British guitarist analyses Ricky Nelson's impact on a generation!

Tonight we're going all the way back to 1958 to take a look at Ricky Nelson!

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[Hallyboodle]

Hi, I really enjoy your reviews. Rick ("Ricky") Nelson was my father. Some things. My grandfather Ozzie was a bandleader, Harriet was his singer. So music, good music, was always in the house, my dad played drums and guitar and sang all the time, the whole family was musical. At 16 (he had been doing the show since he was about 8) Pop wanted to impress a girl that he was going to Hollywood High with. He asked my grandpa if he could do a song at the end of one of the episodes. Grandpa complied, he wrote the show and often stuck in my dad and uncle's interests. So Pop sang his own version of Fats Domino's "I'm Walkin" at the end of an episode called "Ricky The Drummer", zits and all, and it exploded. You have to understand that Ozzie and Harriet was the FIRST show of its kind (family sitcom), there were only 3 networks, TV was a pioneer medium and no one understood it's impact. It was the first time people saw and heard an artist play, previously it had only been radio. That is hard to imagine now, but rock n roll being played every week in American living rooms was hugely influential. Grandpa was smart enough to record the song that would be played that week and stock it in the stores before the show aired. So "I'm Walkin" sold 1 million copies in a week, which was absolutely unheard of then. Also, this was when radio stations in America wouldn't play what they called "Race Music" (rock n roll), and the network told my grandfather (who controlled the show and was the exec producer) that he couldn't play it on the show, the censors were having a fit. Grandpa said, tough, it's great music, and so every week afterward there was a "party scene" at the end of the show that showcased a new song. There was a lot of hate mail at first, because white America was easily scandalized, they actually addressed it in an episode. As you mentioned the great James Burton was my dad's guitar player, because he was so young when they shot the show he lived with my grandparents, dad and uncle, and would go out on weekends to work with Elvis. When my dad was inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame I got to make the speech, and I said that Pop's biggest contribution was that he managed to smuggle rock n roll into American homes when people just hadn't been exposed to it before. (So hard to imagine now!) He was a true troubadour, spreading the message. When he did "Travelin Man" on Ozzie and Harriet, Grandpa shot an accompanying "concept video" to accompany the song, and it was the first one ever in music history. Verve Records at the time didn't have to be coerced, they were desperate to sign Pop who was a huge star, and a rather reluctant one; fame had sort of snuck up on him when all he was originally doing was trying to impress a girl. Bear Family has a great box set of all the early recordings; it's great to hear my dad and grandfather talking between takes about what they are going to use, etc. My dad is frequently lumped in with the "pretty boys" who were trying to model Elvis' success, guys like Fabian. But Pop was a real artist with a beautiful, smooth tone and great musicianship, and he was always supported by great players like Burton, who forced him to become better "on the job". Personally I love the stuff he wrote himself during the "California sound" days, with the Stone Canyon Band. Guys like Paul McCartney, Freddie Mercury, and Bob Dylan (who was a friend) cite Pop's influence on them early in their careers, I think it's really cool about Paul (and George Harrison who was our neighbor here in LA) because they didn't have the tvshow in Britain, it was just about the music. Paul actually re-recorded "Lonesome Town" later on. BTW the song in the video you showed "Cindy" was from a movie that my dad did with John Wayne and Dean Martin called "Rio Bravo", it's an old Western song. Sticking it in an episode is just another example of my grandpa's "advertising" skill. I want to thank you for mentioning the names of all of the people who died on the plane. It had been Jerry Lee Lewis' old plane and had a faulty butane heater that had previously been problematic, one time it started smoking on the runway and the band missed playing "Farm Aid". On New Years Eve the heater caught fire mid air, the pilot landed the plane in a field, it did not crash. Pilot and co pilot escaped (with terrible injury) out the front but no one else could get out. My father was found on top of his fiancee Helen, arms out as if protecting her. I miss him every day. Thank you for your respectful review, all of the great research you always do, and your clear love for the music you showcase. Cheers! Tracy

[windaddyflex]

It never ceases to amaze me every time you feature a vintage artist and you always have a genuine smile of appreciation on your face. And as always, your commentary is great, keep it up Fil!

[adrianhollow]

Rick Nelson is grossly underrated with regard to his impact on the acceptability of rock and the development of such genres as southern rock. I saw him live not too long before his death, and I was fascinated by both his stage presence and his humility. One of my favorites. Thanks for featuring him.

