GREAT ROCKABILLY 78 FROM THE YOUNG RICKY NELSON IN VERY GOOD PLAYING CONDITION

 

Ricky Nelson was the first rock star to be a true hild of radio and television

During his childhood, Ricky suffered with asthma attacks, and grew up thin and sickly. However beginning with his 1952 television debut he went from a scrawny twelve year old prankster to a rakishly charming young man in 1956. A modest young man Ricky was remembered as quiet and well behaved at Bancroft Junior High. In 1954, he enrolled at Hollywood High School and was an average student. By this time, he was earning a $100,00 annual salary from the TV show.

In 1956, rock and roll was sweeping the country and old styles of music out of the way. Ricky was a member of the Rooks, a clique at Hollywood high that liked to cause trouble for authority figures. Ozzie and Harriet were as average as one could be and still be TV stars.. Ricky resented their life style and authority. In retaliation, he immerse himself into rock and roll music, the antithesis of Ozzie's smooth big band sound. He grew sideburns, slicked his hair back, wore shirts with the collars turned up and even tried to tattoo himself on the shoulder and wrist. Mostly, he played rock and roll music - loud.

Legend has it that Ricky was dating a beautiful teenager named Arlene. His natural insecurity made him certain Arlene was going to drop him at any minute, after all she was a year older than him. Their few dates were "cold." On what he was certain was going to be their last date, an Elvis song was playing on the car radio. Arlene swooned over Elvis. Ricky quickly said that he was about to make his own record. Arlene responded by laughing.

Ricky pleaded with Ozzie to help him make a record after all Ozzie had been a recording star in his own right. Ozzie finally agreed and through his connections Ricky became part of the entertainment at Knott's Berry Farm. Ricky acquitted himself very well.

Next, Ricky sang on the show. Ricky choose Fats Domino's "I'm Walkin." The publics response was positive and a demo tape was made. The Nelson's talent agency, MCA, sent the tape out to more than twenty labels. Each turned it down until Barney Kessel heard it. Kessel was an acclaimed jazz guitarist and chief A&R man for Verve Records. He had also been Ozzie's guitarists in the 1940s. Kessel realized that Ricky's image had already been pre-sold through the weekly TV shows. A deal was made for one three hour recording session for Verve. Three songs "I'm Walkin''," "A Teenager's Romance," and "You're My One and Only Love" were completed.

On April 10, 1957 "I'm Walkin'" debuted on the TV show. Within a week "I'm Walkin'" backed by "A Teenager's Romance," was released by Verve. Through the summer "I'm Walkin'" moved up the charts. In mid-summer "A Teenager's Romance" caught on. Verve was swamped with orders and quickly fell behind in in pressing new singles. They also fell behind in paying royalties, a major transgression in Ozzie's eyes.

Lew Chudd of Imperial Records, Fats Domino's label, was one of the first to notice Ricky. After all, Imperial held part of the publishing rights to "I'm Walkin'." Chudd approached Ozzie about Ricky's contract. After he learned of Ozzie's unhappiness with Verve and that Verve only had an agreement for one session, Chudd and Ozzie made a deal. Ricky moved to Imperial with a five year contract guaranteeing $50,000 against royalties. Verve retaliated by releasing "Your My One and Only" with an instrumental by Kessel on the flip side.

The Verve single had just titillated the teen audience. It was obvious that Ricky's first Imperial single would be an instant smash. There were advanced orders for a million copies before Ricky had even entered the studio to record "Be-Bop Baby" and "Have I Told You That I Love You." A week later the songs were played on the TV show. The single roared up the US charts in the fall of 1957, but failed to make any impact in the UK.

 

RICKY NELSON  LONDON HLP 8499

A SIDE :  BE BOP BABY (Lendhurst)

A be bop baby a be bop baby a be bop baby she's the gal for me
She got plenty of rhythm got plenty of jive and when we dance we really come alive
My love for her's so tender and sweet my heart starts poundin' ev'ry time we meet
A be bop baby still in her teens just as sweet as she can be
A be bop baby in her old blue jeans is the be bop baby for me a be bop baby for me
A be bop baby a be bop baby a be bop baby she's the gal for me
I'm gonna find her tonight we're gonna have a time
I want that baby to be mine all mine
A big day's comin' for my baby and me the day she says she belongs to me
A be bop baby still in her teens just as sweet as she can be
A be bop baby in her old blue jeans is the be bop baby for me a be bop baby for me
A be bop baby a be bop baby a be bop baby she's the gal for me
I'm gonna find her tonight...
  B SIDE:  HAVE I TOLD YOU LATELY THAT I LOVE YOU (Wisdeman)   UK LONDON HLP 8499  10" 78rpm SHELLAC

CONDITION =  VG/VG+    scruffy labels and some scuffs and marks but still plays loud and clear 

 

GREAT ROCK-A-BILLY BOPPER - BUY IT NOW

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