Ricky Nelson: Idol for a Generation

by Joel Selvin

Chronicles the private life of television's first child actor--from his celebrated youth through his slow descent into depression and addiction as a struggling adult, and to his untimely death

Genres: Biography, Music, Nonfiction

272 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1990

About the author

San Francisco Chronicle pop music critic Joel Selvin started covering rock shows for the paper shortly after the end of the Civil War. His writing has appeared in a surprising number of other publications that you would think should have known better.

Reviews

[Hapzydeco · Rating 4 out of 5]

This excellent treatise by Joel Selvin proves positive that Ricky Nelson belongs in the pantheon of Rock-n-Roll. Don’t be a poor little fool and walk into this solid read and say Hello Ricky.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up watching Ricky Nelson on his famiy TV show, Ozzie and Harriet.
I enjoyed his music growing up. I didn't know that he bought the plane from Jerry Lee Lewis, that had mechanical problems, and Jerry Lee had said he would never fly in that plane again. They were ultimately not able to fix the problems, and it went down after an emergency landing, killing the 7 passengers.
Ricky had a larger then life lifestyle, along with his ex-wife, and was doing as many club dates as he could, to pay for this lifestyle.
His music still lives on, and this book talks more about his music and his albums than his personal life after he got married. He was a rock-a-billy singer, before that because "cool".

[BikerDude · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the very rockNroll bios/autobios that is worth the price of admission (confession: I bought it used, hardcover, from amazon). Extremely well researched and Selvin can write. If I could, I'd give it 4.5 stars. I was moved emotionally and intellectually (much interneting ensued). Every fan of rNr (those who read anyway) should do themselves a favor (most rNr books are dreck) and get this book.

[Esmel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Typical celebrity biography of a sad, tragic life. The author claims to have interviewed David Nelson for the book, giving the book an air of credibility. Ricky Nelson grew up in a performing family, initially enjoying participating in the family gigs and then resenting it as an adult. His father was controlling, to the point that he controlled any money that David and Ricky earned until they were of age. To be fair, it was probably the right thing to do. Despite that he never wanted for anything. There was the period of time after the end of the tv show where Ricky Nelson wanted to transition full-time into music but struggled to know himself or a single music style. Drugs, alcohol, infidelity, all comes into play. The author claims that Ricky was starting to take control of his life and was moving in a positive, new direction before his tragic death. I have my doubts. Regardless, the book makes some gossipy claims about his marriage and other things. Is it all true. Unlikely. Still, the book does fill in some holes, particular in the post Ozzie & Harriet era.

[Ron Fowler · Rating 1 out of 5]

If Joel Selvin's goal was to be the Albert Goldman of the Rick Nelson world, I think he succeeded. Rick's family, friends and musicians all agree that this is a trash tome. I read it when it came out, only because there were no other books about Rick at that time. Since then, other books have appeared, some with similar stories as this one, others with much more positive portrayals of the man and his family. There's no point in detailing the malicious gossip spewed out in this book; Selvin got what he wanted, making money off Rick's fame, disrespecting his memory and that of his father.

[Kristine Tymusz · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book. can't wait it to get back.

[Vikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

A biography of Ricky Nelson's life. A good book. A rather tragic life.