Ricky Nelson was an American singer, musician, and actor from the 1950s to the mid-1980s. He was born and raised in Teaneck, New Jersey on May 8, 1940. He began his career as a child actor on the television series The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, along with his real-life family. In 1957, he began a successful music career, beginning with the release of his first single, “I’m Walkin'”. His second single, “Poor Little Fool”, was released in 1958 and became a number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Throughout his career, he released over 60 singles, 10 studio albums, and appeared in several films. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. He died in a plane crash in 1985.
| Name | Ricky Nelson |
| Born | May 8, 1940 |
| Genres | Rock and roll, country, rhythm and blues, pop |
| Occupations | Singer, songwriter, actor, musician, teen idol |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards |
| Labels | Imperial, Decca, Verve, Capitol, Epic, Curb |
| Years Active | 1949–1985 |
10 Best Ricky Nelson Quotes
“I don’t think I ever had a plan. I just wanted to have a good time.”
– Ricky Nelson, from AllMusic
“I’m very proud of my parents. I think I got a lot of my talent from them.”
– Ricky Nelson, from AllMusic
“I’m a very fortunate guy. I had a very good education.”
– Ricky Nelson, from AllMusic
“I don’t want to be stereotyped as a teen idol.”
– Ricky Nelson, from NME
“I have to be careful about what I do and not do. I’m my own boss, and I’m the only one who can fire me.”
– Ricky Nelson, from AllMusic
“I always felt that music was a personal thing.”
– Ricky Nelson, from AllMusic
“I think every artist should be able to express themselves.”
– Ricky Nelson, from AllMusic
“I always felt that the audience was my friend.”
– Ricky Nelson, from AllMusic
“I’m a very lucky guy; I get to do what I love.”
– Ricky Nelson, from AllMusic
“I’m the luckiest guy in the world. I get to do what I love and get paid for it.”
– Ricky Nelson, from Billboard
5 Inspirational Ricky Nelson Quotes
“Life isn’t that way. It’s a challenge. I say, if you accept it and strive for the best that you can do, it’s the greatest game in the world.”
– Ricky Nelson, from rickynelson.com
“I think everybody should be given a chance, and I feel that you should be allowed to make your own mistakes and learn from them.”
– Ricky Nelson, from Rolling Stone
“I’ve always believed in doing the best I can, and if it’s not good enough, then that’s the way it goes.”
– Ricky Nelson, from Country Standard Time
“I think you should always strive for the best, and don’t worry about the critics. If you never take a chance, you don’t get anywhere.”
– Ricky Nelson, from CBS News
“Just keep at it. Don’t get discouraged. If you keep trying, eventually you will get it.”
– Ricky Nelson, from NME
8 Famous Ricky Nelson Quotes
“I always wanted to be an entertainer. I wanted to be like my father.”
– Ricky Nelson, from YouTube
“Since I was a child, I’ve had a natural instinct for music.”
– Ricky Nelson, from YouTube
“I’m not a great singer, I’m a great entertainer.”
– Ricky Nelson, from YouTube
“Rock and roll is a style of music, and it’s here to stay.”
– Ricky Nelson, from YouTube
“I never had any formal music training.”
– Ricky Nelson, from YouTube
“I just wanted to be an entertainer and make people happy.”
– Ricky Nelson, from YouTube
“I’m not trying to be a star, I’m just trying to be a good entertainer.”
– Ricky Nelson, from YouTube
“My music has evolved as I’ve evolved.”
– Ricky Nelson, from YouTube
6 Ricky Nelson Quotes About Love
“Love is the most beautiful thing in the world you can have.”
– Ricky Nelson, from Youtube
“I think love is something that has to be felt in the heart.”
– Ricky Nelson, from rickynelson.com
“I think love is something that has to be felt in the heart.”
– Ricky Nelson, from rickynelson.com
“Love is a feeling that warms you and makes you feel wanted and alive.”
– Ricky Nelson, from Youtube
“Love means never having to say you’re sorry.”
– Ricky Nelson, from Songfacts.com
“Love is the greatest emotion ever.”
– Ricky Nelson, from Youtube
8 Ricky Nelson Quotes About Life
“I think that’s the best thing about life—you just never know what’s going to happen.”
– Ricky Nelson, from Rockabilly Hall of Fame
“I think every person has to go through their own life and make their own mistakes, and I don’t think there are any rules to follow.”
– Ricky Nelson, from Rockabilly Hall of Fame
“You have to take life as it comes and make the best of it.”
– Ricky Nelson, from Rockabilly Hall of Fame
“That’s what life is all about—you have to take the good with the bad.”
