Nat King Cole

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Nat King Cole

Nat King Cole started out as a jazz player
before becoming a singer. He was born Nathaniel Adams Coles on the 17th March 1919 (St Patrick's Day). His father was a butcher but later became a preacher. His mother played the organ at the church. She was the one who introduced him to playing the organ.
By the age of 12 he was having proper lessons. He was helped by his older brother Eddie in 1936 when he joined his band. A year later he set up and formed The King Cole Trio. "King" it seems many have originated from "Old King Cole" the nursery rhyme.
Nat King Cole's songs include Mona Lisa, Unforgettable, Those Lazy - Hazy Days of Summer, Straighten Up and Fly Right and the Christmas Song.
He married at a very young age and was just 17 or 18 when Nadine Robinson a dancer became his wife. The marriage sadly didn't last. In 1948 he married Maria Hawkins Ellington. She was very supportive and encouraged him in his career. They went on to have 5 children together, Natalie, Carol, whom they adopted was Maria's niece. They also adopted a boy Nat before having twins Casey and Timolin.
Nat King Cole was involved in the civil rights movement he came from Montgomery, Alabama just like Rosa Parks who refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white man. Even though there was segregation he refused to comply with it. He moved to Los Angeles and into a white neighbourhood. He wouldn't perform in places where segregation occurred.
Nat King Cole died of lung cancer on the 15th February 1965. He was a heavy smoker and this is what probably caused his lung cancer.

© Children's Web Magazine 2009