Ricky Nelson, a beloved teen pop star of his era, captivated audiences with his performances and became one of the most frequently televised artists of his time. Though his untimely death remains shrouded in mystery, lesser-known is the remarkable split-second choice he made, which ultimately saved the lives of his two young sons.
Born on May 8, 1940, in Teaneck, New Jersey, Eric Hilliard Nelson entered the world. His parents, Ozzie Nelson and Harriet Hilliard Nelson, achieved fame through the popular sitcom “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet.”
The Nelson family’s hit sitcom, “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet,” enjoyed a record-breaking 16-year run, during which Ricky and his older brother David joined the cast at ages 8 and 10. While attending Gardner Street Public School and later Hollywood High School, Ricky’s disdain for education caused tension with his father, who hoped he would attend college. However, Ricky’s burgeoning music career was already earning him an annual income of around $100,000, making college seem unnecessary. At 17, he made a guest appearance on his family’s show and debuted his single “I’m Walking,” which quickly climbed to number 4 on Billboard’s Best Sellers list. His success allowed him to frequently debut new music on his parents’ show, including hits like “Garden Party,” “It’s Late,” “Fools Rush In,” “For You,” “Poor Little Fool,” and “Traveling Man.”
In 1961, Ricky began dating Kristin Harmon, who also hailed from a Hollywood background, fostering a connection between their families. The Nelsons and Harmon’s family shared a close bond. The couple tied the knot in April 1963, and they were blessed with four children: Sam Hilliard Nelson, twins Matthew Gray and Gunnar Eric Nelson, and their daughter, actress Tracy Kristine Nelson.
Throughout the 1960s, Ricky’s popularity soared as he consistently released hit songs that found their place in the Top 40 charts. His music, which aligned with the expanding rock ‘n’ roll genre, earned him a dedicated following. Ricky embarked on numerous tours over the years, entertaining his fans with his beloved tunes.
Sadly, tragedy struck during one of these tours, and Ricky’s passing remains shrouded in mystery, leaving behind a legacy that continues to captivate audiences.
Despite his frequent need to travel by plane for promotions and tours, Ricky had an intense dislike for flying. In order to cope with his fear and ensure he could continue his career and connect with his fans, he reportedly sought psychotherapy sessions.
There was a planned trip for Ricky, along with his sons Matthew and Gunnar, to travel to Dallas for Ricky’s New Year’s performance. However, Gunnar revealed that their plans were altered when their father contacted them shortly before they were supposed to meet in Alabama to fly together to the Dallas show.
“We were supposed to be on the plane for 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,” Gunnar recalled.
Just a few days prior to their scheduled departure, Ricky had a troubling feeling or premonition that led him to make the difficult decision to inform his sons that they would not be flying together to Dallas.
Just days before the scheduled trip, there were reports circulating about engine issues concerning the flight Ricky was supposed to board. Despite the concerns, Ricky decided to proceed with the journey alone, without his two sons. Departing from Alabama on a DC-3 aircraft, tragedy struck as the plane approached its destination. Smoke began to fill the cabin, resulting in a devastating fire that claimed the lives of Ricky and all the other passengers on board. Miraculously, the pilot managed to safely land the aircraft in Texas.
Even after three decades, the cause of the plane fire remains a mystery. Various rumors emerged, including salacious allegations of Ricky engaging in cocaine use with his former lover Helen Blaine. Ricky’s brother, David, vehemently denies these claims, stating that Ricky never used cocaine.
Greg McDonald, Ricky’s manager, later confirmed that Ricky and Helen were both asleep in the cabin when the fire broke out, adding further complexity to the tragic event.
In a candid interview with Larry King, Tracy Nelson, Ricky’s daughter, expressed her belief that the tragedy was caused by a mechanical malfunction. Tracy disclosed that the aircraft, nicknamed the “Flying Bus” due to its slow speed, had a history of problems with its gasoline heater, which could have easily led to an unintended fire.
Three decades have passed, yet the exact source of the fire remains elusive. Nevertheless, it is evident that Ricky Nelson’s intuition and decision to change his travel plans helped prevent an even greater family tragedy.
Following their father’s untimely passing, Matthew and Gunnar, Ricky’s twin sons, embarked on their own successful music careers as a way to honor and remember their beloved dad. Matthew shared, “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 his life-saving revelation in the comments!