Sheree Homer, author of the judiciously researched tome “Rick Nelson: Rock ’n’ Roll Pioneer,” leaves no stone unturned in a far-reaching interview exploring the “Garden Party” balladeer’s meteoric rise on late 1950s pop radio and unspeakable demise on the precipice of a rockabilly-fueled comeback. Seen here sporting an unbuttoned, striped blue and white shirt that perfectly complements his piercing blue eyes and pouty lips, a barely out of high school Nelson is poised for pin-up status in 1958. Image courtesy of Sheree Homer
Rick Nelson made it look so easy, but what other artist could have landed 32 Top 40 pop singles on Billboard in a six-year period dominated by Elvis Presley, one of Nelson’s earliest musical heroes? The quintessential American boy next door conveyed an assured mix of Fender Telecaster-fueled rockabilly, hauntingly fragile ballads, and trailblazing…
Retro pop culture interviews & lovin’ something fierce sustain this University of Georgia Master of Agricultural Leadership alum. Email: jeremylr@windstream.net