– Ricky Nelson, from Rockabilly Hall of Fame
“Life is a series of ups and downs, and you just have to keep going.”
– Ricky Nelson, from Rockabilly Hall of Fame
“You have to learn to be a realist in life.”
– Ricky Nelson, from Rockabilly Hall of Fame
“You have to learn to accept the bad things that come along with the good.”
– Ricky Nelson, from Rockabilly Hall of Fame
“I think that’s what life is all about—learning to cope with the bad and appreciate the good.”
– Ricky Nelson, from American Legends
6 Quotes About Ricky Nelson
“Ricky Nelson was an incredible artist and a huge influence on me.”
– Willie Nelson, from Rolling Stone
“He was a great artist, and he had a great work ethic.”
– Billy Burnette, from The Morning Call
“Ricky Nelson was an icon of early rock and roll, an important influence on a generation of singer-songwriters.”
– Bruce Eder, from AllMusic
“Ricky Nelson was so cool. He carried the flag for rock ‘n’ roll in the 1950s.”
– Steven Van Zandt, from CNN
“Ricky Nelson was an incredible singer, and he was one of the first to combine country and rock and roll.”
– Dave Grohl, from AOL
“Ricky Nelson was a great singer and performer. He was a true original.”
– Kris Kristofferson, from Ultimate Classic Rock
Interview with Ricky Nelson
Frequently Asked Questions About Ricky Nelson
1. What is the most Famous Ricky Nelson Quote?
Ricky Nelson was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and musician who had a successful career in music and film. He was widely known for his songs, such as “Hello Mary Lou” and “Travelin’ Man”. He was also a popular actor, appearing on the television sitcom The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. Throughout his career, Nelson was known for making wise and profound statements. Here are some of the most famous Ricky Nelson quotes:
- “You can’t please everyone so you got to please yourself.”
- “Dreams are like stars… you may never touch them, but if you follow them they will lead you to your destiny.”
- “Sometimes you wonder what you’re living for, but it’s something you can’t ignore.”
- “People who fly into a rage always make a bad landing.”
- “A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality.”
2. What albums did Ricky Nelson release?
Ricky Nelson released a total of 14 studio albums and numerous other albums, singles and compilations throughout his musical career. Below is a list of his major albums:
- Ricky (1957)
- Ricky Nelson (1958)
- Ricky Sings Again (1959)
- More Songs by Ricky (1959)
- Ricky Nelson Sings (1960)
- Ricky Nelson Rocks (1961)
- Ricky Nelson Sings for You (1961)
- It’s Up To You (1962)
- Ricky Nelson/And Then There’s Ricky (1962)
- For Your Sweet Love (1962)
- Stay Young (1963)
- Bright Lights and Country Music (1964)
- In Concert (1965)
- The American Dream (1966)
In addition to his studio albums, Nelson also released several singles and compilations, including “Lonesome Town” (1958), “Travelin’ Man” (1961), and “Garden Party” (1972).
3. Who wrote the song “Lonesome Town”, made famous by Ricky Nelson?
The song “Lonesome Town” was written by Baker Knight, and first released by Ricky Nelson in 1958. The song was a hit, reaching number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It was later covered by several other artists, including The Ventures and The Hollies.
Notable Covers of “Lonesome Town”
- The Ventures
- The Hollies
- The Mamas and The Papas
- Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band
- The Beach Boys
- The Four Seasons
- The Smithereens
- The Cramps
- The Beatles
- The Stray Cats
4. How many children did Ricky Nelson have?
Ricky Nelson had four children: Tracy, Gunnar, Matthew, and Sam.
- Tracy Nelson, born October 25, 1963
- Gunnar Nelson, born September 20, 1967
- Matthew Nelson, born October 6, 1969
- Sam Nelson, born October 2, 1974
Ricky was a devoted father and was very proud of his children, who went on to have successful music careers of their own. He often talked about them in interviews, and in one of his final interviews he said, “They have such great talent and I’m so proud of them.”
5. What awards did Ricky Nelson receive for his music?
Ricky Nelson was a highly successful singer and songwriter who received numerous awards in recognition of his work. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and posthumously inducted into the Hit Parade Hall of Fame in 2009. Here are some of the awards he received for his music:
- Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 2009 for “Travelin’ Man” and “Garden Party”
- NARAS Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998
- Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award in 1998
- Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960
- American Music Awards’ Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist in 1976
- American Music Awards’ Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist in 1982
Conclusion
Ricky Nelson was a multifaceted artist whose work has inspired generations of fans and aspiring musicians. His songs, movies, and television appearances have all left a lasting impression on fans and continue to inspire people to this day. His timeless music and endearing personality will always be remembered and cherished by music fans everywhere.
