VOLUME 42, NUMBER 6 Formerly New York Sheet Music Society www.APSSinc.org MARCH 2021 indignities and racism. The Remarkable Nat King Cole Nat Cole was also very close to Jack Through the All-Encompassing Lens Benny and Perry Como. He was embraced by three presidents: Dwight Eisenhower, John Kennedy and Lyndon By Marilyn Lester of Will Friedwald Johnson. He sang at Kennedy’s inaugural If Will Friedwald were in a court of clubs to filling concert halls, and gala, which was produced by Sinatra, law pleading a case for the immense ultimately, stadiums. At a late 1940s who made sure to include three other greatness of Nat King Cole, he’d win a benefit for the Harlem YMCA, he filled people of color: Ella Fitzgerald, Harry unanimous “yes” verdict Belafonte and Mahalia hands down. In his February Jackson. Later, in Los 12 presentation, Straighten Up Angeles, Kennedy surprised and Fly Right: The Life And Cole by spontaneously Music of Nat King Cole, showing up at his house for Friedwald offered a tight and the coming-out cotillion of cogent presentation, filled one of his daughters. “It was a with visual goodies, including huge statement,” observed photos from the Cole Family’s Friedwald. personal collection. Nat Cole In matters of racial is a subject he clearly loves discrimination Cole and admires, and, who, he maintained his composure and says, is his favorite performer. his dignity. In his first film His recently released book Nat King Cole with Sombrero appearance, in 1943, in which about Cole, upon which this he sang and played piano, he program was based, was one he’d wanted the Savoy Ballroom with a remarkable was made to appear dressed as a railroad to write for many years. It was a labor of 5,000 people. By 1959 he was the top porter. During this time Blacks were cast love. “Nat brought joy to the world and earning attraction at the Sands Hotel in in white films in subordinate roles, to me,” Friedwald said. “I feel like I owe Las Vegas. So, is it any wonder that King reflected in their costuming. For Cole, it to him.” Cole was born on March 17, Cole was so tremendously popular? The that turn was the first and last. In 1919 and died on February 15, 1965, subsequent film appearance he was so the book was almost in sync with dressed in a tuxedo or other form of his centenary, and the program with “white apparel.” In 1948, Cole his death date. purchased a home (through a proxy) Friedwald has no doubt opened in the all-white Hancock Park section up a lot of eyes to Cole’s greatness. I of Los Angeles; the transaction was certainly had no idea of the legal and aboveboard. Some residents immensity of it. Pianist-singer- were glad to welcome the Cole songwriter Cole jam-packed quite a family, but others not so much. No bit into his 45 short years on Earth. In crosses burned on his lawn, but other Friedwald’s opinion, Cole, with Ella indignities were perpetrated. He Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra, had the stood his ground. Cole’s career greatest influence on how the Great Nat King Cole with Frank Sinatra suffered the indignity of racism at American Songbook was presented several turns. In Birmingham, and sung. In the 1950s, Cole sold more charismatic singer had a beautiful smile, Alabama in the early 1950, members of records than anyone, even Sinatra, with a winning personality and was a natural an ultra-right white supremacy group, the whom he was close. He was the first on the stage. He was loved and White Citizens Council, breached the performing artist to move from night beloved—triumphing over Jim Crow Continued on page 3 PAGE 2 AMERICAN POPULAR SONG SOCIETY MARCH, 2021 American President’s Message... Popular Song Linda Amiel Burns, President Society President: Linda Amiel Burns Warm Greetings to our APSS Members, Family, (212) 315-3500 Friends and Fans: Vice Presidents: Joan Adams It is wonderful that the American Popular Song Society is Sandi Durell thriving and continuing through this pandemic. Our Zoom meetings Treasurer & Membership: continue to be valuable, lively, and well-attended. Glen Charlow Of course, we all hope eventually to resume our live programs, Secretary: but I feel that this unusual season has been very successful, and I Marilyn Lester am grateful that we are still up and