Ricky Nelson, born Eric Hilliard Nelson on May 8, 1940, was an American singer and actor who rose to fame as a teen idol in the 1950s and 1960s. Initially, he gained national attention on the television series "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet," starring alongside his real-life family. The show provided Nelson a platform to promote his music career, starting with his first hit "I'm Walkin'" in 1957. With his charming looks and smooth voice, Nelson quickly became a household name, bridging rockabilly, rock and roll, and pop with hits like "Hello Mary Lou," "Travelin' Man," and "Poor Little Fool," the latter becoming the first number-one song on the then newly-created Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Over the years, Ricky Nelson's music evolved, reflecting changes in both the musical landscape and his personal artistic pursuits. His later works such as "Garden Party," a top ten hit in 1972 written after a disappointing experience at a rock and roll revival concert, showed a more introspective and country-tinged style that resonated with a wide audience. Despite experiencing fluctuations in popularity, Nelson continued to produce music up until his untimely death in a plane crash on December 31, 1985. He left behind a rich legacy, including over fifty Billboard Hot 100 hits and a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which he was posthumously inducted into in 1987. His impact on rock and roll and popular music is enduring, with a discography that reveals a talent for adaptability and a sustained ability to connect with fans across generations.

Genres

Adult Standards

Doo-wop

Rock-and-roll

Rockabilly

Related Artists

Elvis Presley

Roy Orbison

Paul Anka

Buddy Holly

Jerry Lee Lewis

Eddie Cochran

Johnny Cash

Bobby Darin

Gene Vincent

Conway Twitty

Bobby Vee

Carl Perkins

Latest Release

Your Kind Of Lovin' (Live On The Ed Sullivan Show, January 23, 1966)

Ricky Nelson

Single - Released April 20, 2021