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Ricky Nelson was one of television and rock and roll's first teen idols. His good looks and boy-next-door image drew audiences to his family's weekly show for almost 15 years, and his wholesome image made him a safer alternative in some parents' eyes to Elvis Presley. Yet, he managed to surpass his teen image and find success in adulthood and had offspring that managed to gain a measure of success.

He was born Eric Hilliard Nelson on May 8, 1940 in Teaneck, New Jersey. Rick and his brother David were born into an entertainment family. Their father Ozzie was a bandleader and their mother Harriet was a singer. Their parents had their own radio show; the boys first appeared on the show in 1949. Eventually, the family would become a part of new media, television.

In 1952, "Ozzie and Harriet" debuted on ABC. The show was the standard family sitcom of the 50s, featuring the perfect, middle-class parents in their traditional roles. The father was the head and the mother always looked perfect. Any problems with the children were solved in 30 minutes. The success of the show could be directly related to Ricky Nelson's appeal. It was apparent who the star in the family was.

In 1957, at 17, Ricky Nelson's good looks helped when he launched his recording career; he was the first teen idol to use television to promote his music. His first single was a version of Fats Domino's "I'm Walking" and on the flip side of the single "A Teenager's Romance." He have a multitude of Top Ten hits, which solidified is place in rock and roll. Yet, his style of rock set him apart from other teen idols.

According to Biography.com, Nelson "created boisterous, rockabilly-flavored rock and roll as well as gentler ballads." Prominent songwriters also provided him with some of his most popular songs, such as Gene Pitney's "Hello, Mary Lou." He topped the charts in 1958 with "Poor Little Fool" and in 1961 with "Travelin' Man." Nevertheless, like a lot of teen artists, his career fizzled in the mid-60s. Yet, the television series continued.

The cast of the family sitcom expanded, though, when Ricky married Kristin Harmon on April 20, 1963. The show would finally end in 1966. Ricky and Kristin would have four children together actress Tracy Nelson, twins Matthew and Gunnar who had hits of their own in the early 1990s, and Sam. They divorced in 1981, partly due to Kristin's issues with alcohol.

He eventually shed his boy-next-door image and formed the Stone Canyon Band, a country rock band. His last big hit was 1972s "Garden Party." The song illustrated his frustration with fans at The Rock Revival at Madison Square Garden in 1971. He did not realize that he was expected to dress in clothes that were in fashion at the height of his career and fans booed him.

Nelson tragically died in a plane crash along with his fiance Helen Blair and his band members on December 31, 1985 at 45 years old. He was buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery in the Hollywood Hills not too far from where his parents are interred. Two years later, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Ironically, Ricky Nelson became a singer to impress his girlfriend who said she loved Elvis. Then, he became one of the most popular teen idols of the time. He is still ranked as one of the greatest teen idols of all time.

Sources:

http://www.biogra phy.com
http://www.imdb.com
http ://www.rockhall.com/inductee/r icky-nelson

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