He started his career in the doo-wop group the Hollywood Flames in the 1950s before founding the R&B duo Bob & Earl with Bobby Byrd.
That year, Nelson and Byrd released their first single as Bob & Earl, "You Made a Boo-Boo," on Class.
In 1965, Nelson relaunched a solo career on Mira Records with the single "Ooh Honey Baby," credited to Earl Cosby.
He released his biggest single "The Duck" in November 1965 and by January it peaked at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #4 on the R&B chart.
Barry White produced his 1974 Warner Bros. single "Strange Funky Games and Things" (credited to Jay Dee).