Nelson is a sibling act founded by
Matthew and
Gunnar Nelson, the twin sons of 1950s teen idol
Rick Nelson. During the early '80s, the brothers joined a heavy metal band called Strange Agents. By the end of the decade, however, the group's name had changed to
Nelson, as the twins were the only remaining members. With
Matthew on bass,
Gunnar on guitar, and a handful of music vets onboard (including guitarist Brett Garsed and former Vinnie Vincent Invasion drummer Bobby Rock),
Nelson made its debut in 1990 with the release of
After the Rain. Filled with polished, radio-friendly pop-metal, the album was a major hit in America, where it sold over a million copies and charted a number one single with "(Can't Live Without Your) Love and Affection." Three additional singles cracked the Top 40.
Despite the success of
Nelson's debut, Geffen Records balked at the band's intended follow-up. Entitled
Imaginator, the proposed album was heavier than its predecessor and sported a conceptual theme. Geffen refused to release the record and sent the brothers back to the drawing board, resulting in a five-year hiatus between the release of
After the Rain and the appearance of the band's sophomore effort,
Because They Can. Musical tastes has changed considerably during that period, and the album fared poorly, causing Geffen to drop the band from its roster.
Matthew and
Gunnar responded by founding their own independent label, Stone Canyon Records, which they named in tribute to their father's band. They then released
Imaginator in 1996, followed by four additional albums.
–
Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi