What Happened To RICK NELSON? Crashed Plane & Crash Site 

Rick was a good guy and musician - I went to see him at last minute when he & band came to our California town in the 1980’s. I loved the music, I stayed to the very end and Rick was the last one on the stage. I went over to him (he was exhausted) and he was SO NICE to give me an autograph - he smiled and seemed genuinely glad to meet another fan. He thanked me for coming to his show - what a smile!

My dad was a journalist and got to interview him in his limo, not too long before Ricky passed. Dad says he was one of the nicest down-to-earth guys he’d ever met. Still has his autographed photo framed.

Great video. My aunt use to write to him as a teen and he’d write her back. She was a huge huge fan of his. She still has the letters.

I am so Thankful Ricky came to my town and did a concert in our water park downtown, it was like you could reach out and touch him, he then got on a small flat bottom boat came across the channel, shook hands, and hugged people just like a regular Joe. It was an awesome experience I only wish he didn't have to leave us so soon. R.I.P Ricky, You are still Loved and Missed dearly. Peace.

to this day I use that motto in my daily life "can't please everyone so you got to please yourself" RIP Rick.

Rick Nelson was an incredible musician, loved his music all my life, you were so lucky to see his twins perform a tribute to Rick.RIP to all that perished😿😿😿

Its so awesome to see how gracious and helpful the museum was the help you out to the crash site, and to pay tribute to yet another musician who sadly died to young. Thanks Jordan for yet another awesome historic vlog to watch in the morning. Ive thoroughly enjoyed watching you every morning for over 2 years now. Cheers, my friend.

I was a Police Officer in DeKalb when this happened. I was the first officer on scene and I tried to get to the plane but the heat was so intense I could only get about 100 feet away.

Welcome to my neck of the woods! I live 10 miles west of De Kalb, but at the time of the crash, I was living in Dallas. I remember when it happened. I was on my way to a new year's party, and I had the car radio tuned in to KLUV, the oldies radio station in Dallas. It so happened that KLUV was sponsoring the show that Ricky was going to play. The emcee of the night, Hubcap Carter, interfered the song playing and said something to the effect of "Dateline: De Kalb, Texas, we just got word that Ricky Nelson's plane has crashed and the only survivors were the pilot and co-pilot". My dad and his family grew up on a farm in the DeKalb area and it grabbed my attention. We were all fans of the Nelson family and was saddened that Rick lost his life in our ancestral hometown area.

Thanks Jordan for clarifying a lot of the rumors on Rick Nelson’s death and touching heroism towards his fiancee. I used to like watching Ricky Nelson sing at the end of each Ozzie & Harriet episode. Nice to see Jah is still with you too❣️🙏🏻🌹

Little credited fact - Rick Nelson - along with Michael Nesmith of the Monkees - was a pioneer of the Southern Rock/Country Rock genre - bands like The Eagles, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Marshall Tucker Band, etc., owe their legacy to these gentlemen. Another not so well known fact - Randy Meisner - the original bassist of the Eagles and also of Poco - was an early member of the Stone Canyon Band.

I remember that night...such a shock and 💔 Thank you for taking us along. RIP Rick, Helen and those with them that died. 🙏🙏💗💗💗💗💗💗

The ending at the crash site was very moving. Also the lady and gentleman in the museum were very generous. A lovely tribute.

I remember reading one of his sons say that he was driving in his car and they were playing "Garden Party" on the radio. His son was singing along happy to hear one of his dad's songs, but when the song ended the DJ announced that Rick had just died in a plane crash. This is how his son heard his dad had died. I can only imagine how horrible that must have been. Rick Nelson had a great voice and deserves to be remembered as more than the teen idol he's sometimes remembered as. He sure had a great guitar player, too, with James Burton. RIP Rick Nelson.

I went in 2010 to see the plane and crash site. The plane was sitting outside on the ground at the time. I remember it being a very eerie and sad feeling there but glad to be able to pay my respects there. Great job Vlogging this. This brought back a lot of memories on this trip.

