Nearly 40 years after Ricky Nelson’s tragic death, his sons Matthew and Gunnar Nelson are setting the record straight about the cocaine rumors that haunted their family, revealing the shocking truth behind the media frenzy in their new book What Happened To Your Hair.
The Tragic Day That Rocked Music History
On December 31, 1985, the music world lost one of its most enduring icons when Ricky Nelson‘s private plane crashed near De Kalb, Texas. The 45-year-old singer and actor, along with six members of his band, perished when the Douglas DC-3 aircraft caught fire mid-flight. Both pilots survived the crash, but the tragedy sparked one of entertainment’s most persistent conspiracy theories.
Nelson had risen to fame as a teen idol in the 1950s through his role on his parents’ television show The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, later establishing himself as a legitimate music star with hits like “Poor Little Fool” and “Travelin’ Man.” His death sent shockwaves through the industry and among his devoted fanbase.
The Cocaine Conspiracy That Wouldn’t Die
Almost immediately after the crash, rumors began circulating that members of Nelson’s band had been free-basing cocaine onboard, allegedly causing the fire that led to the tragedy. For decades, this theory haunted the Nelson family legacy, casting a shadow over Ricky’s memory.
In their new book What Happened To Your Hair, identical twins Matthew and Gunnar Nelson finally expose the truth behind these rumors, calling them a “completely fabricated conspiracy” that originated from a single journalist’s misleading interpretation of an investigator’s comment.
The Real Story Behind the Headlines
According to the Nelson brothers, the rumor began when a reporter observed National Transportation Safety Board investigators sifting through luggage in the plane’s cargo hold. When the reporter asked if they were checking for free-basing cocaine, an investigator simply responded, “We check for everything.”
That vague statement became the basis for explosive headlines that spread rapidly through the AP wire, creating a media frenzy that persisted for years. The Nelson brothers reveal that the “cocaine” investigators found was actually hairspray and personal care products belonging to band members.
The brothers write that the rumor only subsided when news anchor Dan Rather publicly refused to continue promoting the unsubstantiated theory, a moment that provided some relief to the grieving family.
The Plane That Meant Everything
Nelson’s DC-3 aircraft held special significance for the singer. Purchased from rock legend Jerry Lee Lewis, Nelson affectionately called it “the flying bus” and felt particularly safe in the World War II-era plane despite his fear of flying.
The Nelson twins reveal their father believed the plane could glide safely to a landing even if both engines failed, a belief that tragically didn’t account for fire-related emergencies. The plane represented Nelson’s independence, allowing him to control his touring schedule and accept shows that would otherwise be logistically impossible.
The Final Conversation That Changed Everything
In one of the book’s most poignant revelations, Matthew and Gunnar share that they were supposed to be on the fatal flight. They had planned to join their father for a Dallas concert but changed plans at the last minute.
Just days before the crash, on December 27, 1985, the brothers had what would become their final conversation with their father after he attended one of their early concerts incognito. Ricky Nelson told his sons, “No, what I mean is, after tonight, I not only love you as my sons, but I admire you as my peers.”
The brothers describe this moment as “one of the best gifts we’ve ever received,” a validation that would shape their own musical careers as they went on to form the successful hard rock duo Nelson in the early 1990s.
A Family Legacy of Entertainment
Gunnar Nelson explains that setting the record straight about their father’s death is part of a larger mission to preserve the Nelson family legacy. “Our whole family was about making people forget about reality,” he muses, referencing the entertainment dynasty that began with his grandparents Ozzie and Harriet Nelson.
The book serves as both a correction of historical record and a celebration of a musical legacy that spans generations. By confronting the cocaine rumors head-on, the Nelson brothers hope to finally give their father the respectful remembrance he deserves.
What Happened To Your Hair? is now available, offering fans an intimate look at one of music’s most enduring families and finally putting to rest the speculation that has clouded Ricky Nelson’s legacy for nearly four decades.
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