On this day, December 31, 1985, Ricky Nelson and six others were killed in a plane crash in Texas.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Last edited Tue Dec 31, 2024, 10:54 AM - Edit history (2)

Ricky Nelson


Nelson in a publicity photo for Decca Records in 1966

Background information
Birth name: Eric Hilliard Nelson
Also known as: Rick Nelson
Born: May 8, 1940; Teaneck, New Jersey, U.S.
Died: December 31, 1985 (aged 45); De Kalb, Texas, U.S.

Website: rickynelson.com

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 rock 'n' roll star, pop pioneer, musician, singer-songwriter and actor. From age eight he starred alongside his family in the radio and television series The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. In 1957, he began a long and successful career as a popular recording artist. As one of the top "teen idols" of the 1950s, his fame led to a motion picture role co-starring alongside John Wayne and Dean Martin in Howard Hawks's western feature film Rio Bravo (1959). He placed 53 songs on the Billboard Hot 100, and its predecessors, between 1957 and 1973, including "Poor Little Fool" in 1958, which was the first number 1 song on Billboard magazine's then-newly created Hot 100 chart. He recorded 19 additional Top 10 hits and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on January 21, 1987. In 1996 Nelson was ranked No. 49 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time.

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Death

Main article: Death of Ricky Nelson

On December 31, 1985, Nelson died when the Douglas DC-3 on which he was a passenger crashed into trees, poles, and electrical wires, when it attempted to make an emergency landing while in flight between Guntersville, Alabama and Dallas, where he was to perform a New Year's Eve concert. Nelson's DC-3 seemed constantly beset by mechanical problems. The fatal fire was caused by a defective heater in the tail of the plane. The heater caught fire and filled the cabin with toxic fumes. While both pilots survived, all seven passengers died.

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Death of Ricky Nelson

Ricky Nelson's plane crash
Date: December 31, 1985, at 17:14 (CST)
Summary: In-flight fire
Site: Near De Kalb, Texas, U.S.
Aircraft
Aircraft type: Douglas DC-3
Operator: privately owned
Registration: N711Y
Flight origin: Guntersville Municipal Airport, Guntersville, Alabama, U.S.
Destination: Dallas Love Field, Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Occupants: 9
Passengers: 7
Crew: 2
Fatalities: 7
Survivors: 2

American pop singer Ricky Nelson died during the crash-landing of his band’s aircraft on December 31, 1985. The plane, a Douglas DC-3, was brought down mid-flight outside De Kalb, Texas, by a fire that rapidly spread from a suspected faulty in-cabin heater. Nelson and six others—including several band members and his girlfriend—were killed in the accident. Both pilots survived.

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Burial

Nelson's remains were misdirected in transit from Texas to California, delaying the funeral for several days. On January 6, 1986, 250 mourners entered the Church of the Hills in Los Angeles for funeral services while 700 fans gathered outside. Attendees included Colonel Tom Parker, Connie Stevens, Angie Dickinson, and dozens of actors, writers and musicians. Nelson was privately buried days later at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park cemetery.

Aftermath

Nelson's ex-wife, Kristin Nelson, threatened to sue the Nelson family for her former husband's life insurance money and tried to gain control of his estate from David Nelson, its administrator. Her bid was rejected by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge. Ricky Nelson had bequeathed his entire estate to his children and did not leave anything for his ex-wife. Only days after the funeral, rumors and newspaper reports erroneously suggested that cocaine freebasing was among several possible causes of the plane crash. Those allegations were refuted by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) following its investigation.

{snip}

Here are publicity stills of eighteen-year-old Ricky Nelson in Rio Bravo:







Thu Oct 24, 2024: On this day, October 24, 1936, David Nelson was born.

Wed May 8, 2024: On this day, May 8, 1940, Ricky Nelson was born.

Fri Apr 19, 2024: On April 17, 1958, Ricky Nelson recorded "Poor Little Fool."

Mon Apr 1, 2024: Rick Nelson Poor Little Fool Live 1977

Wed Mar 20, 2024: On this day, March 20, 1906, Ozzie Nelson was born.

Thu Jan 11, 2024: On this day, January 11, 2011, David Nelson died.

Sun Dec 31, 2023: On this day, December 31, 1985, Ricky Nelson and six others were killed in a plane crash in Texas.

Sat Dec 31, 2022 On this day, December 31, 1985, Ricky Nelson and six others were killed in a plane crash in Texas.

Sun May 8, 2022: Ricky Nelson was born on this date.

Tue May 10, 2022: Belated greetings:

Mon May 10, 2021: On May 8, 1940, both Ricky Nelson and Toni Tennille were born.

Hat tip, This Day in Rock, which is now defunct.

1985 - Ricky Nelson

Ricky Nelson was killed along with six others, when his charted light aircraft crashed in Texas. It's rumoured that freebasing cocaine caused an onboard explosion. Nelson had played himself on his parent's US TV The Adventures Of Ozzie and Harriet.' (1958 US No.1 'Poor Little Fool', 1961 UK No.2 single 'Hello Mary Lou' plus over 30 US Top 40 hit singles).

[niyad]

1. I was at a concert he did at Harrah's in Lake Tahoe, a double bill with

the drunk pedo jerry lee lewis (who appeared to be drunk or high throughout his segment). I remember feeling a bit sad for Rick, thinking about the lyrics of "Garden Party", as seemed evident in the crowd. The rumours about cocaine causing the crash were finally disproven years later. .posted in articles buried deep in the papers.

[chicoescuela]

2. Seems like yesterday. I wasn't at this concert but I was working across the street from Harrah's (High Sierra) at the

time of the accident. Very sad

[niyad]

3. We probably passed each other once or twice!

[chicoescuela]

4. possibly, did you work or live in the area?

[niyad]

5. I had worked at Harvey's for several years, then Sahara/Hilton in Reno, but still

spent time in SLT.

[chicoescuela]

6. 70s at Tahoe was awesome

I enjoyed working for Del Webb

[niyad]

7. They were indeed awesome. I worked for one of the last of the private

Last edited Wed Jan 1, 2025, 10:42 AM - Edit history (1)

hotel-casinos, Harvey's. Harvey and I (mere employee that I was! ) got along great. He thought that I had a completely warped sense of humour (he had no idea HOW warped! ) I was shocked when the bombing occurred. I was working in Reno at Sahara that year, and just missed priscilla ford's deadlly rampage bcause I had just parked my car in the employee section of the parking garage. Because of what I saw on the street that day, I had some small understanding of how the people in Charlottesville felt.

I did not mind working for the Sahara, but absolutely hated the hilton when it took over. A bunch of crooked, ignorant asshholes. I believe that spawn 5 is named after the hilton owner.

I used to have some priscilla ford Thanksgiving cards, and a t-shirt that read "Bombed out at Harvey's, Burned out in Las Vegas, Run over in Reno. I had one hell of a year!" (told you that I was warped!!!)

[chicoescuela]

8. Harvey Gross was a legend and gaming pioneer.

I later worked at Harold’s Club but long after Priscilla Ford went off.
Downtown Reno is a shadow of what it was then. I can’t imagine what that scene was like after she drove down the sidewalk. Thank you for the stories.

[chicoescuela]

9. Yikes, now New Orleans. What is wrong with people?

[niyad]

10. Reno. Charlottesville. NOLA. Some people are truly sick, twisted souls.

[chicoescuela]

11. Just sad that you brought up Ford a couple hours before this