Remembering Ricky Nelson: A Reflection on His Life and Legacy
Gunnar Nelson and Matthew Nelson reflect on their father, former teen idol Ricky Nelson, and his tragic death in a plane crash in DeKalb, Texas in 1985. They share their memories and insights in their new memoir, "What Happened to Your Hair?"
The twins were 18 years old when they lost their father and recall the circumstances leading up to his death. Despite their father's troubled marriage and financial struggles, Ricky wanted to spend time with his sons and invited them to fly with him on his DC-3 plane to a New Year's Eve show in Dallas.
However, a last-minute decision by Ricky to have the twins fly commercial instead of joining him on the plane ultimately saved their lives. The official cause of the crash was determined to be a fuel line leak that caused a fire onboard during the landing approach.
The Nelson twins faced challenges after their father's death, including clearing his name from false rumors of drug use on the plane and settling his substantial debts. Despite the financial burden, they were determined to honor their father's legacy and continue to fight for it to this day.
Their father's true happiness came from bringing joy to others through his music and films, and his legacy lives on through the happiness he continues to bring to people. The Nelson twins remain dedicated to preserving their father's memory and the impact he had on the entertainment industry.