Ricky Nelson US Top 10 Hits 1957-1964

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His only top 10 hit after these was "Garden Party," which is an obvious outlier, so I've restricted this poll to his early rock'n'roll fare.

Poll Results

OptionVotes
Lonesome Town 6
Poor Little Fool 3
Hello Mary Lou 3
Just A Little Too Much 1
I'm Walkin' 1
Young World 0
Teen Age Idol 0
It's Up to You 0
Travelin' Man 0
A Teenager's Romance 0
Sweeter Than You 0
Never Be Anyone Else But You 0
It's Late 0
Believe What You Say 0
Stood Up 0
Be-Bop Baby 0
For You 0


Lewis - J'Agour (crüt), Monday, 28 July 2014 21:21 (nine years ago) link

Nice, I'm gonna listen to these and see what I think. First thought of the ones I know is "Poor Little Fool."

timellison, Monday, 28 July 2014 21:27 (nine years ago) link

Very nice. Will be tough to pick one

Dr. Winston O'Boogie Chillen' (James Redd and the Blecchs), Monday, 28 July 2014 23:43 (nine years ago) link

Immediately started looking for "Fools Rush In" but turns out it only got to #12

Josefa, Tuesday, 29 July 2014 00:10 (nine years ago) link

Voted "Hello Mary Lou", but lots of other gems here: Stood Up, It's Late, Lonesome Town, Poor Little Fool, Believe What You Say, Travelin' Man.

jetfan, Tuesday, 29 July 2014 00:21 (nine years ago) link

I'm Walkin'

some dude, Tuesday, 29 July 2014 01:17 (nine years ago) link

i was recently at a social gathering where i was i the only person who knew who ricky nelson was
smh
but i like "poor little fool"

cross over the mushroom circle (La Lechera), Tuesday, 29 July 2014 02:11 (nine years ago) link

"Lonesome Town."

guess that bundt gettin eaten (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 29 July 2014 02:12 (nine years ago) link

Ditto. I've got his Legendary Masters double, but for me he just doesn't rank anywhere near Holly or the Everlys among white '50s rock & roll guys. I'll grant that his music was more adventurous than his TV show.

clemenza, Tuesday, 29 July 2014 04:45 (nine years ago) link

I think he rates pretty darn high. Lots of legitimate greats here, some of which I've had to be reminded of, written by folks like the Burnettes and Jack Fuller. And, obviously, James Burton, Jordanaires, etc.

"It's Up to You" is a nice later one.

timellison, Tuesday, 29 July 2014 05:20 (nine years ago) link

Funny, was just re-reading Dylan's Chronicles, and he has a lot of kind words to say about Ricky

Dr X O'Skeleton, Tuesday, 29 July 2014 18:25 (nine years ago) link

Dylan did "Lonesome Town" in tribute right after Ricky died.

Came to post: remember what Greil Marcus said about him on Treasure Island.

Also, I read two biographies about him recently and posted some stuff, at least links, on some other Rick Nelson threads, such as they are.

Dr. Winston O'Boogie Chillen' (James Redd and the Blecchs), Wednesday, 30 July 2014 02:08 (nine years ago) link

I think he is a Stone Canyon Classic. He put out an awesome string of rockabilly singles, put together a great band- apparently Elvis's band auditioned for him when they were on strike but he turned them down- was one of the inventors of country rock and kept his dignity and head held high throughout the ups and downs of his career. The details of his death are quite saddening to contemplate, as it was ultimately due to negligence. Seems like he was basically a nice guy as well.

Dr. Winston O'Boogie Chillen' (James Redd and the Blecchs), Wednesday, 30 July 2014 02:17 (nine years ago) link

Two telling details I enjoyed, and made me feel warm thoughts toward the Nelsons:

After he joined Ricky's band, James Burton accepted an invitation to live at the Nelson house.

None other than Earl Palmer said Ozzie was kind of a visionary- my word, not his- because he knew enough to mix the bass and drums louder, to make it sound right over the TV airwaves.

Dr. Winston O'Boogie Chillen' (James Redd and the Blecchs), Wednesday, 30 July 2014 02:23 (nine years ago) link

I think Marcus included the Dylan tribute in a "Real Life"--something like, "He recorded a few of my songs; I'd like to do one of his."

I did think of Marcus's Stranded discography when I saw this poll--that's why I bought the album long ago. Just didn't really get much out of it, "Lonesome Town" excluded (which I likely knew already because of the Cramps).

clemenza, Wednesday, 30 July 2014 02:54 (nine years ago) link

McCartney did a splendid version of "Lonesome Town" in '99.

guess that bundt gettin eaten (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 30 July 2014 02:57 (nine years ago) link

I believe Cub Koda was a huge fan. I know John Fogerty was.

Dr. Winston O'Boogie Chillen' (James Redd and the Blecchs), Wednesday, 30 July 2014 03:02 (nine years ago) link

There's a neat moment in "Crime Story", in one of the first Vegas episodes, where Dennis Farina is in a lounge chatting up this woman. "Lonesome Town" comes up on the soundtrack and he tells her about how that song is the city's national anthem and they have a slow dance.

Randall "Humble" Pie (C. Grisso/McCain), Wednesday, 30 July 2014 04:19 (nine years ago) link

Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.

System, Monday, 4 August 2014 00:01 (nine years ago) link

Randomly picked one of the tunes I like that I suspect will get no votes

Erdős Number 9 Dream (James Redd and the Blecchs), Monday, 4 August 2014 00:17 (nine years ago) link

Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.

System, Tuesday, 5 August 2014 00:01 (nine years ago) link

Rick in 1965 with a song written by Billy Vera (who also wrote "Don't Look Back," which the Remains recorded around this time). This was probably the next-to-last year of the TV show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQrZpFBj30U

timellison, Wednesday, 6 August 2014 04:51 (nine years ago) link


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