Sandy Nelson

Video

Oral History Information

Interview Date
Birth Date
Deceased Date
Job Title
Musician, Drummer

Sandy Nelson was among the small group of musicians who scored a top ten instrument hit record when he recorded "Teen Beat" in 1959.  The song sold a million copies and paved the way for Sandy to become a well-respected studio musician.  He followed up his first hit with another called "Let There Be Drums" which became an anthem for young drummers wanting to play rock and roll.  In 1963 Sandy was in a traffic accident that cost him his leg.  He soon returned to the drums, this time giving up the high hat and focusing on the driving bass drum beat that originally made him a star.