In 1964, Cole discovered that he had lung cancer. Oxford University Press. His recordings include “Unforgettable” and “Mona Lisa”. The album spent five weeks at No. Nat King Cole was born as Nathaniel Adams Colesn on March 17, 1919 in Montgomery, Alabama, to Edward Coles and Perlina Coles. 3.9 out of 5 stars 4. Nat King Cole, byname of Nathaniel Adams Cole, family name originally Coles, (born March 17, 1919, Montgomery, Alabama, U.S.—died February 15, 1965, Santa Monica, California), American musician hailed as one of the best and most influential pianists … In the studio, Cole got to work with some of the country's top talent, including Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald, and famous arrangers such as Nelson Riddle. Sources Nat King Cole was born Nathaniel Adams Coles in 1919 in Montgomery, Alabama. Early Life Natalie Maria Cole was born on February 6, 1950, to vocal legend Nat King Cole and jazz singer Maria Cole in Los Angeles, California. His final film appearance came in 1965: He performed alongside Jane Fonda and Lee Marvin in the light-hearted Western Cat Ballou. In 1956, Cole had been attacked by white supremacists during a mixed race performance in Alabama. He landed some sizable parts in the late 1950s, appearing in the Errol Flynn drama Istanbul (1957). Growing up … The couple had three biological children, daughters Natalie, Casey and Timolin, and two adopted children, daughter Carol and son Nat Kelly. Nat King Cole appeared in popular films as well, among them China Gate (1957) and Cat Ballou (1965). He began playing piano at the age of six, and continued his musical education at the Roosevelt Institute in Chicago. Starting off with an incredible skill with the organ, Cole became a multi-instrumentalist, later learning the piano as well as vocals. Cole made television history in 1956 when he became the first African American performer to host a variety TV series. Overview; Biography; Songs; Browse by Format. © 2021 Biography and the Biography logo are registered trademarks of A&E Television Networks, LLC. But this decline did not last long. Chart-topping R&B singer Natalie Cole, who followed her legendary father into the music business with hits like "This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)" and "Unforgettable," died at age 65. 15 February 1965 (aged 45) Nat "King" Cole (March 17th 1919–February 15th 1965) was a popular American singer and jazz musician. Soon after, Colestarted playing … He's best known for his soft baritone voice and for singles like "The Christmas Song," "Mona Lisa" and "Nature Boy.". ', American singer-songwriter Natalie Cole, daughter of mid-century crooner Nat King Cole, was best known for her Grammy Award-winning album 'Inseparable.'. Nat King Cole became the first African American performer to host a variety TV series in 1956. Bill Dobbins and Richard Wang. As a piano player, he formed a jazz trio in 1938 that played Los Angeles nightclubs, one of the first jazz trios featuring guitar and piano. In his early teens, Cole had formal classical piano training. The son of a Baptist pastor, Cole may have started out playing religious music. Nat King Cole Biography by William Ruhlmann + Follow Artist. Treating side effects What your body is … Gerald Ford became the 38th president of the United States following Richard Nixon's resignation, in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal. Nat King Cole (1919-1965) Nat King Cole was born Nathaniel Adams Coles in 1919 in Montgomery, Alabama. The 1962 country-influenced hit "Rambin' Rose" reached the number two spot on the Billboard pop charts. If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us! He scored numerous hits, with such songs as "Nature Boy," "Mona Lisa," "Too Young" and "Unforgettable." He was the first African American artist to host his own television program and fought for civil rights in a determined but understated manner. His rendition of "The Christmas Song" has become a holiday classic and many of his other signature songs are frequently selected for film and television soundtracks. Nat King Cole: An Intimate Biography. Cole joined forces with his brother Eddie for a time, which led to his first professional recordings in 1936. An avid smoker of Kool cigarettes, he died of lung cancer in Santa Monica, California on February 15, 1965. Nat “King” Cole (Nathaniel Adams Coles) singer, composer Born: 3/17/1919 Birthplace: Montgomery, Alabama Grammy Award-winning singer and composer known for his velvety voice and romantic ballads. He was 45. By the 1950s, Cole emerged as a popular solo performer. After his show went off the air, Cole continued to be a presence on television. In 1964, Cole discovered that he had lung cancer. He had three brothers: Eddie (1910–1970), Ike (1927–2001), and Freddy (1931–2020), and a half-sister, Joyce Coles. He was succeeded by Queen Elizabeth II in 1952. In 1956, Cole became the first African American performer to host a variety television series, and for many white families, he was the first Black man welcomed into their living rooms each night. He succumbed to the disease just months later, on February 15, 1965, at the age of 45, in Santa Monica, California. Nat King Cole in 1943 AP Photo Clarke was adopted shortly after she was born, and told CBS News' Michelle Miller she grew up in "the perfect family." We strive for accuracy and fairness. He later joined a national tour for the musical revue Shuffle Along, performing as a pianist. Cole marked a career milestone in 1991 with the release of Unforgettable…With Love, featuring the celebrated duet with her late father, Nat King Cole. Early life. "Straighten Up and Fly Right," inspired by one of his father's sermons, became another hit for the group in 1944. Nathaniel Adams Coles was born in Montgomery, Alabama, on March 17, 1919. Read Full Biography. 3, 1993., pp. Edward VIII became king of the United Kingdom following the death of his father, George V, but ruled for less than a year. A "who's who" of the entertainment world, including the likes of Rosemary Clooney, Sinatra and Jack Benny, attended the legendary musician's funeral, held a few days later in Los Angeles. 1-16 of 35 results for "nat king cole biography" Straighten Up and Fly Right: The Life and Music of Nat King Cole (Cultural Biographies) Part of: Cultural Biographies (4 Books) | by Will Friedwald | May 13, 2020. The “Miss You Like Crazy" singer, the daughter of the legendary Nat "King" Cole, underwent a kidney … Nat King Cole Nathaniel Adams Cole was a world renowned Jazz musician, born on March 17, 1919 in Montgomery, Alabama. Handy in the film. 28 Sep. 2016. When Nat King Cole was four years old, the family moved to Chicago, Illinois, where his father, Edward Coles, became a Baptist minister. He was the first African American to host a network television series, The Nat “King” Cole Show (1956–57). A gifted composer and lyricist, Cole Porter created songs like "Night and Day," and the music for Broadway shows such as 'Anything Goes' and 'Kiss Me, Kate. Known for his smooth and well-articulated vocal style, Cole actually started out as a piano man. 3.8 out of 5 stars 17. 1 on the pop charts, earned six Grammy® awards, and sold more than 14 million copies worldwide. Cole married for the first time when he was only 17. He received numerous awards and traveled internationally. Hardcover $26.25 $ 26. In the image, the 57-year-old ladies appeared wearing very elegant outfits while flashing their smiles at the camera. His trio was the model for small jazz ensembles that followed. She taught her son the art of playing the piano. He had encountered racism firsthand, especially while touring in the South. Earl Hines, a leader of modern jazz, was one of Cole's biggest inspirations. Cole's presence on the record charts dwindled in the late 1950s. The King Cole Trio, Volume 4 (1949) Nat King Cole at the Piano (1950) Harvest of Hits (1950) King Cole for Kids (1951) Penthouse Serenade (1952) Top Pops (1952) Two In Love (1953) Unforgettable (1954) Penthouse Serenade (1955) Nat King Cole Sings for Two in Love (1955) The Piano Style of Nat King Cole (1955) After Midnight (1957) Nat 'King' Cole, Soundtrack: The Nat King Cole Show. He also met and befriended other stars of the era, including popular crooner Frank Sinatra. https://www.biography.com/musician/nat-king-cole. Cole played the role of blues great W.C. He appeared on such popular programs as The Ed Sullivan Show and The Garry Moore Show. Nat King Cole's first lessons in music were imparted by his mother, a church organist. Grove Music Online. Edward J. Coles and Perlina (Adams) Coles, and grew up in Chicago, Illinois.His brothers Nat King Cole (1919–1965), Eddie (1910–1970), and Ike (1927–2001) also each pursued careers in music. "Book Reviews: "Unforgettable: The Life and Mystique of Nat King Cole," by Leslie Gourse." The following year, Cole started to put together what would become the King Cole Trio, the name being a play on the children's nursery rhyme. Maria Cole was Nat King Cole's wife before Nat K. Cole died from lung cancer on February 15th, 1965 Career. 00 $6.95 $6.95. His mother was his first instructor and he was soon guided by a church choir director. by Maria Cole and Louie Robinson | Sep 1, 1971. Nathaniel Adams Coles, the youngest son of the Reverend Edwards Coles and Perlina (Adams) Coles, was born on March 17, 1917, in Montgomery, Alabama. Nat "King" Cole Biography Overview Biography Songs Similar Artists CDs Vinyl DVDs. 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