Born on March 17, 1919, Nathaniel Adams Cole It became one of the most distinguished singers in the history of music, and its popularity is still in force, since it owns successes as Sweet Lorraine, Nature Boy, The Christmas Song, Ramblin ‘Rose and Mona Lisa.
The musician made history on television in 1956 by becoming the first African American to present a variety television series: Nat King Cole Show. The program was attended by big stars As Count Basie, Peggy Lee, Sammy Davis Jr. and Tony Bennett.
Pianist started in the swing, He then became a sweet and divine voice that channeled the standards of jazz. His connection with art was inevitable, since it was part of a family where music was breathed everywhere.
Beginnings, musical search and stardom
While he was born in Montgomery, Alabamahe moved to his family to Chicago When I was very small. Her mother became organist from a local church, and in fact it was she who taught her to play the instrumentwhen Cole was four years old. The boy acknowledged as big as his mother was “The only music teacher I had “. However, his piano studies were formalized when he turned 12.
Gospel and classical music learned, although jazz would call his attention immediately. Later, he joined a band called the Bud Billiken Clubformed by members of the social club of the same name. The latter had been created in 1923 by the founder of the Chicago defendRobert Sengstacke Abbott, and for his editor, Lucius Harper, for African -American young people who were distributing newspapers in the “city of the wind.”
He formed his first group, The Royal Dukesin 1937. Played for few dollars, and at that time Cole didn’t sing because his bandmates considered that his voice was not suitable for his style. Soon Nat left the group to join his brother’s, the Rogues of Rhythmwith whom he participated in the Shuffle Along show. It was in that place where he met Nadine Robinsonone of the dancers and his future wife.
Nat King Cole 3.WEBP
After this experience, Cole went with Robinson to live in Los Angeleswhere I played in nightclubs. His talent captured the attention of Bob Lewisowner of the Swanee Inn club, who encouraged him to form a group with his name. This is how he was born King Cole Triothat in 1943 He jumped to fame for songs like “Straightten Up and Fly Right” -Ispired in a sermon from Nat’s father- and “That Ain’t Right”as well as Christmas classics such as “The Christmas Song” and “I love you (for sentimental reasons)”.
Racism, death and legacy
While his life was aimed, Cole suffered hard setbacks because of the racism. His first encounter was when He wanted to move to an exclusive neighborhood of Los Angeles And he learned that in the property contract It was established that the use of the house was “only for whites”. In addition, he received criticism from his neighbors – they said: “We do not want undesirable people to come here”– And he was attacked by strangers; qThey used the letters that made up the word “black” in their garden and his dog was poisoned. Despite all this, Cole remained firm with his decision.
In 1951, The government accused him of not having paid $ 150,000 in taxes and tried to seize the house. In response, the musician agreed with the authorities to pay a thousand dollars per week. However, all stress became an acute ulcer and internal hemorrhages, which were diagnosed after the Easter concert in the Carnegie Hall in New York.
After a surgical intervention half of the stomach was removedso Cole took life more calmly. Despite that, in 1956 it was Cover of a newspaper after being attacked by six white men in an Alabama scenario. I have not participated in any protest. Nor have I joined an organization that fights against segregation. Why do they attack me? “The artist wondered.
On the other hand, it was also criticized by the African -American community for not doing enough for cause and activismalthough Cole had dealt with this issue with the press and denounced the hotels that they refused to admit it for their race.
In 1964 they diagnosed him lung cancer and He died at age 45, on February 15, 1965. Until his last days, Cole was within the recording studio. His silky voice full of emotion was the spear with which Nat King Cole penetrated souls before the constant adversities, and that is why he will be remembered for the rest of the times.
Source: Ambito
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
