in "Cry-Baby," writer-director John Waters' spoof of the '50s. Ozzie Nelson died of liver cancer in 1975. Rick Nelson died with six others in a plane crash on New Year's Eve 1985.

And in 1994, Harriet Nelson died of congestive heart failure. Nelson is survived by his wife, Yvonne; sons John, Eric, James and Danny; daughter Teri; and seven grandchildren. Nelson's marriage to Blair ended in divorce in 1975. Nelson twins honor dad with tribute - The San Diego Union-Tribune Entertainment Music Nelson twins honor dad with tribute Twins Gunnar and Matthew Nelson perform in the show "Ricky Nelson Remembered," playing Feb. 23 at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido. Also on the bill is Jim Curry's John Denver Tribute show. CREDIT: Ricky Nelson Remembered Twins Gunnar and Matthew Nelson perform in the show "Ricky Nelson Remembered," playing Feb. 23 at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido. Also on the bill is Jim Curry's John Denver Tribute show. CREDIT: Ricky Nelson Remembered Twins Gunnar and Matthew Nelson perform in the show "Ricky Nelson Remembered," playing Feb. 23 at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido. Also on the bill is Jim Curry's John Denver Tribute show.

CREDIT: Ricky Nelson Remembered Entertainment Twenty-seven years ago, former teen idol Ricky Nelson was killed in a fiery plane crash in Texas. At the time, his twin sons Matthew and Gunnar were 18 and had planned to be on the flight, but their father talked them out of it. “We were packed and ready to go,” Matthew Nelson said, in a phone interview last month from L.A. “My last conversation with him, now that I look back on it, I think he had some idea that something was going to happen.” Five years later, the twins were pop idols themselves, with the No. 1 hit “(Can’t Live Without Your) Love and Affection,” and the Nashville-based duo has been touring and selling records together ever since as NELSON. But for the past three years, the L.A.-bred twins have been doing a different show that has grown so popular, it has taken over much of their time. “Ricky Nelson Remembered” — which plays Feb. 23 in Escondido with Jim Curry’s John Denver tribute “Take Me Home” — will play 100 dates around the country this year.

It’s a mix of songs by Ricky Nelson, as well as family stories and photos, followed by a fan meet-and-greet in the lobby. Matthew Nelson said the success of the show has taken them both by surprise. “I’m fairly stunned,” Matthew said. “I had no idea that there were this many people out there that still loved our dad and, frankly, our whole family. Attendance has been very good all over the place.” Matthew said he thinks the reason it’s such a hit is that so many Americans grew up with their dad (as a boy, Ricky co-starred with his parents on ABC’s “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet” from 1952-1966) and because the adult Ricky was such a good songwriter. The songs the twins play in “Ricky Nelson Remembered” are from a set list Matthew found among his dad’s belongings after the crash (it includes “Hello, Mary Lou,” “Travelin’ Man,” Matthew’s favorite, “Garden Party” and Gunnar’s favorite, “Lonesome Town”). Matthew said he still misses his father every day and feels closest to him when he’s singing his songs.

He describes his late father as a shy, gentle, kind and humble man who he and Gunnar saw very little of during their teen years (because Ricky toured 300 days a year and because of a bitter divorce and custody battle with the boys’ mother). The twins turned 18 and moved in with Ricky just four months before he died, and Matthew describes that brief bonding time as joyous. “We were very, very close. He was my buddy.” Today, the twins live in Nashville, are both single (Matthew is engaged to be married for the second time), and the twins remain tight. “We’re not the Everly Brothers, we get along,” he said. At 45, they’re now the same age as their father when he died. “It’s surreal,” Nelson said. “When my Dad passed, he had finally reconnected with what he loved most — his music career was on an upswing and he had brought his family back together again. Gunnar and I have never lost sight of how important it is to maximize time with family.

I am lucky enough to have a career making music with my twin brother and the blessing I’ve had from this experience is learning to live every day to its fullest.” Ricky Nelson Remembered & John Denver Tribute When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23 Where: California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido Tickets: $23-$45 Ricky Nelson (1940 - 1985) - Find A Grave Memorial Bowie County Texas, USA Singer and Actor. Eric Hilliard Nelson was born in Teaneck, New Jersey, to Ozzie and Harriet Nelson. Ozzie was a band leader and Harriet was the band's vocalist. Later, they were best known for their radio show, "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet." Ricky and his brother David joined the show's cast playing themselves in 1944. He made his first movie in 1952's "Here comes the Nelsons." This lead to their television show, "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet." The show became the first and longest running family sit-com.

Rick was also interested in Tennis and was ranked fifth in California among tennis player's 15 years old and younger. He competed nationally, and at one time had ambitions to go professional. His first recording was his rendition of Fats Domino�s "I'm Walkin'." The record flew out of the stores and sold one million copies in a week, completely unheard of at that time. The song went to #2 on the Billboard Chart, and its flip side, "A Teenagers Romance" hit #2 as well. Through the power of television, he became one of the first artists that audiences saw and heard simultaneously. He would perform a song at the end of every show. Consequently American teenagers had far greater access to Rock n' Roll than they ever would have had, one of Rick Nelson's most important contribution to music. Life magazine ran a cover story on him, and coined an original phrase to describe what he had become: a "Teenage Idol." At the age of 21 he had 9 gold records and his single hit that year, "Travelin' Man," sold over 2 million copies and went to #1.

Its flip side "Hello, Mary Lou" proved to be his biggest hit ever, reaching #1 in 32 countries. For the television show, Ozzie overlaid Rick's performance of "Travelin' Man" with some footage specially shot on location, making it the first conceptual rock video in history. He appeared in "Rio Bravo" (1959) and "The Wackiest Ship in the Army" (1960). He married Kristin Harmon in April 1963. They had a daughter, Tracy, and three sons, Gunner, Matthew and Sam. He and Kristen would later divorce. "Garden Party" became Rick's first million-seller in over a decade, hitting at #6 and going gold in 1972. "Interviews from the class of 55 Recording Sessions" won a Grammy in 1986 for Best Spoken Word Recording. It was Rick's only Grammy, and vastly ironic to those who knew him well as the quiet man who would rather sing than talk.

On December 31, 1985, en route from Alabama to a New Year's Eve show in Dallas, Nelson's DC-3 crash-landed in a field near DeKalb, Texas. The burning plane trapped its passengers inside, killing all aboard, except the pilot and co-pilot, who escaped through the cockpit window. He was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. (bio by: Jane Stacy Eubanks)

Question: Who were the parents of Ricky Nelson?
Answer: Ozzie and Harriet