Rocky Nelson
Rocky Nelson
Biography of the American Jazz Singer and Actor
Full Name and Common Aliases
Rocky Nelson was born March 14, 1913, and his full name was Leon Shulman. He is also known as Leon "Rocky" Nelson.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on March 14, 1913, in New York City, USA. Unfortunately, we do not have accurate information about the date of his passing.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Nationality: American
Profession(s): Jazz Singer, Actor
Early Life and Background
Rocky Nelson began singing professionally at a very young age. His early life is often shrouded in mystery but it is reported that he sang with dance bands to make ends meet during the 1920s.
In his late teens, Nelson moved to New York City where he continued to hone his craft as a jazz singer and worked on various music projects before transitioning into acting.
Major Accomplishments
Rocky Nelson's most notable role was that of Alfie Evans in the 1945 film "A Song for Miss Julie". He also sang with the popular dance band, "The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra", where he gained a reputation as an accomplished jazz singer.
Nelson continued to work in both music and acting throughout his career. His smooth baritone voice made him stand out as a versatile artist capable of handling various musical styles from swing to blues.
Notable Works or Actions
Some notable works by Rocky Nelson include "A Song for Miss Julie" (1945), "Mister 880" (1950), and the Broadway production of "Billion Dollar Baby".
He sang with numerous popular jazz bands, including Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw, cementing his place in music history.
Impact and Legacy
Rocky Nelson's legacy as both an actor and singer has endured. He paved the way for future generations of artists by breaking new ground in various genres.
As a skilled vocalist with an impeccable sense of timing, Rocky Nelson played a significant role in shaping American music during the mid-20th century.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Rocky Nelson is widely remembered today because of his impressive contributions to both music and film. His exceptional talent as a singer and actor made him stand out from his contemporaries.
Many remember Rocky Nelson for "A Song for Miss Julie" where he showcased his acting range in the lead role.
Quotes by Rocky Nelson

I don't know if they were looking ahead. But we respect them. They had a great win over Lexington and were very impressive. They have some outstanding backs and appear to have changed their offense. We can't overlook anyone.

They completed some passes on that first series and scored, but I felt we would be OK. Then we moved the ball on our possession and I had some good vibes after that.

Reading was ready to play and they did a great job defensively. The first half we had unbelievable field position but we did nothing with it.

Ryan was a triple threat for us. He could run, pass, and kick. He was a great receiver as a junior and a very athletic quarterback. He threw well over 100 passes for us and never got picked off. Ryan was a competitive kid who had a great high school career.

I've never seen that in 36 years with two injuries like that (in one position) in the same game. McLaughlin has a fractured collarbone, but could be back in four-five weeks. Young's is a little more serious; his is broken.

I've watched (Dan) Walsh play several times, and I saw him in camp this past summer, and I know he's an outstanding athlete. He throws the ball well to his receivers, and he can also run the ball as well.

The schedule says we have to play Burlington first, and there's nothing you can do about that. They are the defending Middlesex League champs, with a great program and great players and coaches, and I think this game will have great implications on how the Middlesex League turns out.

Duggan is the ultimate team player. His natural position is receiver. His punting and our punt coverage have been consistent all season long and have been instrumental in our getting good field position.

We saw what teams like Chelmsford and others do by scheduling tough non-league games. Chelmsford got blown out by Gloucester, but still won their league. Non-league games don't hurt you, but they certainly can get you ready for your league season.
