Ricky Nelson was a pioneering rock and roll artist whose smooth vocals and blend of rockabilly, country, and pop made him a teen idol in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Rising to fame through The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, he used the show to showcase hits like Hello Mary Lou, Travelin’ Man, and Poor Little Fool, which became one of the first #-1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100.
Unlike many teen idols, Nelson was a serious musician, working with top session players and later evolving his sound toward country rock with the Stone Canyon Band in the 1970s. His legacy bridges the gap between early rock and roll and the emerging country rock movement, influencing artists across genres.
Listen to early hits and with The Stone Canyon Band plus singing clip from the Ozzie and Harriet show, free and uninterrupted
Early Years use ☰ to select track
Ricky Nelson and The Stone Canyon Band use ☰ to select track
Ricky Nelson was the founder and original member of the Stone Canyon Band. He formed the group in 1969 as a way to explore a new sound blending country, rock, and folk, moving away from his earlier rockabilly and pop hits. While the band's lineup changed over the years, Nelson remained the constant frontman, lead vocalist, and primary creative force behind their music until his passing in 1985.
The Stone Canyon Band had several lineup changes throughout its existence, but the core members who played with Ricky during his country rock years included:
Randy Meisner (bass, vocals) – Original bassist, later joined the Eagles.
Allen Kemp (lead guitar, vocals) – Played a key role in shaping their sound.
Patrick Shanahan (drums, vocals) – Provided rhythm and backing vocals.
Tom Brumley (pedal steel guitar) – Previously played with Buck Owens and brought a strong country influence.
Jay DeWitt White (bass) – Took over after Randy Meisner’s departure.
Dennis Larden (guitar, vocals) – Formerly of Every Mother’s Son, played in later versions of the band.
The band's sound was a blend of rock, country, and folk influences, helping to pioneer the country rock movement alongside artists like the Byrds and Poco.
In his early years (late 1950s to early 1960s), Ricky Nelson's backup band was made up of some of the most talented session musicians in rock and country music. His core band included:
James Burton (lead guitar) – A legendary guitarist known for his signature chicken-picking style, later played with Elvis Presley.
Joe Maphis (guitar) – A skilled session guitarist who played on some of Nelson’s early recordings.
James Kirkland (bass) – Provided bass on early rockabilly hits.
Ritchie Frost (drums) – Played drums on many of Nelson’s early hits.
Gene Garf (piano) – Contributed to the fuller sound of his recordings.
Many of these musicians were part of Nelson’s TV performances on The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet and his early hits like Hello Mary Lou, Poor Little Fool, and Travelin’ Man. The band's tight sound helped define Nelson’s rockabilly and early rock & roll style.
Clips of Ricky singing on the Ozzie and Harriet Show