Ricky Nelson was cherished by his fans for many years as a teenage pop sensation and was among the most frequently televised musicians of his time.
While many are aware of the enigmatic circumstances surrounding his death, few know how a last-minute decision saved the lives of his two young sons.
Ricky Nelson, born Eric Hilliard Nelson in Teaneck, New Jersey, on May 8, 1940, was the son of Ozzie Nelson and Harriet Hilliard Nelson, who were famous for their beloved sitcom: “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet.”
As a child, Ricky was small and shy, battling severe asthma that often required him to use a vaporizer with evergreen tincture to help him sleep at night. John Guedel, the producer for Red Skelton, described him as “an odd little kid” — endearing, thoughtful, mysterious, and difficult to read. When Skelton was drafted in 1944, Guedel developed the radio sitcom The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet for Ricky’s parents, which debuted on Sunday, October 8, 1944, to favorable reviews.
The Nelson’s sitcom enjoyed a remarkable run of sixteen years, setting a record in sitcom history. Ricky and his older brother, David, became part of the show’s cast when they were around 8 and 10 years old, respectively.
During this period, Ricky attended Gardner Street Public School and later Hollywood High School. He had a tendency to dislike formal education, which created tension with his father, who hoped Ricky would pursue a college education.
By the time he was nearing the age for college, he was already earning more than most established adults. His income was approximately $100,000 a year, which exempted him from the necessity of a college degree.
At 17, Ricky featured in the episode “Ricky, the Drummer” of his family’s show. A song he performed in that episode was recorded and released as his debut single–”I’m Walking.” It swiftly climbed to number 4 on Billboard’s Best Sellers list.
