Nat King Cole
Nathaniel Adams Coles, known professionally as Nat King Cole, was born on March 17, 1919, in Montgomery, Alabama, and passed away on February 15, 1965, in Santa Monica, California. He was an influential American singer, jazz pianist, and actor, renowned for his warm vocal style and significant contributions to jazz and pop music.
Cole's musical journey began in Chicago, where he played organ in his father's church by age 12. He formed his first jazz group, the Royal Dukes, at 17. In 1937, after touring with a Black musical revue, he moved to Los Angeles and formed the King Cole Trio, which became a top-selling group on Capitol Records in the 1940s. The trio was known for its unique sound, characterized by the absence of a drummer and the interplay between piano and guitar.
Cole's transition to a solo singer in the 1950s marked his greatest commercial success, with hits like "Unforgettable," "Nature Boy," and "Mona Lisa." Despite facing racial discrimination, he became the first African American to host a nationally broadcast television show, The Nat King Cole Show, from 1956 to 1957. He was also involved in the civil rights movement, participating in the 1963 March on Washington and performing for civil rights organizations.
Cole's influence extended beyond his lifetime, with numerous posthumous accolades, including induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. His legacy continued through his daughter, Natalie Cole, who honored him with the album Unforgettable... with Love.
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