She was the daughter of a legendary jazz singer, Nat King Cole, who died when Natalie was 15 years old.
It isn't easy when you are the son or daughter of a legend. You must prove your own worth, and people don't take you seriously. Natalie wanted to succeed on the basis of her own talent, but the link to her father was brought up again and again. For years, she would not sing her father's songs.
A song from early in her career. (Everlasting Love).
Natalie Cole turned to heroin and crack cocaine for solace. Her drug use began in college and continued through the early years of her fame. She conquered her addictions after entering rehab in 1983, but the price on her body was high - she contracted Hepatitis C and announced it in 2008. Natalie Cole ended up needing dialysis and, later, a kidney transplant.
She lived a life of determination despite her rocky beginnings and her health problems.
Ms. Cole was a success in the music field, winning nine Grammy Awards.
Ironically, one of her best known songs was a duet she performed, through the magic of modern day technology, with her father. They sang one of her father's biggest hits, Unforgettable.
We will Miss You Like Crazy.
Upon her death, her family said (according to Wikipedia) "Natalie fought a fierce, courageous battle, dying how she lived ... with dignity, strength and honor. Our beloved mother and sister will be greatly missed and remain unforgettable in our hearts forever."
If you have a memory of Natalie, share it in the comments below.
My memories were of her father; but I began paying more attention to her when she put away her foolish toys. (The drugs, silly.)
ReplyDeleteI wonder why so many great talents are self destructive.
DeleteThank you for sharing this Alana. I really loved the duet Natalie did with her father. That must have been a special moment for her.
ReplyDeleteIt must have been quite special for her, given how much pain being his daughter caused her earlier in her life. So happy she was able to move past that.
DeleteI imagine most of us knew her first as her fathers daughter, and it's sad she fought that for so long. The duet was inspirational and a turning point in her career. Thanks for this informative post on a musical talent that will be missed and remembered on her own merit and her fathers.
ReplyDeleteI loved her. When I was a kid I thought it was "miss you like gravy" and it became a family joke since. I sing have covered some of her and her father's song. Wonderful music, she will be missed.
ReplyDeleteShe had a fantastic voice...will be sorely missed
ReplyDeleteI was still a kid but I remember that album with her dad... it was beautiful. Feel sad when you see names from your childhood disappear.
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