Wow! You weren’t kidding that I would love ❤️ this vlog. Really caring and dedicated people that run his museum. Enjoyed seeing the pictures of his kids at the museum. Great to hear new information I never heard before. Great job Jordan!

Enjoyed that, always wanted to see the crash site. I met Rick and the Stone Canyon band at Grannys Dinner Play House in Dallas 1980. He gave me two autographs, one during a break, and one outside while waiting for his ride, him and his girl friend, he was very nice, i enjoyed visiting with him, he was in no rush. Great memory!

I also recall when this happened. Its incredible to see the crash sight and part of the plane. I never knew any of this was around especially such a large section of the plane! WOW! Great job man and thanks for taking us along!

Thank-you SO much!! I wish there was more to be seen but I am so happy you made this vlog. You did a great job as always. Like the lady in the video mentioned, I have been & will forever be a Rick Nelson fan first and foremost. He had it all.

Hi Jordan, such a sad story. I was surprised at the actual size of the wreckage. Nice of them to take you to the site aswell. Great vlog Jordan.

Thanks for sharing Jordan! My best friend and I thought about getting tickets to his show when he came through our area a couple of weeks before. We had so much going on at Christmas time, we just didn't! Thinking we'd see him "next time". Then that New Year's Eve, we were at a movie theater. The whole place started buzzing as word spread that Rick Nelson had died in a plane crash! We were so devastated! 😢 😭 😿 💕

When I was a kid, I went with my Mom & Dad to a fair in a city near us called Kamloops (in the southern interior of British Columbia, Canada)...We got to see Rick and his band perform in this big tent. That was around 1980, a few years before he sadly passed....We were there early and were sitting up front and the show was awesome. Rick sang all his songs and I'll never forget that and being so close to him! He has that same magical charisma that Elvis had.....Cheers from Canada and *LOVE* your vlogs!😎👍❤

I remember when Ricky died. I'd just come home from the skating rink with my friends. My Granny was up waiting for me. She knew how much I loved his music. She told me about the crash. I cried.

I remember the night this happened like it was yesterday. It was New Year's Eve and I was babysitting. I recall walking home and feeling devastated. Such a sad, sad story. Thanks for sharing it with us and thanks to the people who opened the museum for you.

Bobby Neal (Rick's guitar player who also perished in the crash) was a good friend of ours, and we were devastated when we heard the sad news. Thankfully, we had the good fortune to attend their performance about a year before the crash...

Great video Jordan!! This one hits home for me because I went to junior high and high school with Mr. Neal’s step-daughter in West Memphis, AR. I’ll never forget going to her house the night of the crash with a group of friends. Thank you for this great tribute!! Steve in Santa Monica 🙏

Such a sad vlog. He had really come into his own with his music. I remember when this happened. So nice that they opened the museum for you and took you to the crash site. You find the nicest people.

I loved Ricky. We were friends with one of the actors who was on the show. He was the boys friend. Ozzie had a hard time with names so alot of the actors on the show went by their real first names. Thought I would share that.

What a tastefully done vlog, Jordan, I would expect nothing less from you. Your respect of the topic and of all the people involved is always A+. Thank you! I remember having to stay home that New Years Eve having my only bout in life with, tonsillitis. My husband still went out, and I stayed home with my son. I slept most of the night. The next day finding out about Ricky crushed me, I felt like I was his biggest fan (maybe of my age). When I heard I was stunned, I turned to my husband, who had told me and I stuttered and asked why (meaning to ask how), and I'll never forget what happened next...in front of all his friends he turned to me and yelled at me, I don't know why, how the hell would I know? I felt so awful. Thank you for this vlog, Jordan, thank you! 🌼

Well I missed the live chat. Ricky Nelsons name was always marred by that rumor of drug use in the plane. Thank you Jordan for setting us straight on this. Matt and Gunner are the nicest guys too!

Thank you for this video, as sad as it was. Rick remembered but not forgotten. RIP, Rick and those that lost their lives.