[candicescott]

You're in serious danger of becoming a leading expert on modern music of the last 60-70 years! I already have learn a lot of insight & details on music of my own lifetime from your channel.

[froter]

Loved Ricky !
My friend Randy Meisner ( later with The Eagles ) played bass for Ricky and sang high harmonies, and ended up buying Ricky’s house in LA .
We backed up Bruce Channel back in the early 70’s, and one night, while playing with Bruce, we were finishing off a set while Bruce was off stage ( we were the house band at the time ), I was singing “Traveling Man” ... after the song, we took a break and this guy asked me to sit at his table and offered to buy me a drink . I told him we get drinks free. He said ok, have a seat . We talked a while, then I found out he’s written most of Ricky’s songs ( including Traveling Man ) . He was Jerry Fuller, a Fort Worth writer and singer . We are friends to this day . Check out his songs when you get a chance . He also discovered and wrote songs for Gary Puckett and the Union Gap and wrote most of their hits . An excellent composer !!!
We went to see Ricky many times in the 70’s and Ricky was always so nice and a real professional! I was scheduled to meet him again in Dallas when he died on the plane ... sad day indeed ... very sad

[dos-fslady]

Dear Tracy, I cannot thank you enough for taking the time to share some more background about your creative and multi-talented family, and your rich history in groundbreaking TV and music. My family has no musical talent, but we were (and are) colorful and creative in a wide variety of ways. I feel sorry for the people who don't have crazy stories to share about their ancestors, or who lack respect for the accomplishments of those who came before them. Again, thank you for your warm generosity in sharing your story. With gratitude from Albuquerque, Lynn

[bcaye]

I love how your smile lights up your face when you listen to or talk about music.

[pamflowers]

Everyone is dressed so neatly and they look so happy. I miss those days and Ricky Nelson.

[BB.halo_heir]

Fil, i love when you always say, "lets see how he gets on", at the beginning of every analysis 😊❤ great video. ...take care 😍

[ruthiemay]

Ricky was my first crush. ❤ In 1958 I was 9 years old. And 3 older sisters.
There were 3 TV channels available: CBS, ABC and NBC. We got our television in 1951.

[axiomist]

Ricky outranked Elvis while Elvis was in the army . Only Elvis could outrank Ricky. Nobody else. Im a bigger fan of Rick than Elvis. That note from Tracy was great to read.

[sue]

Ozzie Nelson got his degree from Rutgers U in NJ and went to Rutgers law school. He was also had a popular Big band and Harriet was his singer before being his wife. Ozzie was one of the few performers that was as business savvy or more so than most entertainment business men

[blizzy]

Ricky sings this song with Dean Martin in the movie Rio Bravo (1959).

[dalem]

Saw Rick Nelson live in 1978. Doing some old and new material. Great show vocally and musically. Well received here in Canada, getting a standing ovation and came back for an encore. We do things right here in Canada. Its called respect and appreciation for musical artistry. One of the sweetest moments for me in Rick Nelsons career was after the awful experience he had a Madison Square Gardens getting booed when he did songs other than his old hits. He went home and wrote Garden Party which became a huge top ten hit. Reaching #6 in the US and # 3 here in Canada. Earned him a gold single. Turning a bad experience in to a huge positive and getting the last laugh. Great Review of a musical icon from the early days of Rock N Roll! Thanks!😎🎼🎵🎶

[gingeoram]

Thanks for doing the Ricky Nelson analysis. I admire you for having an interest in and an understanding of the previous decades of music and culture. Well done, Fil.

[vmat]

I don't recall this tune but Travelin' Man and Hello Mary Lou were singles i dang near cut my teeth on. Born in '57.

[rofran]

I saw his twin sons perform in Downey, Ca. They were so nice and appreciative. They had home film clips they shared with the audience. After the show they meet the fans signed autographs, answered questions. What a proud tribute they did for their dad but also they were funny & sang pretty good. I was touched and impressed with them.

[tileslasher]

I really love your channel man. I watched this awhile back, just watched it again. I really thought Ricky was such a great guy. That plane crash just like Jim Croce, John Denver, the big bopper, Buddy Holly, and countless others you are right we've lost generations of just pure awesomeness. I really appriceate this channel a lot.

[barbaradownie]

INNOCENCE MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD 💖

[harryhlamb]

Great review Fil. Graduating in 1960 I loved this type of music and still do. We folks born in the early 40s hat the best music, best cars, and life was uncomplicated.
Love your reviews, thank you, a fan from Iowa 🇺🇸🇺🇸