No, it doesn't seem that long ago. I will be pilloried for this, but landed on CNN the other night while channel surfing and Larry King had Nelson's children on for the full hour reminiscing and showing old film clips. It was a real walk down memory lane. Rick Nelson was a class act.
He really gave meaning to the phrase "teenage heart throb".
I always liked his music and "Garden Party" has to be the number one revenge song of all time. That was great.
I live about 20 miles from Gunterville. Almost went to that concert and wish I had. When the news reports started coming in about the crash it was so sad. He spoke so much truth in "Garden Party". RIP
I had always heard it was some kind of a drug accident, I am glad to finally know that it was not. R.I.P.
Trivia: my older brother is also named Rick Nelson, but when my brother played drums on a couple albums by Chip Taylor
(Some of Us and Last Chance, WB records) he had to be billed
as Erik "Rick" Nelson to avoid confusion with Ozzie and
Harriet's son. Chip Taylor, born James Voight, is the brother of actor Jon Voight and is famed from writing "Wild Thing" and "Angel of the Morning".
Ironically enough, while my brother had to be billed as "Erik" Nelson, the more famous Rick Nelson actually had "Eric" for a first name...
"Eric Hilliard "Ricky" Nelson, alternately Rick Nelson (May 8, 1940 – December 31, 1985), was one of the first American teen idols."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Nelson
Loved his Rockabilly. Favorite oldie was "Poor Little Fool', but one of his best was a song he wrote called "Easy to be Free" ["Rick Nelson:Live at the Troubadour"]. Saw the Stone Canyon Band many times. R.I.P
That was overcome by Rick when he went to a "Garden Party". I was fortunate enough to see him live AFTER his Garden Party and appreciated his music.
I'll never forget the black shirt and white tie.
The music was explosively entertaining.
The Stone Canyon Band certainly didn't hinder his musical abilities.