Nat King Cole

Nat “King” Cole was born Nathaniel Adams Coles on March 17, 1919, in Montgomery, Alabama, and died on February 15, 1965, at age 45 [1][2]. He began as a jazz pianist, led the influential King Cole Trio, and became a pop star with a smooth baritone on songs such as “The Christmas Song,” “Nature Boy,” “Mona Lisa” and “Unforgettable” [1][2]. In 1956 he became the first African American to host a network variety series [1][2].

Early life

Cole was the youngest son of Edward James Coles, a Baptist minister, and Perlina Adams Coles, who sang in the church choir and taught him piano [1][3]. The family moved to Chicago, around 1921 to 1923 depending on the source, where his father pastored a South Side church [1][3]. By about age twelve he played organ and sang in his father’s choir [3]. He received classical piano training, then turned to jazz, with Earl Hines a major influence, and at 15 left school to play professionally [2]. He made his first recording in 1936 with his brother Eddie, and he dropped the “s” from his surname around 1937 [1][2][3].

The King Cole Trio

In Los Angeles Cole formed a trio with guitarist Oscar Moore and bassist Wesley Prince, a drumless group that showcased his piano; the “King” nickname reportedly came from a young woman at a club [1][3]. In June 1942 the trio became the house band at the 331 Club [1]. “Straighten Up and Fly Right,” a Cole composition, became a hit in 1943–44 and led to a Capitol Records contract [1][2]. Trio-era hits included “The Christmas Song” and “(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons”; the trio disbanded in 1955 [1][2].

Solo stardom and television

His solo hits included “Nature Boy” (1948), “Mona Lisa” (1950), “Too Young” (1951) and “Unforgettable” (1952) [1][2]. The Nat King Cole Show aired on NBC from 1956 to 1957 and was the first variety series hosted by an African American; it ended after about 30 episodes, with Cole blaming the lack of a national sponsor [1][2]. In 1958 he played W. C. Handy in the film St. Louis Blues, his only major starring film role, and his last film was Cat Ballou (1965) [1][2]. See W. C. Handy.

Death and legacy

Cole was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1964 and died on February 15, 1965; he is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale [1][2]. His daughter Natalie recorded a duet of “Unforgettable” with him in 1991 [2]. His relaxed delivery influenced Mel Tormé, Johnny Mathis, Tony Bennett and others [3]. The Alabama Music Hall of Fame inducted him in 1985, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000, and in November 2000 his childhood home was moved to the Alabama State University campus in Montgomery [1][3]. The Alabama Music Hall of Fame displays a wax figure of Cole [4].

FAQs

Where was Nat King Cole born? Montgomery, Alabama [1][2].

What was his best-known TV work? The Nat King Cole Show, 1956–57 [1][2].

What is his best-known song? Songs such as Unforgettable and The Christmas Song are among his best-known recordings [1][2].

Sources

1. Encyclopedia of Alabama: Nat “King” Cole
2. National Park Service: Nat King Cole
3. Encyclopedia.com: Cole, Nat “King”
4. Encyclopedia of Alabama: Alabama Music Hall of Fame (AMHOF)

Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 10, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue