The Life of Beloved Star Ricky Nelson and His Tragic Demise

With the Stone Canyon Band, Rick became part of the developing Southern California country-rock scene. His mixture of country instrumentation and rock songwriting arrived as Los Angeles musicians were beginning to create the sound that would later make groups such as the Eagles enormously successful.

The shift did not restore the mass popularity Rick had enjoyed as a teenager, but it brought him growing respect as a serious musician willing to change with his own interests. He was no longer simply chasing his old hits. Yet some longtime fans were far less prepared to accept how different he had become.