Matthew and Gunnar Nelson, the famous rock musicians behind the 1990s chart-topping band Nelson, were born on September 20, 1967. As of 2026, the Nelson twins are 58 years old. They are the twin sons of iconic 1950s pop star Rick Nelson and actress Kristin Nelson, establishing a deep-rooted legacy in American entertainment history.
Knowing how old are the nelson twins offers a quick snapshot into their enduring career, which spans over three decades in the music industry. They shot to global fame in 1990 with their debut album After the Rain and its runaway number-one single, "(Can't Live Without Your) Love and Affection." Today, they continue to record, tour, and connect with fans who grew up watching their MTV music videos.
Early Life and Musical Roots
Growing up in a prominent show business family shaped Matthew and Gunnar's path early on. Their father, Rick Nelson, was a teen idol and rock-and-roll pioneer, while their grandfather, Ozzie Nelson, and grandmother, Harriet Nelson, starred in the long-running television sitcom The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet.
Music became part of their daily routine before they even entered their teens. According to interviews over the years, the brothers began writing and playing music together around the age of six. They spent their formative years in Los Angeles surrounded by instruments, eventually forming early iterations of rock bands during the 1980s club scene before landing their breakthrough record deal with Geffen Records.
The Rise to Global Stardom
When their debut album dropped in 1990, the twins made music history. Their signature look—featuring waist-length blonde hair—combined with soaring vocal harmonies captured the final peak of the melodic hard rock and glam metal era.
- The Billboard Success: Their lead single hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100, making them third-generation entertainers to reach the top of the charts.
- Family Legacy: They achieved a Guinness World Record alongside their father and grandfather for being the only family to produce number-one records across three successive generations.
- Constant Touring: Despite shifting musical trends in the mid-1990s with the rise of grunge, the brothers never stopped performing, adapting their style to include acoustic shows and classic rock tribute performances.
Life Behind the Scenes and Modern Career
As they navigated adulthood, both brothers balanced their public personas with personal milestones. Matthew and Gunnar both settled down, built families, and shifted their focus toward sustainable independent music production. They run their own production operations, allowing them to release music on their own terms and tour worldwide.
Fans often remark on how well the brothers have maintained their signature aesthetic and vocal abilities into their late fifties. They frequently share throwback content and updates on the official Nelson Twins Website, showcasing their ongoing dedication to live performance and keeping their father's musical catalog alive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Matthew and Gunnar identical twins?
No, Matthew and Gunnar are fraternal twins. While they share striking familial resemblances and famously coordinated their long blonde hair during their peak 90s music era, they have distinct facial features and physical builds.
Who are the parents of the Nelson twins?
They are the sons of rock-and-roll icon Rick Nelson and actress/painter Kristin Nelson. Their parents divorced in 1982, and their father tragically died in a plane crash on New Year's Eve in 1985. You can read more about their family heritage through historical archives like Wikipedia's Nelson Duo Entry.
Do the Nelson twins still tour today?
Yes. They regularly tour, both as a rock duo performing their classic hits and through special tribute projects honoring classic rock history and their family's extensive musical catalog.
What was their biggest hit song?
Their biggest track is "(Can't Live Without Your) Love and Affection," which reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in late 1990 and remains a staple of classic rock radio.
