Ricky Nelson Twins To Honor Father In Palm Desert

Ricky Nelson's twin sons, Gunnar and Matthew Nelson, will perform a tribute to their late father later this month at the .

The performance of "Ricky Nelson Remembered" is set for Friday, March 23, at 8 p.m. at the Palm Desert theater, includes songs from the late singer, who died in a plane crash in 1985.

"We’re not trying to be Ricky Nelson," Gunnar Nelson said. "... but we’re going out there with the songs of our best friend, our dad, and telling the stories behind the music."

Gunnar Nelson told Patch that the multi-media event will include video footage of the Nelson family, with interviews of celebrities influenced by Ricky Nelson. 

The Nelson family includes their grandparents, Ozzie and Harriet Nelson, who fstarred in the long-running sitcom "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet."

He said he respects his grandparents, who he calls "strong willed people."

"This was a career woman whose star was rising faster than Ozzie when they met. This girl was tough. She had this feeling if they hitched their wagons, it was going to be stronger. They really respected eachother’s skills and talents," Gunnar Nelson said.

Mainly, he added that his entire family, especially his father, Ricky, shared a great love.

"He (Ricky Nelson) could have arguably gone down a much easier path (on television), but he loved music so much … His first love was music," Gunnar Nelson said.

He said the show is more than a story about a family, it's about an American experience.

"We’re able to tell these stories behind the family. What you realize during the course of the show, is this is not just a musical story ... it’s an American story," he said.

The brothers have their own musical story, with their hit single “(Can’t Live Without Your) Love and Affection. (See YouTube video above)

Matthew and Gunnar are no strangers to the desert. They used to spend time out in Desert Hot Springs and other parts of the Coachella Valley.

"It was this little funky six room hotel. The water came right out of the ground and right into the hot tub. It was cheap and fun and refreshing that really became our safe spot," Gunnar Nelson said, adding that he is happy to be coming back.

Tickets are priced at $75, $65, $45 and $25 and are available by calling the McCallum Theatre Box Office at (760) 340-2787 or online at www.mccallumtheatre.com