Before there was American Idol, before Making the Band, Ozzie and Harriet mixed reality and fantasy around a centerpiece of music. The Clay Aiken of his day, Nelson was a fan favorite with a voice of gold, though his pop has turned out to be remarkably durable. These rockabilly-tinged ditties still resonate.
In the 1950s, Ricky Nelson brought tender ballads and rock 'n' roll to living rooms across America, co-starring in his parents' weekly hit, "The Ozzie and Harriet Show." For the first time, his most romantic recordings have been collected for a new CD and digital album, Ricky Nelson: Greatest Love Songs, to be released January 15 by Capitol/EMI, just in time for Valentine's Day. The 22-track collection features 14 Top 20 hits, including the #1 smash, "Poor Little Fool." Two Ricky Nelson ringtunes will also debut on January 15.