Eric Hilliard Nelson (May 8, 1940 – December 31, 1985), known professionally as Ricky Nelson until his 21st birthday when he officially dropped the "y" and simply became Rick Nelson, was an American singer-songwriter. His discography comprises 24 original studio albums, one original live album, various compilation and archival projects, and 94 singles.
Albums Studio albums Year Album Peak positions USFor peaks after 1963: US Country AUS CAN 1957 Ricky 1 — align="center" — 1958 Ricky Nelson features "Don't Leave Me This Way", Nelson's earliest recorded composition 7 — align="center" — 1959 Ricky Sings Again 14 — align="center" 1 Songs by Ricky 22 — align="center" — 1960 More Songs by Ricky 18 — align="center" — 1961 Rick Is 21 8 — align="center" — 1962 Album Seven by Rick Nelson's seventh studio album and the final comprising new material on Imperial Records 27 — align="center" — 1963 For Your Sweet Love Nelson's Decca Records debut and eighth studio album 20 — align="center" — Rick Nelson Sings "For You" Nelson's second Decca album 14 — align="center" — 1964 The Very Thought of You — — align="center" — Spotlight on Rick — — align="center" —1965Best Always — — align="center" — Love and Kisses — — align="center" — 1966 Bright Lights and Country Music Nelson's exploration of the country rock genre "You Just Can't Quit" was penned by Nelson featuring guitarists James Burton, Clarence White, and Glen Campbell — — align="center" —1967 Country Fever the sequel to Bright Lights and Country Music "Alone" was composed by Nelson James Burton, Clarence White, and Glen Campbell are among the players — — align="center" — Another Side of Rick orchestrated psychedelic pop "Marshmallow Skies" and "Promenade in Green" were co-written with James Burton and John Boylan, respectively — — align="center" — 1968 Perspective more orchestrated psychedelic pop "Hello to the Wind" was co-written alongside producer John Boylan — — align="center" — 1970 Rick Sings Nelson all 10 songs composed by Nelson including "Down Along the Bayou Country", "California", and "How Long" 196 — 33 — 1971 Rudy the Fifth seven tunes written by Nelson including "This Train", "Life", and "Gypsy Pilot" 204 — 38 — 1972 Garden Party six songs penned by Nelson including the career-defining title cut 32 26 67 39 1974 Windfall Nelson's final Decca / MCA album "Someone to Love", "Lifestream", and "Windfall" were composed by Nelson 190 — 61 97 1977 Intakes Nelson's only released Epic Records LP the final appearance of the Stone Canyon Band "It's Another Day" and "Something You Can't Buy" were Nelson's songwriting contributions — — — — 1981 Playing to Win Nelson's sole Capitol Records album "The Loser Babe Is You" and "Call It What You Want" were his final released compositions 153 — — — 1985 All My Best studio re-recordings of 21 of Nelson's greatest hits plus "You Know What I Mean" overseen by longtime arranger Jimmie Haskell later reissues eliminated various songs — — 58 —1986The Memphis Sessions dubbed Rockabilly Renaissance in the late '70s before Epic Records cancelled its release a few months after Nelson's death, CBS hired Nashville producer Steve Buckingham to replace the original drum and lead guitar tracks and remix the material — 62 — —
Soundtrack Year Album 1966 On the Flip Side a Burt Bacharach and Hal David-scored soundtrack for the rare 60-minute ABC special Nelson is heard on only four songs—"It Doesn't Matter Anymore", "They Don't Give Medals (To Yesterday's Heroes)", "Take a Broken Heart", and a duet with costar Joannie Sommers on "Try to See It My Way"
EP Year Album 1960 Ricky Sings Spirituals Includes 4 songs: "Glory Train", "March with the Band of the Lord", "If You Believe It", "I Bowed My Head in Shame" Nelson's only EP
Lost studio albums Year Album 1978 Back to Vienna produced by Bob Dylan's session organist Al Kooper Epic scuttled the 10-song studio LP, which was finally distributed in its entirety on the mammoth 2010 Bear Family box The Last Time Around as well as Real Gone Music's The Complete Epic Recordings. 1979 Rockabilly Renaissance (aka The Memphis Sessions) The only time Nelson recorded outside Los Angeles. "That Ain't the Way Love's Supposed to Be" was co-written by Nelson and Flying Burrito Brother John Beland and attached as the B-side of Bobby Darin's "Dream Lover". Excepting the afore-mentioned single, Epic canned the Larry Rogers-helmed album. Epic belatedly released four additional sides ("Lay Back in the Arms of Someone" and renditions of John Fogerty's "Almost Saturday Night", Arthur Crudup's "That's All Right" (popularized by Elvis Presley), and Buddy Holly's "Rave On") on a February 1981 EP titled Four You. According to biographer Philip Bashe, Nelson was unaware of his former label's intentions and was incensed to discover that applause had been overdubbed onto the Holly rocker to simulate a concert atmosphere. The summer after Nelson's death, Epic compiled 10 cuts into The Memphis Sessions, omitting "That Ain't the Way Love's Supposed to Be". 1986 Untitled Curb Records Studio Album Jimmie Haskell continued his renewed collaboration with Nelson, laying down instrumental tracks and guide vocals in the fall of 1985 at Baby-O Recorders and Conway Studios in North Hollywood for 10 new songs, albeit none penned by Nelson. If the entertainer had not perished on New Year's Eve, the rockabilly-themed project was poised for a 1986 release with Mike Curb's Nashville-based Curb Records. These are the only Nelson songs still relegated to the vaults although unauthorized, unfinished versions have leaked.
