RICK NELSON: MORE THAN A TEEN IDOL by Alan L. Chrisman

Rick Nelson was more than a Teen Idol. But he started out as “Ricky” Nelson, part of the very popular all-American Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet Nelson family TV show in the 50’ and 60’s, where he would end the show singing his latest hit, with his eyes closed, as the girls swooned. And only Elvis and Pat Boone were to have more hits from 1957-’62. He spent most the rest of his career though trying to get past that public image and be taken seriously as a musician.

But like Elvis, he also had the ability to pick the best songwriters and musicians to record. He was influenced by Carl Perkins and rockabilly. His first big hit, “Poor Little Fool”, in 1958 was written by Eddie Cochran’s 17 year-old girlfriend. In fact, he gave the first big breaks to many composers when he had big hits with their songs: “Lonesome Town” and “Never Be Anyone But You” (Baker Knight); “Traveling Man” and 23 other songs for Nelson (Jerry Fuller); “It’s Late” ( rockabilly duo, Dorsey and Johnny Burnette, who before had had a hit with “Sweet Sixteen”, but camped out at his doorstep until he recorded their songs) and Gene Pitney’s “Hello Mary-Lou”. Jerry Fuller is especially interesting because he would go on to write many hits and even produce several other groups. He had originally been part of The Champs (“Tequila”), when their members included Glen Campbell, and Jimmy Seals and Dash Crofts (later Seals and Crofts with the “Diamond Girl” and “Summer Breeze” hits in the 70’s). Fuller produced The Knickerbockers and their hit “Lies”. He also discovered Gary Puckett and The Union Gap and wrote and produced their big hits” Young Girl”, “Lady Willpower” and “ Over You” and “ Little Green Apples” for O.C. Smith.

And Rick Nelson always had the best musicians in his bands, such as guitarist, James Burton, who was 18 when Nelson met him and lived with the Nelsons for two years. Of course, Burton would go on to become a legendary guitarist and play Elvis’ Vegas years and with every big name from Emmylou Harris to Elvis Costello. Burton played on Buffalo Springfield’s 2nd album and became part of Emmylou Harris’ Hot Band with Rodney Crowell after Gram Parsons died. He then

toured with John Denver and played with Elvis Costello from the King of America album on. And was in Roy Orbison and Friends: Black and White Night TV special in ’88. Basically James Burton played with anybody who was anybody and is considered one of the best guitarists. Nelson also used Presley’s vocal group, The Jordanaires on his recordings (but Presley didn’t want anybody to know).

For It was Rick Nelson who first recognized the above talents and gave them their first chances, which led to them all having many more song writing hits and involvement with several well-known musicians.

Also Nelson was one of the first California musicians to move toward country-rock before Linda Ronstadt and The Eagles, some of whose later members were in his Stone Canyon Band. He had a later hit with a re-make of Dylan’s “She Belongs to Me” in 1970.

But Nelson was still trying to get past his old “Ricky” Nelson pop image when, ironically, he had one of his biggest hits, “Garden Party”. He was performing at an oldies Madison Square Garden show when fans booed him off the stage for trying to play some more contemporary songs. In disgust, (but with a sense of humour) he wrote down these frustrated lyrics. They sum everything he’d been through:

GARDEN PARTY 

I went to a garden party to reminisce with my old friendsA chance to share old memories and play our songs againWhen I got to the garden party, they all knew my nameNo one recognized me, I didn't look the same

But it's all right now, I learned my lesson wellYou see, ya can't please everyone, so ya got to please yourself

And people came from miles around, everyone was thereYoko brought her walrus, there was magic in the airAn' over in the corner, much to my surpriseMr. Hughes hid in Dylan's shoes wearing his disguise

But it's all right now, I learned my lesson wellYou see, ya can't please everyone, so ya got to please yourself

Played them all the old songs, thought that's why they cameNo one heard the music, we didn't look the sameI said, hello to "Mary Lou", she belongs to meWhen I sang a song about a honky-tonk, it was time to leave

But it's all right now, I learned my lesson wellYou see, ya can't please everyone, so ya got to please yourself

Someone opened up a closet door and out stepped Johnny B. GoodePlaying guitar like a-ringin' a bell and lookin' like he shouldIf you gotta play at garden parties, I wish you a lotta luckBut if memories were all I sang, I rather drive a truck

But it's all right now, I learned my lesson wellYou see, ya can't please everyone, so ya got to please yourself

An' it's all right now, yeah, learned my lesson wellYou see, ya can't please everyone, so you got to please yourself

SongwritersNELSON, RICKY

Published byLyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Some lines are especially interesting:  

“Yoko brought her Walrus” (John Lennon and Yoko Ono were there)

“Mr.Hughes hid in Dylan’s shoes wearing his disguise” ( George Harrison was originally going to record a Dylan cover album and Harrison was Nelson’s next door neighbor in California and friend, and was also supposedly there incognito.)

And of course:

“If you gotta play at garden parties, I wish you a lotta luckBut if memories were all I sang, I rather drive a truck

But it's all right now, I learned my lesson wellYou see, ya can't please everyone, so ya got to please yourself”

Ironically, it became a big hit in 1972, reaching #6 on the Billboard charts.

Rick Nelson and his band came to Ottawa in the early 80’s playing a little out of the way bar, and I didn’t make it, something for which I’ve kicked myself ever since.

The “Travelin’ Man”, was still on the road in 1985, when his plane crashed in Texas, killing him and his fiancé. Some at the time said it might have been a fire caused by free –basing cocaine, but the plane had a history of mechanical problems and it was later ruled because of a faulty heater. But Rick Nelson had some great songs and helped some great songwriters and musicians get exposure and he was more than a pop idol.

See “Ricky” Nelson doing “ Hello Mary Lou”, 1961

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0janfcZ8LUw

See Rick Nelson doing’ Garden Party”, 1985:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxdiraVxwkI