The Life of Beloved Star Ricky Nelson and His Tragic Demise

By 1969, Rick had spent several years moving toward country music, and he finally created a band designed around that direction. The Stone Canyon Band blended country, rock, and the rockabilly influences that had shaped his earliest records.

Its musicians included future Eagles bassist Randy Meisner and steel guitarist Tom Brumley, who had previously played with Buck Owens. Instead of relying on session players chosen around him, Rick now had a group built for the music he wanted to make. The change would soon place him surprisingly close to one of rock’s biggest new movements.