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Photo of Ricky Nelson

Photo: Decca Records / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)

Ricky Nelson

American singer

May 8, 1940 – December 31, 1985 · Teaneck, New Jersey, United States

  • New Jersey
  • singer
  • actor
  • songwriter

Ricky Nelson was credited as a singer, actor and songwriter. Ricky Nelson was born in Teaneck, New Jersey, United States on May 8, 1940. Death is recorded on December 31, 1985, at the age of 45. Schooling on record includes Hollywood High School. Awards on record include star on Hollywood Walk of Fame, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1987) and New Jersey Hall of Fame (2019).

My Take

Ricky Nelson is one of those rare figures who pulled off two careers at once and somehow made both look effortless. Growing up on camera as a kid in The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet gave him a built-in audience, and in 1957 he just turned around and used it to launch a genuine rock and roll career — hits like "Hello Mary Lou" and "Travelin' Man" weren't novelty pop, they were the real deal. What I respect most is that he kept evolving; by the late 1960s he'd pivoted hard into country rock with the Stone Canyon Band, years ahead of the trend. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame came calling in 1987, two years after he died on the last day of 1985 — a gut-punch of timing. A New Jersey kid who grew up under Hollywood lights and never stopped making music on his own terms.

This take was written by generative AI, one per person, from publicly reported facts (editorial policy). It is a reading of the record, not reporting.

1. Profile

Name (English)
Ricky Nelson
Name (Japanese)
リッキー・ネルソン
Reading
りっきー・ねるそん
Born
May 8, 1940 – December 31, 1985
Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
Taurus / Dragon
Origin
Teaneck, New Jersey, United States
Occupation
singer / actor / songwriter / guitarist / singer-songwriter

2. Background

High school
Hollywood High School

Awards & achievements

  • star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
  • 1987 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
  • 2019 New Jersey Hall of Fame

4. About this entry

Tags

  • New Jersey
  • singer
  • actor
  • songwriter
Last updated
2026-06-02

Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.

Frequently asked questions

When was Ricky Nelson born?

Born May 8, 1940.

When did Ricky Nelson die?

Died December 31, 1985, aged 45.

Where was Ricky Nelson from?

Ricky Nelson was from Teaneck, New Jersey, United States.

What did Ricky Nelson do?

Ricky Nelson worked as singer, actor, songwriter, guitarist, singer-songwriter.

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