Wow, absolutely great video! It's so tragic but I'm so glad that they are trying to keep the history of Ricky alive! Thanks Jordan

Thank you for this Jordan. I remember hearing about the crash when they broke in with the news New Year's Eve. They were so kind to open up and take you out to the site as well. It"s a shame there is no plaque our there. Have a great day, my friend. Blessings - Judith 🎵🎭

I met him when I was 22. My friend was a photographer for his band. I went back stage. I was too scared to say a word to him. He wasn’t friendly. But I’ll never forget meeting him.

Wow, a great vlog. Thanks for sharing all your knowledge about Rick Nelson and the plane crash. So sad. He always seemed like a nice guy. I love the story that Bob Dylan told him to write his own music and I remember his sons telling that story in a previous vlog. Also, heartbreaking that he died protecting his fiancée from the fire. Rest in piece Rick. Thanks Jordan.

My wife and my father-in-law (both now deceased) attended a concert performance by Nelson in Seattle (this was probably about a year or less before the NYE tragedy). Afterwards the two of them were able to get backstage to meet Nelson and spoke w/ him for a few minutes (Debbie had real chutzpah!).

As usual...your video was extraordinary!!! Since I am 72, I grew up with Ricky and his family!!! I admired him greatly and still have some of his 45's !!! He was a great singer and performer!!! Thank you for taking us to the museum. I never even knew it existed. It was a sad but interesting story.

Nelson was the ultimate combination of incredible looks, musical creativity and a loving father.

What a great tribute to Ricky Nelson - another talent lost way too soon.

This was such a sad and tragic day for music once again. Watching the footage brought back so many memories. We always play the albums when a great legend like Ricky Nelson passes as a tribute. He was such an outstanding performer, and that voice oooh wee amazing. Thankyou Jordan, Jah and Carolyn and the museum for allowing us to here and see this fine collection . And taking us all to the location site where it sadly ended for all 6 victims much appreciated. RIP ⚘️ ⚘️ ⚘️ ⚘️ ⚘️ ⚘️

Great Vlog Jordan! How Wonderful that you got to see the museum and the Crash Site Memorial of Ricky Nelson. You always have great vlogs, and I really enjoy them.

Saw Mr Nelson and his band at the Albert Hall in London in the 80's on a package tour. They were an astonishing good band, they weren't at all loud, but you could hear every instrument as clear as a bell. It was like listening to a quality hi-fi system. I'll never forget it. God bless him and the others that died.

I remember hearing about the crash on the news, and reading about it in the paper. So sad. And 28 days later, the Challenger space shuttle was lost. (Jan Griffiths).

Thank you for this video, Jordan! I grew up a fan of Ricky as well as Elvis and never knew the connection with James Burton. This was another sad moment in music history and I appreciate you locating this museum and doing this tribute to him.

I read a biography of him. He was paying heavy California alimony so he couldn't afford a better plane. Years ago some guy attacked me on RU-vid for saying that. His assumption was Rick had access to, "The Nelson Family Fortune" but that wasn't how it was. When his dad, Ozzie, found out he had terminal cancer, he called the entire family into his office for a meeting. He was sick, but he came in, wearing his bath robe, sat at his desk, and read his entire will aloud to everyone. Then he asked if there were any questions. Long story short, yes Ricky and Dave got something, but most of it went to their mother, Harriet. So, Ricky was stuck in that plane which scared everyone in the band, including Rick himself, because of money and that's how it happened. He was flying into Dallas, where I was living, and it made literally everybody sad. What a way to start a New Year. Hi to all other Nelson fans and thanks for reading this.

Rick was a cousin of mine and Bobby was a very good friend. I spent many a night on tour with them. Rick was a very kind soul and was also not above pranking- cutting up. Bobby also a very solid down to earth guy. I remember the rumors of free basing on the plane. Rick was working hard writing new music.. What a great loss.

During that time in the 80’s and 90’s I belonged to an oldies show band in Oklahoma and opened for many acts of the early days of RnR. We opened for Rick just a few months before the crash. My brother was the MC that night and was warned NOT to introduce him as Ricky!! Only Rick. The night of that horrible crash our band was setting up for our NEW YEARS show when we heard the news. We were in shock. Thank you Jordan for another A+ vlog. Loved seeing our boy Jah!!!

This was fascinating. I didn't even know any of the plane still existed. Thank you for the tour!

