Ricky Nelson was adored for years as a teen pop idol and became one of the most televised musicians of his era.
While many know about the mysterious circumstances of his death, few realize how a last-minute decision saved the lives of his two young sons.
Ricky Nelson was born Eric Hilliard Nelson in Teaneck, New Jersey, on May 8, 1940. His parents, Ozzie and Harriet Nelson, were famous for their popular sitcom The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet.
Ricky was a small, shy child who struggled with severe asthma, often needing a vaporizer with evergreen tincture to help him sleep. John Guedel, Red Skelton’s producer, described him as “an odd little kid” — likable, introspective, mysterious, and hard to read. When Skelton was drafted in 1944, Guedel created The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet for Ricky’s parents, premiering on October 8, 1944, to positive reviews.
The Nelsons’ sitcom ran for sixteen years, a record in television history. Ricky and his older brother David joined the cast around ages 8 and 10.
During this time, Ricky attended Gardner Street Public School and later Hollywood High School. He often disliked school, which caused tension with his father, who hoped he would attend college.
By the time college age arrived, Ricky was already making roughly $100,000 a year — more than many adults — making further education unnecessary.
At 17, Ricky appeared in the episode “Ricky, the Drummer” of his family’s show. A song he performed, “I’m Walking,” became his first single and quickly reached number 4 on Billboard’s Best Sellers list. His popularity soared, allowing him to debut music on the show before releasing it publicly. Some of his hits included “Garden Party,” “It’s Late,” “Fools Rush In,” “For You,” “Poor Little Fool,” and “Travelin’ Man.”
Around 1961, Ricky began dating Kristin Harmon, who came from a similar Hollywood background and whose family were close friends of the Nelsons. The two married in April 1963 and had four children: Sam Hilliard Nelson, twins Matthew Gray Nelson and Gunnar Eric Nelson, and daughter Tracy Kristine Nelson.
Ricky’s fame continued throughout the ’60s, with Top 40 hits and rock ’n’ roll tours.
Tragically, it was during one of these tours that he met his untimely and mysterious death.
Ricky, who hated flying despite his tours, even attended psychotherapy to cope with the fear of planes. He and his sons, Matthew and Gunnar, were scheduled to fly to Dallas for a New Year’s show. Gunnar recalled:
“We were supposed to be on the plane on that trip. Our dad called us right before we were supposed to come down to Alabama and meet him and fly with him to the New Year’s show in Dallas.”
A few days before departure, a premonition led Ricky to call his sons and tell them they would not fly together.
The plane he boarded, a DC-3, reportedly had engine trouble days earlier. As the plane neared its destination, the cabin filled with smoke. Ricky and the other passengers died, but the pilot safely landed the plane in Texas.
The cause of the fire remains a mystery decades later. Rumors included cocaine use with his then-girlfriend Helen Blaine, which Ricky’s brother David denies. Manager Greg McDonald noted that Ricky and Helen were asleep when the fire started. Ricky’s daughter Tracy believes it was a mechanical issue — possibly the plane’s gasoline heater, nicknamed the “Flying Bus” for its slow speed.
While the fire’s origin is still unknown, Ricky Nelson’s premonition prevented an even greater family tragedy.
Matthew and Gunnar went on to have successful music careers, honoring their father. Matthew said:
“It’s an ongoing labor of love, an open letter to our dad, who was our best friend.”
Rest in peace, Ricky! Let us know what you think of this life-saving decision in the comments.
