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Travelin' Man

Our 60s act this week actually first achieved success on the pop charts in the 50s. And today, coincidentally enough, is his birthday. The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet was an American television sit-com, airing for 14 years beginning in 1952, following a successful run on radio.



Rock and roll heart-throb Ricky (later just "Rick") Nelson grew up on that show. Nelson was a popular performer in the late 50s, second only to Elvis. Today would have been his 69th birthday. Sadly Ricky Nelson died in a 1985 plane crash. But he left a string of hits behind, including this gem from 1961...



Nelson could have made a living as a rock n roll revival act continuing to sing his back catalogue of hits like Travelin' Man but that wasn't for him. In fact, when he played contemporary tunes at a 50s RnR revival concert at Madson Square Garden in 1971 he was booed off the stage. But Nelson got the last laugh. The incident inspired him to write the hit Garden Party...

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