Great job Jordan. Your knowledge and attention to detail is impeccable and appreciated. Thank you!

That was so sad, but so awesome to see the plane. I loved Rick Nelson! I was such a fan. My top teen idols were him and David Cassidy.Ty Jordan for taking me along. Great to see Jah! Take care and see you soon❤

Thank you for sharing, Jordan. As I watched this vlog, I couldn't help but think about Ricky's song Gypsy Pilot and of his premonition of his untimely death. The end of the song actually sounds like a plane crash yet alot of his songs, related to flying. He will always be in our hearts and never forgotten. RIP Ricky Nelson. 🎶🎵🙏

A sad one but an amazing one!! So enjoyed this so much!! Thank you Jordan!! Always a fan of the Nelson family!!

FAA relied on us for tech support reguarding the cabin heater. It was a very old Janitrol system. It had previous overheat conditions prior to the mishap.

Another great video! I always enjoy watching your vlogs, being a musician yourself you're showing all the places I would visit if I had the resources to do so. I also appreciate the reverence in which you present your stories. I remain a devoted fan and wish you and Jah continued good health, well being and success!

I had always heard/believed the drug rumor. Thank you for spreading the facts. I went to his concert as a kid and always had liked his music.

💋Great memorial vlog on Ricky Nelson. You are so right about certain things telling a story not just being morbid. Blessings to you and Jah. ~Love&Light♥️Carli

Jordan when we heard about Dan Blocker " (Hause Cartwright) passed we were on our way south on vacation with our 4 little ones. We stopped at gas station in DeKalb to ask where Dan was buried. It was evening getting dark but we found cemetery and I alone got out of car with flashlight. I found his grave. And put silk flowers on it. Later now I saw his grave with the nice tombstone . Big memory of mine. 🐴🐎🐴

This is such an incredible Vlog; both compelling and sad. I well remember when this happened, and still feel that sadness when I think about it. Jordan, I really liked your interview with Carolyn, hearing more details about that night, and seeing the crash site. Well done!!

Heartbreaking news about the sad ending of Ricky Nelson and his band. Since there is no official memorial thank God this lady and her husband have their museum. RIP Rick Nelson and the members of his band and fiance'.

Ricky Nelson had been in guntersville Alabama visiting a good friend,and performing at his establishment. Pat Upton who was the former lead singer of a 60s band "spiral starecase", which also had a hit record, "I love you more today than yesterday", Guntersville was Pat Upton's hometown, he owned a bar and music venue there. Ricky Nelson stayed his last night alive at a nearby motel, now the Wyndham Gardens, where he stayed in room 106 (Ricky Nelson Room) which is now preserved pretty much as it was when Ricky Nelson left it December 31st 1985

Excellent report, Jordan! I am hoping to visit DeKalb one day. I’ve visited Lubbuck at least 3 times when I’ve been in TX. because of Buddy Holly, of course. This stuff is fascinating.

I was recently in a Ricky Nelson mood and watched some of the old TV shows from when he was very young. He was impish in a good way. It was fun to see how life used to be. I wish it was still that way sometimes. His parents ran the TV show around their kids school and activity schedule. Ozzie and Harriet weren’t the typical Hollywood stage parents. Thanks for the great vlog! It’s someplace I would have never gone to. I have never been to Texas.

You are amazing Jordan. You will be remembered for all these iconic episodes...so very many of them!...of these people that we loved so much in our lives. Thank you again for all you do. J

Another great vlog as always Jordan Love watching your channel. I have been to museum myself and to the crash site and also to Dan Blockers grave. If you are still in the area I have always wondered if there was a sign or plague in Natchitoches Louisiana where Jim Croce plane crashed at the Natchitoches Airport. Hope you are having a great time in Texas. Safe travels buddy.

Thank you so much for doing this, Jordan. I was born in 1948, and, of course, was a major Ricky/Rick Nelson fan. When I got Pandora, I loaded on all of the Ricky/Rick Nelson songs I could find. I listen to them when I'm driving. I listen to other artists, too, but don't have any Elvis stuff. As things came out about Elvis, I just didn't want to listen to his music anymore. I am so sad Rick Nelson is gone, but his sons are a credit to his memory.

