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Eric Hilliard "Ricky" Nelson, alternately Rick Nelson (May 8, 1940 - December 31, 1985), was one of the first American teen idols.
Born in Teaneck, New Jersey, he was the youngest son of Ozzie Nelson, the leader of a big band, and Harriet Hilliard Nelson, the band's singer. Along with brother David Nelson, the family starred in the long-running radio and television series The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet from 1944 to 1966; until 1949, the sons were played on radio by professional actors.
Ricky began a rock and roll music career in 1957. Apocryphally, he recorded his debut single, the Fats Domino song "I'm Walkin'", in order to impress his girlfriend Lorrie Collins; the song was a hit. Soon, each show ended with a musical performance by "Ricky".