Sandy Nelson – born Sander Nelson on December 1, 1938, in Santa Monica, California – was a rock drummer who was a popular session musician as well as a solo artist / band leader who scored several Top 40 hits under his own name. He attended high school with Jan Berry and Dean Torrance (better known as Jan and Dean) and future producer / music industry mover and shaker Kim Fowley. Sandy Nelson’s first studio recording was “Geronimo” by the Renegades, a super group of future stars including Richard Podolor, Bruce Johnston, and Nick Venet. Earning respect as a session drummer, Sandy Nelson played on classic hits such as the Teddy Bears' "To Know Him Is To Love Him" (1958), the Hollywood Argyles' "Alley Oop" (1960 ), and “A Thousand Stars” by Kathy Young and the Innocents (1960). He achieved his biggest solo success with the release of his single “Teen Beat” (1959), which sold more than a million copies and reached Number 4 on the Billboard charts. After signing with the Imperial label, he had two other major hits with "Let There Be Drums" (1961) and "Drums Are My Beat" (1962). Sandy Nelson was the victim of a terrible motorcycle accident in 1963 which resulted in the amputation of his right foot and part of his leg. However, he continued his career, recording numerous albums consisting mostly of covers of current hits, with only a few compositions. Sandy Nelson died on February 14, 2022, at the age of 83, following a stroke.
