Songwriters Hall of Fame

Ozzie Nelson, immortalized by the role of Ozzie in the long running show Ozzie and Harriet, was also one of the most popular bandleaders and singers of the 1930’s.

Nelson’s first success was as a 1930’s sweet-band leader of the Ozzie Nelson Orchestra. The orchestra featured singers Harriet Hilliard and Rose Ann Stevens, trombonist Abe Lincoln and Harry Johnson on trumpet. Recording for Brunswick, the orchestra had over 35 top twenty hits including “About a Quarter to Nine” (#3, 1935), “I’ll Never Say ‘Never Agai’ Again” (#4, 1935), ‘And Then Some’ (#1, 1935), “Is It True What They Say About Dixie?” (#4, 1936), “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” (#6, 1937), “Roses in December” (#3, 1937), “You Can’t Stop Me From Dreaming” (#5, 1937), “Says My Heart” (#5, 1938), “Change Partners” (#6, 1938), “At Long Last Love” (#3, 1938), “Little Skipper” (#3, 1939), “White Sails (Beneath a Yellow Moon)” (#2, 1939) and “Strange Enchantment” (#8, 1939).

From 1944 to 1952, Nelson and his wife Harriet Hilliard appeared on radio in the comedy show Ozzie and Harriet, which was later turned into the long running television sitcom and often featured their sons David and Ricky. The show ended in 1966 and in 1975, Nelson died at the age of 68.