Thank you Jordan love this video and it was something to see part of the airplane that Ricky Nelson was on. It was good to hear you tell his story for people who did know about it. It was a pleasure to see how favorite pup jah taking a stroll.

I really loved Rick’s voice. When he released the song Hello Mary Lou I thought it was pretty cool to have a song with my name in it. However, after hearing my brothers playing the 45 record over and over I got tired of it for a while. Great job on this vlog Jordan.

It’s a shame that the owners of the other pieces of plane don’t ‘Loan’ them to her to put on display….as far as the telephone pole, to bad the owner won’t agree to take it out and replace it with a plaque of the plane crash, or a statue, nothing readable that people would trespass to read…😢 Enjoyed the video, museum was very knowledgeable…Love James Burton, have met him several times at Graceland 🎸❤️

Thank you for another amazing presentation. I offer this; the advent of social media nullified the exercise of comparing one recording artist with another because the digital landscape offers an equal opportunity for all artists from Mario Lanza's recordings of 1901, to the individual who croaked into their microphone yesterday. Thank you, Mr. Rick Nelson & The Stone Canyon Band. Rest in Peace.

That was so nice of them to open the museum and take you to the crash site.

Looking at the wreckage it's a miracle the pilots survived!

You are so dang good at what you do Jordan. Love watching your videos…Have been for years! Keep it up. 🤗👌🏼

I remember that night well. Was watching Dick Clark's Rockin' Eve and then the newsflash came across about Ricky's plane. So very sad. What an amazing vlog on this, Jordan. Thank you!!

The unique inquisitive perspective of your narration in your videos is what makes your channel so fabulous!

According to one of the pilots, there was no actual “crash” the way most of us envision one. The plane landed upright on its own gear. Other than a little wing damage from clipping the pole, the rest of the damage was all related to the fire. Nelson and his band mates were likely dead or unconscious before the plane rolled to a stop as the fire was already quite severe in the passenger area. The pilots only got out because they could jump from the cockpit windows. If you’ve seen a DC3 in person, that’s not a small jump to make. The DC3 is built like a tank. It’s a testament to its design that it even was able to land. Most aircraft with a severe fire on board wouldn’t last as long as that DC3 did.

I love places like this and people who love history. My Mom was a huge Ricky fan. I truly loved this one on such a sad event.

Ricky (Rick) Nelson was a popular music artist with a lot of hits, thanks for doing this video.

It was emotional for me, because me and Ricky had our moment at Carrowinds, a theme park in Charlotte NC, he stopped singing to talk to me, oh yes he did, as I walked up to take his picture! He was so sweet, I could not believe, he stopped singng to speak to me! He was dressed in black that day, I still have a very old small photo of him, but can hardly see it good, I had bigger photos made, but they got lost over the years! Can't remember his exact words to me but is was something about how he was happy to stop his show so I can take his picture, he was complimenting how pretty I was! I was devastated, when I hear the news on the radio that New Years Eve about him dying!

Fascinating episode, as always. I'm so glad you made this video, and what a wonderful couple looking after the museum with its brilliant articles relating to Rick Nelson. Rick and the others in the plane must have just been terrified. So sad. I don't know, all this just struck me with a great deal of sadness.

Very well done vlog to clarify what happened to Ricky Nelsons plane I can believe he would've been trying to comfort and protect his fiancee to the end. Such a terribly sad fact. Thank you and the people that are willing to share their knowledge. I would think a permanent suitable memorial would been placed on the spot. Thank you Jordan and Jah .

Grew up watching Ozzie & Harriet, Ricky Nelson’s songs then Garden Party. Sad story handled well by you. Hugs to Jah !

Another excellent video Jordan, thanks!! I believe your sincerity and respect shines through to all these people who open up to you along the way!

Awesome job on the Vlog! I still am a big fan of Ricky Nelson and his son's. I grew up watching and listening to Ricky. Sad seeing the crash site and the Museum, regardless of how tragic it is.