Live albums Year Album Peak positions US CAN 1970 Rick Nelson in Concert at the Troubadour, 1969 Nelson regains his footing as a country rocker the debut of the Stone Canyon Band the sole live album issued during Nelson's lifetime "Come on In", "Who Cares About Tomorrow", "Promises", and "Easy to Be Free" were Nelson compositions. 54 66 1989 Ricky Nelson Live (1983–1985) issued by Rhino Records 18 songs featuring the Jordanaires The first half was recorded on August 22, 1985, at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles while the remaining nine were waxed on February 22, 1983, at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan, Illinois. Nelson's second live album — — 1991 Live at the Aladdin Nelson was booked at the Las Vegas hotel on three occasions—March 7–20, June 6–20, and August 25 – September 5, 1978. It is unclear which show the 12 songs come from featuring steel guitarist Tom Brumley, lead guitarist John Beland, and the Sweet Inspirations on backing vocals produced by Beland issued on the British Magnum Force label Nelson's third live album — — 1999 A Night to Remember An audio document of Nelson's August 22, 1985, televised concert at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles. released by Fuel 2000 Records in cooperation with Varèse Sarabande Nelson's fourth live album — —
Notable archival projects Year Album 1993 Stay Young: The Epic Recordings the first compilation to unearth four of the "Back to Vienna" outtakes and strip away Steve Buckingham's mid-'80s production flourishes 2003 The Lost '60s Recordings between 1961 and 1962 Nelson, Glen Campbell, Jerry "Travelin' Man" Fuller, and Dave Burgess collaborated vocally in two studio groups—the Trophies and the Fleas—although Nelson was never credited because he was contractually bound to Imperial Records 18 tracks issued by Varèse Sarabande 2004 Rick's Rarities (1964–1974) an Ace Records compilation excavating a selection of Nelson's unreleased Decca tunes 2012 The Complete Epic Recordings Real Gone Music released two CDs containing Nelson's entire 1976–1979 Epic tenure (i.e. Intakes, Back to Vienna, and Rockabilly Renaissance)
Box sets Year Album 2000 Legacy notable as the first Nelson box set a four-CD career-encompassing project distributed by Capitol 2001 The American Dream: The Complete Imperial and Verve Recordings (1957–1963) the first installment of a chronological archival series released by Bear Family, a German indie label specializing in vintage country and pop 2008 For You: The Decca Years (1963–1969) the second Bear Family box set devoted to Nelson 2010 The Last Time Around (1970–1982) the third and ultimate Bear Family box set revisits Nelson's Stone Canyon Band tenure
Compilation albums Year Album Peak positions US 1963 Best Sellers by Rick Nelson Imperial Records 1957 single "Stood Up" b/w "Waitin' in School" makes its LP debut 112 It's Up to You Imperial Records 1962 single "It's Up to You" b/w "I Need You" makes its album debut 128 Million Sellers Imperial Records "Young World", "Everlovin'", and "I Wanna Be Loved" make their LP debut — A Long Vacation Imperial Records — 1964 Rick Nelson Sings for You Imperial compilation distributed on the coattails of Nelson's Decca hit For You — 1989 Lonesome Town (All-Time Greatest Hits) — 2005 Greatest Hits Capitol Records 56 2007 Ricky Rocks Bear Family — 2008 Greatest Love Songs Capitol set cherry-picking romantic highlights from Nelson's tenures on Imperial and Epic —
Singles