Nat King Cole was born Nathaniel Adams Coles in Montgomery, Alabama, a city that would later play a significant role in his life. As a young boy, he received music lessons from his mother, laying the foundation for his future success. At the tender age of five, his family made the move to Chicago, where his father, Edward James Coles, was a minister at the True Light Baptist Church and later Pastor of the First Baptist Church. This new environment would prove to be a breeding ground for Cole's musical talents, as he began playing the church organ at the age of 12. By 14, he had formed a 14-piece band called the Royal Dukes, showcasing his early entrepreneurial spirit.
As he entered his teenage years, Cole's passion for music only grew stronger. He was a top-flight sandlot baseball player at Wendell Phillips high school in Chicago, a testament to his athleticism and all-around skills. His three brothers, Ike, Frankie, and Eddie Cole, also followed in his footsteps, playing the piano and singing professionally. Nat's sister, Evelyn Cole, was a beautician in nearby Waukegan, Illinois, adding to the family's musical legacy.
In 1939, Cole formed the King Cole Trio, a name that would become synonymous with his smooth, velvety voice and impeccable piano playing. The trio's success was swift and remarkable, with Cole's publicist dubbing him "King" and placing a silver tin-foiled crown on his head. This moniker would stick with him for the rest of his career, as he went on to tour Europe and even perform before Queen Elizabeth II.
Throughout his life, Cole's family played a significant role in his success. He met his wife, Maria Cole, a big-band singer, at the Zanzibar nightclub in Los Angeles through Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson's show. Despite opposition from her parents, who claimed Cole was "too black," the couple married in 1948 and had two daughters, Caroline and Natalie Cole. The family's love and support would be a constant source of inspiration for Cole throughout his life.
Cole's career was not without its challenges, however. On April 10, 1956, he was attacked by six white men from a white supremacist group called the White Citizens Council during a concert in Birmingham, Alabama. The attack left Cole with minor injuries to his back, but it did not deter him from continuing to pursue his passion for music.
Throughout his life, Cole appeared in several movies, including the 1965 film Cat Ballou, starring Lee Marvin. He also received 28 gold record awards for his hits, including "Sweet Lorraine," "Ramblin' Rose," "Too Young," "Mona Lisa," and Mel Tormé's "Christmas Song." One of his most famous recordings was the Christmas song, which initially included the lyrics "Reindeers really know how to fly" instead of "reindeer really know how to fly." The mistake was later corrected by Capitol Records.
In addition to his impressive musical talents, Cole was also a skilled composer. His song "Straighten Up and Fly Right" was sold for a modest $50.00, a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit. Despite his many accomplishments, Cole's life was cut short by lung cancer, a disease he struggled with due to his heavy smoking habit.
