Eric Hilliard "Ricky" or "Rick" Nelson (May 8, 1940 – December 31, 1985) was an American musician and actor. He began appearing with his family in the radio and television series "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" at age eight. In 1957, he started his career as a recording artist. Nelson also appeared in films, including a co-starring role with John Wayne, Dean Martin, Walter Brennan, and Angie Dickinson in Howard Hawks's western "Rio Bravo" (1959). Between 1957 and 1973, he placed 54 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 and its predecessors, including "Poor Little Fool" (1958), the first number one on Billboard's newly established Hot 100 chart. He recorded 17 additional top ten hits and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on January 21, 1987. In 1996, he was ranked number 49 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time. Nelson's entertainment career began in 1949, when he played himself in the radio version of "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet." He made his first feature film appearance in "Here Come the Nelsons" (1952). In 1957, he released his first single, "I'm Walkin'" b/w "A Teenager's Romance," and his debut album "Ricky" reached number one. His single "Poor Little Fool" became his first number one hit in 1958. Following "Rio Bravo," he received a Golden Globe nomination for Most Promising Male Newcomer in 1959. After the television series ended in 1966, Nelson made occasional guest appearances on television programs. During his twenties, Nelson shifted from pop music to a country rock style. After releasing several albums that largely failed commercially, he formed the Stone Canyon Band in 1969 and experienced renewed success with the live album "In Concert at the Troubadour, 1969." He also had a hit with "Garden Party" in 1972, which reached number six on the Billboard Hot 100. Subsequent releases received limited promotion, and his career faced challenges as his record label changed ownership. He continued performing and making television appearances through the 1970s, releasing two more albums with limited commercial impact before his death in a plane crash on December 31, 1985. Nelson was married to Sharon Kristin Harmon from 1963 until their divorce in 1982. They had four children: actress Tracy Nelson, twin sons Gunnar and Matthew, who are musicians, and actor Sam. Studio albums Ricky (1957) Ricky Nelson (1958) Ricky Sings Again (1959) Songs by Ricky (1959) More Songs by Ricky (1960) Rick Is 21 (1961) Album Seven by Rick (1962) For Your Sweet Love (1963) Rick Nelson Sings "For You" (1963) The Very Thought of You (1964) Spotlight on Rick (1964) Best Always (1965) Love and Kisses (1965) Bright Lights and Country Music (1966) Country Fever (1967) Another Side of Rick (1967) Perspective (1969) Rick Sings Nelson (1970) Rudy the Fifth (1971) Garden Party (1972) Windfall (1974) Intakes (1977) Playing to Win (1981) All My Best (1985) The Memphis Sessions (1986) <a href="https://www.last.fm/music/Ricky+Nelson">Read more on Last.fm</a>. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.