Nat "King" Cole

Nat "King" Cole (1919-1965) first made his name in pop music primarily as a pianist with the King Cole jazz trio that he formed in 1939, and some experts consider his keyboard technique, which influenced a number of other noted musicians, his most significant contribution to music. But by 1950, the public at large was coming to know Cole as the crooner whose relaxed manner went hand-in-glove with his caressing voice. As hits such as "Mona Lisa" and "Unforgettable" followed one another, he became one of America's favorite entertainers, and in the fall of 1956, he was the first African American to host a network television show. Cole was sometimes faulted for not being more outspoken in the civil rights cause, but his broad popular appeal was in itself a contribution to the struggle against racism.