Ricky Nelson, adored as a teen pop idol and one of the most televised musicians of his time, lived a life both charmed and tragic.
Born Eric Hilliard Nelson on May 8, 1940, in Teaneck, New Jersey, he was the son of Ozzie and Harriet Nelson, stars of The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. Shy and asthmatic as a child, Ricky grew up on the family’s long-running sitcom, which became a TV classic.
By his teens, Ricky was already a star. His 1957 single “I’m Walking” hit No. 4 on the Billboard charts, and hits like “Poor Little Fool,” “Travelin’ Man,” and “Garden Party” made him one of rock ’n’ roll’s first teen idols.
In 1963, he married Kristin Harmon, and they had four children: Tracy, Sam, and twins Matthew and Gunnar—who later followed in his musical footsteps.
Despite his success, Ricky disliked flying and often sought therapy to manage his fear. Just before a New Year’s Eve show in Dallas, he made a last-minute decision for his twin sons not to join him on his flight from Alabama—a choice that would save their lives.
Tragically, Ricky’s DC-3 caught fire mid-flight, killing him and the other passengers. The pilot managed an emergency landing in Texas, but the cause of the fire remains a mystery. While rumors circulated, his family believed a faulty gasoline heater was to blame.
Ricky’s sons later honored him through their own music, saying, “It’s an ongoing labor of love, an open letter to our dad, who was our best friend.”