Nat King Cole

Birth

Mar 17, 1919

Cole was born in Montgomery, Alabama

Nat King Cole's Life

Period: Mar 17, 1919 to Feb 5, 1965

Moving Day

Mar 17, 1923

At the age of four, Cole's family moved to Chicago where jazz and gospel were evolving. Also, he started learning the piano by ear from his mother.

Encounter With Music

Mar 17, 1931

At 12, Cole played the organ, sang in his father's church choir and studied classical piano.

Marriage

Jan 2, 1937

Cole married dancer Nadine Robinson and moved to Los Angelos

"All For You"

Jan 2, 1943

All For You was the trio's first number one hit on th Harlem Hit and peaked at number nineteen on the U.S. pop chart.

King Cole Trio Success

Mar 2, 1943

The King Cole Trio signed with Capitol Records. Cole's record sales fueled much of Capitol Records' success at the time.

Multiple Hit Records

Mar 2, 1944

"Straighten Up and Fly Right," was the trio's most popular single reaching number one on the Harlem Hit Para for ten weeks. "Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You," was the trio's last for the Harlem Hits and had reached number twenty on national charts.

"I Love You For Sentimental Reasons"

Nov 22, 1946

The biggest-selling version by Cole was released by Capitol Records and reached Billboard Best Seller, which lasted 12 weeks on the chart, peaking at number one.

Divorce and Second Marriage

Mar 28, 1948

Cole divorced Robinson and six days later he married Maria Hawkins Ellington.

Racism

Mar 31, 1948

Despite his fame and wealth, Cole and his new wife faced racial discrimination when they went to buy a home in 1948 in the all-white Hancock Park. The Ku Klux Klan responded to his presence with a burning cross on his front lawn.

"Nature Boy"

Apr 16, 1948

Cole had the most successful verson published by Capitol Records and reached the Billboard charts, which stayed for 15 weeks peaking at number one.

"Mona Lisa"

Mar 2, 1950

Cole's version spent eight weeks at number on in the Billboard singles chart.

Leaving the Trio

Mar 2, 1951

From 1951, Cole abandoned the trio formate and produved many solo vocal songs.

The Nat King Cole Show

Nov 5, 1956

The show debuted on NBC and Cole was the first African-American host, which created controversy.

Lung Cancer

Dec 31, 1964

Cole was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. In January 1965, his left lung was removed.

Death

Feb 15, 1965

Cole, a heavy smoker, died of lung cancer in Santa Monica, California.