Ricky Nelson, born Eric Hilliard Nelson in 1940, rose to fame as a teen pop idol and star of the long-running sitcom The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, alongside his famous parents and brother David. Though he struggled with school, Ricky found success early, earning $100,000 a year by his late teens.
His musical career took off after debuting his first single “I’m Walking” on the show, leading to several hits like “Travelin’ Man” and “Garden Party.” In 1963, he married Kristin Harmon, and they had four children, including twins Matthew and Gunnar, who later became musicians themselves.
Ricky had a lifelong fear of flying but continued touring. In late 1985, he was scheduled to fly with his sons to a New Year’s Eve concert in…
