Ricky Nelson Overview
The Ricky Nelson greatest hit’s is a review of his career as a singer. He was born Eric Hilliard Nelson on May 8, 1940, in Teaneck, New Jersey. He was an American actor, musician, and singer-songwriter who starred in the television series “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet” (1952-1966). He also co-starred in the film “Rio Bravo” in 1959, with John Wayne and Dean Martin. In 1960, he starred with Jack Lemon in the film “The Wackiest Ship In The Army”. He also starred with Jack Kelly in “Love and Kisses” in 1965. Rick Nelson died in an airplane crash on December 31, 1985, in DeKalb, Texas at the age of 45.
Singing Career Start
Ricky Nelson began his entertainment career in 1949 playing himself in the radio sitcom series, “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet”. In 1952, he appeared in his first feature film, “Here Come the Nelsons”.
While growing up, 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, as he enjoyed playing tennis. 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”.
Recording Career
In early summer 1957, Ozzie Nelson pulled his son from Verve after disputes about royalties over “I’m Walking” and “A Teenager’s Romance” and signed him to a lucrative five-year deal with Imperial records that gave him approval over song selection, sleeve artwork, and other production details.
Nelson debut recording single was “I’m Walking” released in 1957 and peaked at #4 on Billboard’s pop chart, making this his first top ten hit record. This was a remake of Fats Domino hit of the same title which also was released in 1957, and also peaked at #4 on Billboard. He followed that hit with “A Teenager’s Romance” which was on the flip side of “I’m Walking” and went to #2 on Billboard. His next top ten hit was “Be-Bop Baby” peaking at #3 and “Stood Up” peaking at #2, all in 1957. His first recording on the Imperial label was “Be-Bop Baby” which sold over 1 million
records.
In 1961, his recording of “Travelin’ Man” was his second and last number one hit. His last top ten hit was “Garden Party” released in 1972, and went on to #6 on Billboard’s pop chart. Nelson’s last charted record is “Palace Guard” in 1973, reached #65 on the chart.
Ricky’s Biggest Hit
In 1958, Nelson recorded “Poor Little Fool” a song written by seventeen year old Sharon Sheeley and wanted Ricky to record it. In August, he recorded “Poor Little Fool” and became his first number one hit and sold over two million copies and stayed at number 1 for two weeks. This song also has the distinction of being the first number one song on the new Hot 100 Chart by Billboard. Ricky did not like this song and refused to sing it on the television show. Other singers have recorded this song but his version remians the most popular.
Musical Career
All told, Ricky Nelson had 2 #1 hits, 19 top 10 hits, 27 top 20 hits, 35 top 40 hits and three top ten albums. He charted a total of 63 songs on Billboard’s pop chart, with ten of them on the Bubbling Under chart. Nelson was voted into the R&R Hall of Fame in 1987. Ricky has two #1 hits on the Adult Contemporary chart “For You” #1 for two weeks, and “Garden Party” number one for 2 weeks.
Billboard ranks Ricky Nelson as the #7 artist of the 50’s, #25 artist of the sixties, and #22 artist of all time from 1955-2010.
On the Adult Contemporary chart, Rick Nelson had 2 #1’s 4 Top 10, 7 Top 20, and 10 Top 40 hits. He is ranked as the #200 artist of all-time from 1961-2001.
When Ricky Nelson reached his 21st birthday, in 1961, he officially changed his recording name to “Rick Nelson”. He also had ten hit records on the County charts with his last being “Dream Lover” in 1979 peaked at #59.
Ricky Nelson’s #1 and Top Ten Hits
Below is a complete list of Ricky Nelson’s top ten songs in chronological order with his number one songs in bold, debut date for non #1’s, and peak date for #1’s. Weeks at #1, #2, & #3 are in () for all charts.
Pop Chart/Hot 100 Chart
- I’m Walking – May 6, 1957 #4
- A Teenager’s Romance – May 13, 1957 #2 (1)
- Be-Bob Baby – October 7, 1957 #3 (1)
- Stood Up – December 30, 1957 #2 (3)
- Believe What You Say – April 7, 1958 #4
- Poor Little Fool – July 7, 1958 #1 (2)
- I Got A Feeling – October 13, 1958 #10
- Lonesome Town – October 20, 1958 #7
- Never Be Anyone Else But You – February 23, 1959 #6
- It’s Late – March 2, 1959 #9
- Just A Little Too Much – June 29, 1959 #9
- Sweeter Than You – July 6, 1959 #9
- Travelin’ Man – April 24, 1961 #1 (2)
- Hello May Lou – May 1, 1961 #9
- Young World – March 3, 1962 #5
- Teen Age Idol – August 11, 1962 #5
- It’s Up To You – December 15, 1962 #6
- For You – December 28, 1963 #6
- Garden Party – July 29, 1972 #6
Adult Contemporary Chart
- Teen Age Idol – August 18, 1962 #2 (1)
- It’s Up To You – December 15, 1962 #4
- For You – February 8, 1964 #1 (2)
- Garden Party – October 14, 1972 #1 (2)
Country & Western Chart
- Stood Up – January 20, 1958 #8
- My Bucket’s Got A Hole In It – April 14, 1958 #10
- Believe What You Say – April 14, 1958 #10
- Poor Little Fool – July 7, 1958 #3 (1)
Note: Rick Nelson is ranked as the #48 artist from 1950-1959 on the Country & Western chart.
Greatest Hits Albums
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There are two albums that you can buy which contain all of his top ten hits and on MP3 Ricky Nelson – Greatest Hits 25 Tracks
His other album Rick Nelson – Greatest Hits 20 Tracks
Shop Ricky Nelson Greatest Hits
There are two albums that you can buy which contain all of his top ten hits and on MP3 Ricky Nelson – Greatest Hits 25 Tracks
His other album Rick Nelson – Greatest Hits 20 Tracks
Now, you can shop for individual Ricky Nelson Greatest Hits