Nathaniel Adams Coles (March 17, 1919 – February 15, 1965) was born in Montgomery, Alabama, and used the stage name Nat King Cole throughout his career as a jazz pianist and later as a singer.

Cole’s first mainstream hit was “Straighten Up and Fly Right” in 1943. Bo Diddley, who performed similar folk-based material said that song was a big influence on him.

In the late 40s, Cole began recording more pop-oriented material. His stature as a pop singer was cemented by hits like “Route 66”, “Mona Lisa” and “Unforgettable”. In the 50s, virtually every home had a copy of his Christmas album.

Cole continued to perform and record into the 60s, with songs like “Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer”, “Ramblin' Rose” and “Cat Balou”. He performed on television late in 1964, just months before he died of lung cancer.