He was the son of Ozzie and Harriet Nelson, famous for their long‑running family sitcom The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet, which premiered in 1952 and became one of the most enduring series in television history.
His parents’ show — created by his father, Ozzie — offered him and his older brother David an early introduction into television.
Both boys appeared on the sitcom from a young age, helping make Ozzie & Harriet a genuine family affair.
As Ricky matured, so did his role on the show. While many child stars struggle with the transition from youth to adulthood, Ricky’s life in the spotlight gave him a rare platform to grow up in front of an audience that already knew him.
He attended Hollywood High School, but like many young entertainers, he was far more interested in life beyond the classroom — especially as his musical career began to take shape.
By his late teens, Ricky was already a successful musician, sometimes earning more than $100,000 a year — a remarkable sum in the late 1950s, especially for someone who was still technically a teenager.
A Rising Music Career
Nelson’s first hit single came in 1957, when he was just 17 years old. The song, “I’m Walkin’,” was featured on an episode of The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet and was released soon after. It quickly soared up the charts and became a defining moment in Ricky’s early career.
“Poor Little Fool” – his first No. 1 hit on the Billboard charts
“Travelin’ Man” – another chart‑topping favorite
“Fools Rush In” – a pop standard frequently covered by other artists
“Garden Party” – a later hit that reflected his evolving relationship with fame and his audience
These songs helped bridge the gap between the teen idol era of the late 1950s and the more mature rock and roll of the 1960s and ’70s.
Ricky’s music blended rockabilly, pop, and country influences, creating a sound that appealed to a wide range of listeners.
His television fame also gave him an unusual advantage: he frequently debuted new songs on his parents’ show before they were ever released as singles, helping him reach millions of households instantly.
In April 1963, Ricky Nelson married Kristin Harmon, a fellow Hollywood native and artist whose family was friendly with the Nelsons.
Their marriage heralded the beginning of a new chapter in Ricky’s life — one defined as much by family as by fame.
Together, Ricky and Kristin had four children:
Sam Hilliard Nelson
Matthew Gray Nelson (twin)
Gunnar Eric Nelson (twin)
Tracy Kristine Nelson, who would grow up to become an actress herself
The twin sons, Matthew and Gunnar, would later find their own success in music, forming the rock duo Nelson in the late 1980s and early 1990s — a career they proudly built in their father’s legacy.
The Tour That Never Ended Well
Even as his music career progressed, Ricky Nelson continued touring extensively throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, performing live shows for devoted audiences across the United States.
But by the mid‑1980s, frequent flying — a necessity for touring musicians — became something he dreaded.
Nelson was known to dislike flying, and he reportedly attended psychotherapy sessions in an effort to manage his anxiety about it, determined to continue meeting his fans and honoring his busy schedule.
In late 1985, Ricky and his band embarked on a multi‑city tour of the southeastern United States.
After performances in Orlando, Florida, and Guntersville, Alabama, he was scheduled to fly to Dallas, Texas for a New Year’s Eve show — one of the final stops on the tour.
A Decision That Changed Lives
Matthew and Gunnar Nelson were originally supposed to travel with their father and his band on that flight to Dallas.
According to interviews the brothers gave in later years, they had packed their bags and were preparing to join the trip. Continue reading…