What a lovely lady and man who took you to the crash site and hosted you at the museum.

I kid you not..I was in a commuter plane from Texarkana Texas to Dallas that day. Our pilots were communicating with their pilots. I could hear them saying “get oxygen, get oxygen”….We turned around in the sky and went back and circled it. I could see a plane on the ground burning. I asked the pilots if anyone survived and they mentioned the pilots were still alive. Ours were talking to them. If I’m right it was strewn across a road or something. It wasn’t until I landed in Ontario Ca that I found out it was Ricky Nelson. Ironic I have to fly back to Texarkana on this coming Monday, first time since that evening.

Hi Jordan, thank you so much for taking us with you on your quest to peer back thru history. It's one thing to read articles about people & places, but it means so much more to virtually tag along with you. It just feels much more real as it should. Ricky Nelson was a little before my time, but at 3 years old my older brother would leave the house in the morning to go to work. He was the only one in our family who had a wooden cabinet type stereo/record player. like 33 rpm/45 rpm, I wasn't allowed in his room but loved music, everyday after he left i was in his room playing every record he owned, over and over againuntil i learned every song he owned. One of them was Ricky Nelson's "Garden Party"

Just excellent reporting for Ricky's millions of fans. Undeniably unforgettable icon. It is the reason his musical talents and contributions were ageless.

Wow what timing!!! Just yesterday I was watching the life and time of Rick Nelson. I am going to enjoy watching this. Thank you Jordan!!!!!👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

Thank you Jordan for a fabulous video. I am an Australian and had heard of Ricky Nelson but really knew nothing of his story. Loved your interview with his beautiful son, Gunnar, speaking about his years in the Errol Flynn house. This museum is a little gem, as is the lovely lady showing you around! Loved that Jah made a cameo too!

I was living alone in Chicago, watching TV, on New Year’s Eve, 1985, when news of the crash was announced. I had grown up watching “Ozzie & Harriet”, & what I thought of first was that from then on, Harriet would never be able to celebrate New Year’s again. Whenever people die on birthdays or holidays, those celebrations are finished. Somehow that multiplies the tragedy, adding another layer of sorrow. RIP!

Wow you always have really interesting videos, I remember when that happened, Ricky was such a amazing man and very talented. RIP Ricky 🙏

I was up on New Year's eve when they came up that Ricky Nelson's plane crashed. It was so sad,but I do believe him and everyone else that passed are at peace. They'll be remembered. I'm from Texas. Oh why do we lose so many singers this way?

Rick Nelson was a great singer had a beautiful voice.I remember him in the 70s, when I was a kid, my mom Joyce Parsons played his songs back then.May Rick Nelson RIP 💐 And my mom Joyce Parsons ,was82passed away in November 13,2020,RIP💐

Yes it is sad, you did a very respectful job, thank you .

Hi Jordan. I have missed your videos. I'm subscribed to a lot of different channels now, so I had to search for you. Dang, Ricky Nelson. Boy did I and about a million other women have a crush on him. Such a sad day when he died. Thank you for another beautiful yet sad, trip down memory lane. I love the couple you talk to and take you to the area of the crash site.

Thanks for remembering Ricky, Jordan. He doesn't get enough credit for his talent and the music he made.

On New Year’s Eve 1985, I was watching and recording “The Benny Goodman Story” off of a cable channel (probably WTBS or WGN) on our old vcr. It must’ve been in the first hour of 1986, a news crawl/ticker came across the bottom of the screen announcing the crash. I still have the tape buried in storage somewhere. It hit me pretty hard because I grew up from age 5 listening to oldies & watching reruns of Ozzie and Harriet.

Man,it's a sinister pattern, musicians and aircraft disasters, sickening,who's the people responsible for signing off these doomed planes as aero mechanically safe.i mean,some person or person's must walk around the plane with a check sheet ticking off and air test the thing ,you would like to think regularly anyway ,before being chartered out to clients, but no,cutting corners,cost the lives of these people . RIP Rick Nelson RIP band mates ,RIP Helen.

Thank you for this awesome video! Thoroughly enjoyed it.

Well done as always thank you having part of the plane really surprised me