Something About Nat King Cole

1. First African American National TV Show Host
On NBC, Nat King Cole became the first Black entertainer to anchor a nationally broadcast variety show in 1956 under The Nat King Cole Show. Despite positive reviews, it ran only a year because of a lack of significant sponsors ready to fund a Black-led initiative in a nation split along lines.


At age four, Cole learned to play the piano by ear and had official classical music instruction, mostly in the works of Johann Sebastian Bach, Rachmaninoff, and Chopin. Later, his classic inspirations inspired his distinctive smooth jazz piano technique.

Born Nathaniel Adams Coles on March 17, 1919, his real name was not “Nat King Cole.” Early in his career, he omitted the “s” from his last name and started calling himself “King” when performing with a jazz trio.

4. He Was a Civil Rights Pioneer, But Faced Racism Continually
Cole, in 1956, was performing in Birmingham, Alabama, and was attacked by a gang of white nationalists notwithstanding his popularity. He also purchased a house in an all-white Los Angeles area where his family suffered prejudice from white neighbors.

5. He Played a Key Role in the Early Success of Capitol Records His record sales were so great that Capitol Records, where he was signed, came to know as The House That Nat Built. His accomplishment helped the label become a big force in the music business.

**He sang in several languages.
Cole recorded songs in Spanish, Portuguese, French, and even Japanese, yet his main language of singing is English. Particularly well-liked in Latin America were his Spanish recordings, including Cole Español (1958).

7. He Was Also a Filmed Actor
Apart from music, he starred in various movies, notably St. Louis Blues (1958), in which he played jazz musician W.C. Handy. His performance revealed his acting ability and strong respect for jazz history.

8. His Voice Was Once Banned on Southern Radio Stations
Racial tensions caused several Southern radio stations to refuse to play his song, even with his great popularity. Cole said famously, “Madison Avenue is afraid of the dark.”

9. He Was a Heavy Smoker—even While Singing Cole felt smoking gave his voice its rich quality and was hardly seen without a cigarette. Sadly, this practice helped him to die from lung cancer in 1965 at just 45 years old.

### 10. His Daughter, Natalie Cole, Kept His Legacy Alive His daughter, Natalie Cole, developed into a Grammy-winning musician in her own way. She debuted Unforgettable… With Love in 1991 with a virtual duet of Unforgotten with her late father, which became a huge hit and garnered several Grammy Awards.

Today, the impact of Nat King Cole on jazz, pop, and civil rights still rings true! 🎶💙