If you were grooving through the vibrant musical landscape of the 1990s, you couldn’t escape the catchy melodies of Nelson. The dynamic twin brothers, Matthew and Gunnar Nelson, burst onto the scene in 1990, captivating audiences with their infectious hits like “(Can’t Live Without Your) Love and Affection,” “After The Rain,” and “More Than Ever.” Their undeniable charm and talent propelled them to the forefront of MTV and the radio airwaves, making them household names.

Discover the Origins of the Iconic Band Nelson

At the heart of Nelson are the talented twin brothers Matthew and Gunnar Nelson, sons of legendary rock star Rick Nelson and grandsons of iconic television figures Ozzie and Harriet Nelson from the beloved show The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. Their upbringing in a creative environment undoubtedly shaped their musical journey and aspirations.

Following the tragic passing of their father in 1985, the brothers caught a break when Lorne Michaels invited them to perform on Saturday Night Live, marking a significant milestone as the first unsigned band to grace the stage. Inspired by this opportunity, they restructured their musical efforts to ensure both brothers would share the spotlight equally, setting the stage for their future success.

After connecting with renowned A&R executive John Kalodner, who played a pivotal role in revitalizing the careers of bands like Aerosmith and Whitesnake, Nelson secured a deal with Geffen Records. This partnership allowed them to assemble a talented backing band for their debut album, solidifying their presence in the music industry.

On their inaugural album, they teamed up with drummer Bobby Rock, guitarist Brett Garsed, keyboardist Paul Mirkovich, and multi-instrumentalist Joey Cathcart. The release of “(Can’t Live Without Your) Love and Affection” in May 1990 skyrocketed to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and reached No. 20 on the Mainstream Rock chart. This success paved the way for the highly anticipated release of their album After the Rain in late June, which peaked at an impressive No. 17.

The title track from the album followed closely, climbing to No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in November 1990, while “More Than Ever” reached No. 14, and a fourth single, “Only Time Will Tell,” peaked at No. 28, showcasing the band’s broad appeal and musical range.

Listen to Nelson’s Hit “(Can’t Live Without Your) Love and Affection”

What Challenges Did Nelson Face After Their Breakthrough?

Following their meteoric rise, Nelson capitalized on their success by embarking on extensive tours, thrilling fans across the nation. However, as they began to work on their follow-up album, they encountered significant pushback from their record label.

While their debut album, After the Rain, featured a polished and upbeat sound, the brothers’ sophomore project, titled Imaginator, aimed for a darker and more conceptual approach. In a candid discussion with Melodic Rock, Gunnar Nelson described this album as a commentary on the media’s dual role in both building artists up and tearing them down.

When they presented Imaginator to the executives at Geffen, they were faced with an ultimatum: either scrap the project and create music more aligned with their debut or risk being released from their contract. This decision weighed heavily on the band.

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Reflecting on the situation, Gunnar recalled that the Geffen executives were apprehensive and eager to distance themselves from the project, fearing its potential implications. “We advocated for Imaginator, believing it reflected the future direction of rock, particularly hard rock. Unfortunately, they did not share our vision,” he lamented. Six months later, the release of Metallica’s Black Album proved our point, as it transcended genres and achieved tremendous crossover success.

What Deeper Themes Were Explored in Imaginator?

Despite its conceptual depth and darker themes, Gunnar Nelson emphasized to Melodic Rock that the core message of Imaginator extended beyond merely critiquing media influence. The album’s essence urged listeners to think independently rather than letting technology and media dictate their tastes and preferences.

“The central theme was about self-empowerment and making conscious choices about what you enjoy, how you perceive the world, and ultimately how you feel,” shared Gunnar. “The Imaginator record challenged the hypnotic allure of relying on media to shape our identities and preferences, encouraging listeners to break free from societal norms.” This profound message reflects the band’s artistic vision and commitment to their craft.

Experience Nelson’s Track “Kiss Me When I Cry”

How Did This Setback Affect Nelson’s Career Trajectory?

“It was a devastating moment, and that decision effectively sidelined Nelson’s career for five years,” admitted Gunnar. As the music industry shifted dramatically towards the rise of grunge, the band faced challenges in releasing any new material following their initial success. In hindsight, Gunnar reflected, “I should have taken the album we were proud of and sought another label. We were actually given that option, and I regret not pursuing it.”

Instead of moving on, the duo chose to stick with Geffen and ultimately released a new album titled Because They Can in 1995, five long years after the success of After the Rain.

Unfortunately, the label’s priorities remained low, as they warned the brothers prior to the album’s release that they would not invest any resources in promoting it. “It was disheartening because listeners who heard the album loved it and expressed how different it was from ATR and lamented the long wait for its release,” Gunnar explained. “This was genuinely good art that deserved a fair chance.” Shortly after its release, they were released from their contract, leading to another chapter of uncertainty.

What New Opportunities Arose for Nelson Post-Geffen?

Remaining steadfast in their belief in Imaginator, the brothers found a new home for the album with Victor Entertainment. While it did not chart, it allowed them to share their artistic vision with fans who had long awaited its release. This marked a turning point, as they took control of their destiny by establishing their own label, Stone Canyon Records.

Under this new banner, they experimented musically, releasing the album The Silence Is Broken in 1997, followed by the pop rock offering Life in 1999. They also ventured beyond the Nelson name, creating music as The Nelsons with the album Brother Harmony and as Matthew and Gunnar Nelson with Like Father, Like Sons in 2000.