In the 1950s and 60s, families all over the country sat down in front of their televisions sets when it was time to watch “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet.” During its fourteen-year run, the Nelson boys grew up on the show along with a lot of America. And when the youngest son, Ricky, took up his guitar and started singing, his fans were thrilled, including those in Tucson.
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File photo
The Nelson Family—Ozzie and Harriet with sons Ricky, left, and David—pose in their television home in this undated file photo
So, in 1958, when Ricky was in Tucson filming “Rio Bravo,” throngs of young fans showed up wherever they thought there might be a Ricky sighting. This meant over 100 girls showed up at radio station KCNA when they heard their idol would hold an interview and autograph session.
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Alas, that was a rumor. But, the president and secretary of the Tucson Ricky Nelson Fan Club were allowed a special visit to his room at the Sands Motor Hotel. They presented the singer with a birthday cake for his 18th birthday. The cake they baked was in the shape of a bucket with a hole it in.
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1958 Jack Sheaffer file photo
Rick Nelson and two thrilled fans, Kathy Stockwell, left, and Kitty Lance.
The Howard Hawks movie “Rio Bravo” was being filmed at Old Tucson. It starred John Wayne, Ward Bond, Dean Martin and Walter Brennan. In it Nelson played a hired gunslinger. When he arrived in Tucson to begin filming, Nelson wore yellow boots, black slacks, a blue open-collar shirt and a white leather jacket.
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1958 Jack Sheaffer file photo
Rick Nelson, right, and his stand-in Joe Byrne arrive at the airport.
But little Ricky grew up and when he returned to Tucson in 1982, he was Rick Nelson. He made an appearance at the Comedy Club on August 10th with his five-piece band. They kept the crowd happy with lots of his hit songs and lots of good memories. Rick was back to town the next year for his performance at Hi Corbett on the 4th of July.
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1983 file photo
Rick Nelson, left, at Hi Corbett Field on July 4, 1983.
Rick Nelson was killed in a plane crash on New Year’s Eve in Texas. The cause of the accident was ruled to be a faulty cabin heater or electrical short. For his fans though, he lives on via the Internet. You can even listen to Rick Nelson singing Lonesome Town from a 1958 episode the tv show.
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