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On April 17, 1958, Ricky Nelson recorded "Poor Little Fool."
He hadn't even turned eighteen yet.
Ricky Nelson
Nelson in a publicity photo for Decca Records in 1966
Background information
Birth name: Eric Hilliard Nelson
Also known as: Rick Nelson
Born: May 8, 1940; Teaneck, New Jersey, U.S.
Died: December 31, 1985 (aged 45); De Kalb, Texas, U.S.
Website: rickynelson.com
Eric Hilliard Nelson (May 8, 1940 – December 31, 1985), known professionally as Ricky Nelson until his 21st birthday when he officially dropped the "y" and simply became Rick Nelson, was an American rock 'n' roll star, pop pioneer, musician, singer-songwriter and actor. From age eight he starred alongside his family in the radio and television series The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. In 1957, he began a long and successful career as a popular recording artist. As one of the top "teen idols" of the 1950s, his fame led to a motion picture role co-starring alongside John Wayne and Dean Martin in Howard Hawks's western feature film Rio Bravo (1959). He placed 53 songs on the Billboard Hot 100, and its predecessors, between 1957 and 1973, including "Poor Little Fool" in 1958, which was the first number 1 song on Billboard magazine's then-newly created Hot 100 chart. He recorded 19 additional Top 10 hits and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on January 21, 1987. In 1996 Nelson was ranked No. 49 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time.
{snip}
Nelson in a publicity photo for Decca Records in 1966
Background information
Birth name: Eric Hilliard Nelson
Also known as: Rick Nelson
Born: May 8, 1940; Teaneck, New Jersey, U.S.
Died: December 31, 1985 (aged 45); De Kalb, Texas, U.S.
Website: rickynelson.com
Eric Hilliard Nelson (May 8, 1940 – December 31, 1985), known professionally as Ricky Nelson until his 21st birthday when he officially dropped the "y" and simply became Rick Nelson, was an American rock 'n' roll star, pop pioneer, musician, singer-songwriter and actor. From age eight he starred alongside his family in the radio and television series The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. In 1957, he began a long and successful career as a popular recording artist. As one of the top "teen idols" of the 1950s, his fame led to a motion picture role co-starring alongside John Wayne and Dean Martin in Howard Hawks's western feature film Rio Bravo (1959). He placed 53 songs on the Billboard Hot 100, and its predecessors, between 1957 and 1973, including "Poor Little Fool" in 1958, which was the first number 1 song on Billboard magazine's then-newly created Hot 100 chart. He recorded 19 additional Top 10 hits and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on January 21, 1987. In 1996 Nelson was ranked No. 49 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time.
{snip}
Poor Little Fool
Single by Ricky Nelson from the album Ricky Nelson
B-side: "Don't Leave Me This Way"
Released: June 23, 1958
Recorded: April 17, 1958
Studio: United Recording Studios, Hollywood, California
Genre: Country
"Poor Little Fool" is a song written by Sharon Sheeley and first recorded by Ricky Nelson in 1958.
{snip}
Background
Sheeley wrote the song when she was 15 years old. She had met Elvis Presley, and he encouraged her to write. It was based on her disappointment following a short-lived relationship with Don Everly of The Everly Brothers. Sheeley sought Ricky Nelson to record the tune. She drove to his house, and claimed her car had broken down. He came to her aid, and she sprang the song on him. Her version was at a much faster tempo than his recording.
The song was recorded by Ricky Nelson on April 17, 1958, and released on Imperial Records through its catalog number: 5528. The recording features the background vocals of the Jordanaires. On August 4, 1958, it became the first number-one song on Billboard magazine's then-new Hot 100 chart, replacing the magazine's Jockeys and Top 100 charts. It spent two weeks at the number-one spot. It also reached the top 10 on the Billboard Country and Rhythm and Blues charts. Following its success, Sheeley worked with Eddie Cochran.
{snip}
Single by Ricky Nelson from the album Ricky Nelson
B-side: "Don't Leave Me This Way"
Released: June 23, 1958
Recorded: April 17, 1958
Studio: United Recording Studios, Hollywood, California
Genre: Country
"Poor Little Fool" is a song written by Sharon Sheeley and first recorded by Ricky Nelson in 1958.
{snip}
Background
Sheeley wrote the song when she was 15 years old. She had met Elvis Presley, and he encouraged her to write. It was based on her disappointment following a short-lived relationship with Don Everly of The Everly Brothers. Sheeley sought Ricky Nelson to record the tune. She drove to his house, and claimed her car had broken down. He came to her aid, and she sprang the song on him. Her version was at a much faster tempo than his recording.
The song was recorded by Ricky Nelson on April 17, 1958, and released on Imperial Records through its catalog number: 5528. The recording features the background vocals of the Jordanaires. On August 4, 1958, it became the first number-one song on Billboard magazine's then-new Hot 100 chart, replacing the magazine's Jockeys and Top 100 charts. It spent two weeks at the number-one spot. It also reached the top 10 on the Billboard Country and Rhythm and Blues charts. Following its success, Sheeley worked with Eddie Cochran.
{snip}
Rick Nelson Poor Little Fool Live 1977
91,639 views • Nov 10, 2010
jesmelric
11.4K subscribers
Rick Performs live in 1977
91,639 views • Nov 10, 2010
jesmelric
11.4K subscribers
Rick Performs live in 1977
Thu Apr 20, 2023: On April 17, 1958, Ricky Nelson recorded "Poor Little Fool."
Tue Apr 20, 2021: On April 17, 1958, Ricky Nelson recorded "Poor Little Fool."
