Rick Nelson - American Dream: Complete Imperial & Verve 1957-62 - Music & Performance - CD

'They call me a teenage idol...' Ricky Nelson sang in 1962. And of course he was the prototypical teenage idol. Already one of the most familiar faces on American television, he cut his first single at the age of seventeen. That single, I'm Walkin', quickly amassed impressive sales and launched a career that would span three decades. A fan of Sun rockabilly, Ricky assembled his own band with a fabulous rock 'n' roll sound, featuring guitarist James Burton, who would join him in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He drew songs from some of the era's greatest writers, including Johnny and Dorsey Burnette, Baker Knight, Gene Pitney, and Johnny Cash. And just in case anyone thought that the family sitcom made Ricky Nelson a star, it's worth remembering that the show wasn't broadcast outside the United States, but Ricky was an international star, an influence on Cliff Richard, and an early favorite of Paul McCartney, among many others. This boxed set was 25 years in the making! Ever since Bear Family Records started, we've wanted to do the complete Ricky Nelson recordings on Verve and Imperial. Few artists had the consistency... and few were as influential. But we didn't want to do an incomplete job so we waited until we had access to all the original masters and session tapes so that we could do it absolutely right. Now we're ready, and here's what we found! Every Ricky Nelson recording for Verve and Imperial in pristine original sound quality from the original tapes! The very rare Challenge recordings with the Fleas and Throphies featuring Ricky. Many titles in stereo as well as mono! Many previously unissued alternate takes, not included on the recent boxed set or elsewhere! Sessions with false starts and incomplete takes. We'll take you to Master Recorders for a Ricky Nelson session! Rare TV performances, including duets with Lorrie Collins of the Collins Kids. Rare movie performances including a duet with Dean Martin! An incredible hardcover book with many previously unpublished photos and a newly researched biography by Los Angeles-based music journalist Todd Everett! New 3-track mixes by Bill Inglot. Do we need to say more? Yes we do: The production and final mastering is done by the 'One and Only Bob Jones!' Did we forget to mention hits? They're all here: I'm Walkin', Be-Bop Baby, Stood Up, Waitin' In School, Believe What You Say, My Bucket's Got A Hole In It, Poor Little Fool, Lonesome Town, I Got A Feelin', Never Be Anyone Else But You, It's Late, Just A Little Too Much, Travelin' Man, Hello Mary Lou, A Wonder Like You, Young World, Teenage Idol, It's Up To You, Today's Teardrops... and many more!