Remembering Ricky Nelson May 8, 1940 - December 31, 1985

The Words of Rick Nelson

Did you ever wanna go
Where you've never been before?
Did you ever wanna know
Things you've never known before?

I'll take you there with me
And maybe then you'll see
It's easy to be free.

Did you ever wanna fly
Over rainbow skies so high?
Did you ever wonder why
People tell you not to try?

I'll take you there with me
And maybe then you'll see
It's easy to be free.

I stood and waited where the river runs
It felt so good to feel the morning sun
And after all
is said and done
I'm free.

Did you ever wanna go
Where you've never been before?
Did you ever wanna know
Things you've never known before?

I'll take you there with me
And maybe then you'll see
It's easy to be free
It's so easy
To be free.

These words penned by Rick Nelson appeared on Rick's funeral program following his death on December 31, 1985 following a plane crash that ended the lives of seven people including Ricky.

Eric Hilliard "Ricky" Nelson was born into a show business family and performed for the majority of his life as both an actor and musician.

His father, Ozzie Nelson was America's first Eagle Scout and quit practicing law to perform in his own band.  His mom, Harriet Hillard was a singer and screen star and Ozzie and Harriet were married in 1935.  The couple had two sons, young Ricky and his older brother, David.    Ozzie and Harriet performed on a radio sitcom called "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" and in 1949, the two sons joined them until the program was transferred from radio to television in 1952 that became a popular television program as well as a full length feature, "Here Come the Nelsons."

Rick also took a liking to music and made his first recording while attending Hollywood High School.  He talked his dad into letting him record the song "I'm Walking" for an episode of the television show.  The song became an instant hit as well as the flip side of the record "A Teenager's Romance" that rose to #2 on the charts.  His music career continued to flourish when he signed with Imperial Records and recorded the #1 hit song in August of 1958 titled "Poor Little Fool."  In addition to his music and young television career, he also decided to try his talents as a movie actor.  He appeared in the western classic "Rio Bravo" with John Wayne, Dean Martin and Walter Brennan and "The Wackiest Ship in the Army" with Jack Lemmon.  He also had a role in "Love and Kisses" featuring Jack Kelly.  On Ricky's 21st birthday, he changed his name from Ricky to Rick.  The name Ricky stayed with him during his lifetime because of his popularity on the popular television show.

He began to change his music genre to country music and soon became a pioneer of the country-rock sound.  His career remained somewhat stagnant until he recorded "She Belongs to Me" written by Bob Dylan and included members of the Stone Canyon Band.  He also recorded "Travelin Man."  His final hit was "Garden Party" that reached #6 on the charts.

On Rick's personal side, he was a talented athlete and played football in high school.  He was also a brown belt in karate.  In 1961, Nelson began dating "Kris" Harmon, daughter of football legend Tom Harmon and sister to actor and former college football player, Mark Harmon.  Eventually they married and had four children that all became successful actors and musicians. In 1975, their marriage ended in divorce.

Unfortunately, Rick became a regular user of marijuana that led him to stronger drugs and became dependent upon them during his adult life.

Rick Nelson's funeral card

On December 30, 1985, Rick and his band played in Guntersville, Alabama.  The following day they were scheduled to perform at the Park Suite Hotel in Dallas, Texas for a New Years Eve show.  They boarded the plane that was a 40 year old DC-3 and crash landed at 5:15pm in a hayfield 135 miles east of Dallas.  Killed were Rick, his fiancé, Helen Blair, four band members and a member of his road crew.

More than 1000 people attended his funeral on January 6, 1986 (funeral program pictured) at Forest Lawn Memorial Park-Hollywood Hills that only seated 275 people.  (Rick's remains were not present because of delay in transportin
g him back to California.)  Among those who paid tribute to him were his daughter Tracy who said "I remember his grace, his gentleness.  He was the kindest man you ever met.  The man had class.  He was an artist.  He was wise. And he loved ice cream.  Pop wouldn't want you to be sad."  Comments were also made by his brother, David. His sons performed "Easy to Be Free."  A message of condolence was read by President and Mrs. Ronald Reagan.  Those attending the service included Col. Tom Parker of Elvis Presley fame, Angie Dickinson and Connie Stevens.

He was laid to rest in Forest Lawn Memorial Park-Hollywood Hills.