IN OCTOBER OF 1981, I was at KSLQ Radio/St. Louis. In addition to my other shifts I also did a Saturday Nite Oldies Show I called "Flashbacks !". On one particular Saturday night we had the Legendary RICK NELSON in town for a special show, and he graciously agreed to give me an exclusive on-the-air Interview and personally called me that afternoon so that we could tape it.
Rick was one of the earliest Superstars and Pioneers of Rock & Roll...a true Living Legend. His early Rockabilly influences were felt far and wide, and his friends included some of the coolest "Rockabilly Cats" that were out there: Elvis, Gene Vincent, Carl Perkins, Eddie Cochran, and, the Burnett Brothers (Johnny & Dorsey).
Through the years , I've had the privilege of Interviewing some of the Greatest Legends in the Music Industry: Johnny Cash, Kenny Rogers, Paul McCartney, Anne Murray, Bob Seeger, Paul Anka, "Wolfman Jack", and too many others to mentiion. BUT, Rick Nelson was one of the kindest, most generous, most giving individuals I ever had the pleasure, and true privilege of Interviewing.
Sadly, on New Year's Eve, 1985, I was on-the-air when the news bulletin came across the wire service stating that Rick had been killed in a firey explosion and plane crash in DeKalb, Texas, while on his way to a New Year's Eve Concert in Dallas. It sincerely pained me to read that bulletin and report the story, but I dedicated the rest of my show that night to Rick.
As a Special "thank you" to all of the fantastic viewers & vistors who have sent so many eMails and kind words about my WebSite, Airchecks, stories, pix, et al, and have complimented us about what we're doing on this Site, I've set up a Special Page which contains PART 1 of that rare, Exclusive, October, 1981 Interview with Rick so that I can share it with all of you.
This special Interview was locked away in my private Archives for over 25 years, and had never been heard publicly since I originally aired it in 1981. In it, Rick tells about his early years and about how he decided to record, what became, his first record and a MILLION SELLER. The song was "I'm Walkin' ". I hope you enjoy it, and remember what a GREAT Legend that this gifted, talented, man was.
Thanks again, Rick. You were the BEST ! JK
(Rick's Star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. It's at 1515 Vine Street, Hollywood, U.S.A. )
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SPECIAL NOTE: TO HEAR A RARE BROADCAST FROM MY SERIES "THE BREAKFAST SERIAL", starring Rick Nelson, and his entire family, Ozzie, Harriet, and brother David, just click-on and listen to one of my all-time favorite Holiday Shows: "OZZIE & HARRIET": "HALLOWEEN,1948".
It's Episode 1 from that show and it's available to you right now ! Here's the link: http://d10514379.u46.c5.ixwebhosting.com/gpage10.html
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NEXT: THE RICK NELSON INTERVIEW, Pt.2
