Ricky is the debut album by American actor and rock and roll musician Ricky Nelson, released in November 1957. it features a mix of pop and rock and roll songs,[3] it also features a covers of Carl Perkins, Cole Porter's[4], and Jerry Lee Lewis[3]
The album made its first appearance on the Billboard Best Selling Pop LPs chart in the issue dated November 11 of that year and remained on the album chart for 33 weeks, spending 2 consecutive weeks at number one,[5] becoming the first solo artist to chart under the age of 18.[6] It also debuted on the Cashbox albums chart in the issue dated November 16, of that year, and remained on the chart for a total of 25 weeks, spending 2 consecutive weeks also at number 1.[7] Three singles were released from the album: "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?", "Be-Bop Baby", and "If You Can't Rock Me". They peaked at No. 29, No. 5, and No. 100 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.[8], "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?", "Be-Bop Baby",also reached numbers 21, and 6, respectively, on the Cashbox Singles Chart[9]
The album was released on compact disc for the first time by Capitol Records on June 19, 2001, as tracks 1 through 12 on a pairing of two albums on one CD with tracks 16 through 27 consisting of Nelson's 1958 album Ricky Nelson.[10]
Reception
A contemporary review by AllMusic described the album as "derivative" but that Nelson sings "rhythmically in his smooth voice, negotiating the rock & roll beat with far greater ease than Pat Boone" and that he "display[s] the combination of natural pop instincts and genuine rock & roll feel that set him apart from the burgeoning pack of Elvis Presley imitators"[1]
