Rick Nelson became a singing sensation by closing his parents’ TV show Ozzie And Harriet with a song at the end of each episode. He recorded 20 Top 10 hits.

Rick came to Vancouver in the autumn of 1957 and played the Forum at Exhibition Park. He was booed on stage because of his laid-back attitude. After he finished each song he would pause and have a drink of water. When compared to Elvis‘ show earlier it was a let down. He improved his presentation with age.

Rick was killed in a plane crash near Dallas on December 31, 1985. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on January 21, 1987.

Here’s a great 1958 quote from Rick: “Anyone who knocks rock’n’roll either doesn’t understand it, or is prejudiced against it, or is just plain square.”