Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Series: Ricky Nelson Quiz

Answer: New Jersey

Ozzie and Harriet became proud parents when Ricky Nelson was born in Teaneck, NJ on May 8, 1940. Ricky was nearly guaranteed a career in music, his father had been one of the premier swing and big band leaders in the New York area during the 1930s.

Answer: ABC

ABC aired the show from 1952-1966, an incredibly long time for a comedy show of that era. The show has been considered the basis for nearly every modern day family oriented comedy seen on television since the day it was canceled.

Answer: Fats Domino

Ricky's version of "I'm Walkin'" reached number four on the US Billboard singles chart in April of 1957. Ricky was a 16 year old teenager when the song first charted. It's important to note that the popularity of the song was fueled by frequent plugs on his parents' television program.

Answer: Decca

Decca did sign Ricky Nelson to the 20 year contract in 1963, but they terminated the contract prematurely in the mid-1970s.

Answer: The Trophies

Ricky Nelson had to keep a very low profile while performing in The Trophies, which was sometimes known as The Fleas, due to contractual obligations to Imperial Records. The Trophies only released six singles in their brief career, all of which can be found on Varese Sarabande's compilation "The Lost 60s Recordings".

Answer: Poor Little Fool

"Poor Little Fool", a Sharon Sheeley composition, reached number one on the US Billboard singles chart in 195. "Travelin' Man" was also a US number one, but not until 1961.

Answer: True

It's true, but the award was a posthumous one. He won the 1986 Best Spoken Word Or Non-musical Album award for the "Interviews From The Class Of '55 - Recording Sessions" record. It was a bittersweet award for the Nelson family as Ricky had passed away the year before in a private plane crash on New Year's Eve while en route to a Dallas party where he was scheduled to perform.

Answer: James Burton

James Burton began his career as a session musician for the television show "Louisiana Hayride". Burton's guitar work can be found on Dale Hawkins' hit "Suzie Q" before he teamed up with Ricky Nelson. After a six year stint with Ricky Nelson's band he did side work and session work with bands such as Buffalo Springfield, The Monkees, Elvis Presley, Joni Mitchell, John Denver and Merle Haggard.

Answer: Randy Meisner

Bassist and vocalist, Randy Meisner, was also one of the founding members of Poco before his stint with The Stone Canyon Band. The Eagles were formed as the backing band for Linda Ronstadt, but decided to try out the musical waters as a four piece band in 1972. Meisner made the ill-fated decision to quit The Eagles during the band's "Hotel California" success.

Answer: Gunnar and Matthew

Gunnar and Matthew joined a heavy metal act named Strange Agents in the early 1980s, but renamed themselves Nelson after the remaining band members left the group. The band had a number one song on Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart titles "(Can't Live Without Your) Love and Affection" in 1990 off the "After the Rain" album.