running. Board Of Directors: Many thanks to the one and only Will Friedwald for his Elliott Ames Danny Bacher remarkable program on Nat King Cole last month. I hadn’t realized Bill Boggs how much this great singer/musician accomplished in his short life Will Friedwald Michael Lavine and this program made me an even bigger fan. If you missed it, Sandy Marrone please enjoy reading the lead story in this month’s issue. You will Jerry Osterberg Andrew Poretz also find information on how to purchase Will’s terrific book. Judy Stewart We are all eagerly looking forward to Nancy McGraw’s award- Tom Toce winning presentation on the great Johnny Mercer on Saturday, Mark William th March 13 from 12:00-2:00. The Zoom link is in this Newsletter N E W S L E T T E R mailing. I don’t want you to miss this remarkable afternoon, as I Editor/Publisher: Jerry Osterberg [email protected] know it will be as special as Nancy herself is. She has assembled a Contributing Editor: Marilyn Lester talented cast, and could there be anything better than spending [email protected] Associate Editor: Joan Adams time listening to the Magic of Mercer? [email protected] I hope that you are all well Graphic Designer: Glen Charlow [email protected] while getting through these Photographer: Rose Billings trying times. Happily, Winter [email protected] is almost over and Spring is Membership Mailing Address: on its way. American Popular Song Society Sending good wishes, and P.O. Box 5856 looking forward to seeing you Pikesville, MD 21282 Why is that the mailing address? on March 13th. Because the treasurer lives in Baltimore, Maryland. [email protected] Linda This email address goes to Glen Charlow Memberships can Linda Amiel Burns, President be paid with: The American Popular Song Society Condolences to Linda on the passing of her cousin Joseph Robert Amiel ❤ pictured here (l) with Linda and her brother Joseph J. Amiel (r). MEETING LOCATION: Our programs during the inside the via Paypal 2020 pandemic are being (570 10th Ave. 4th fl) at www.APSSinc.org brought to you by... 11:00am - 2:00pm Come early to look thruwww.zoom.us Sheet Music & CD’s & stuff, all FREE. MARCH, 2021 AMERICAN POPULAR SONG SOCIETY PAGE 3 stage and physically assaulted him. He was given a variety show in the 1956-57 television season. It was hugely popular, but beyond the regional sponsor, Rheingold Beer, no national sponsor would take the show on. It was cancelled, to which Cole famously responded, “I guess Madison Avenue is afraid of the dark.” Cole grew up in Chicago within a large, musical family. He was essentially self-taught as both a pianist (he was a devotee of Earl “Fatha” Hines) and vocalist. In his early career, it was jazz that was his medium. He led a band dubbed the “Royal Dukes” and then created what was at the time an innovation in jazz—the small group format. His innovative trio featured guitar player Oscar Moore and bassist Wesley Prince. As the King Cole Trio, Cole and Family Go Latin they played night clubs, scoring a hit in 1940 with “Sweet Lorraine.” Cole began said, “I could do a whole program.” including Sinatra. With guidance from to penetrate the white record market at Another back-story to a Nat Cole hit is his manager and close friend, Carlos this time, and went on to have a hit per that of 1949’s “Mona Lisa.” The Castell (who was originally from the year during the 40s. In 1946 “For recording was arranged by a then Dominican Republic), Cole began to Sentimental Reasons” gave him the unknown Nelson Riddle. Cole brought make records in Spanish and Portuguese, distinction of being the first Black artist him back to handle more music, Riddle’s successfully penetrating the large to have a hit on the mainstream (white) career took off and “the rest is history.” international Latin market. Ever eager to charts. In 1949, Cole also essentially disbanded broaden his range, particularly with the A highlight of the presentation was a the trio, now working with Latin British invasion of music and a shift in very rare clip from the “We the People” percussion and achieving solo billing as popular tastes, Cole entered the Country radio show in 1948, of Cole with the an independent artist. music scene from 1962-1964. But by creator of “Nature Boy,” eden ahbez In the 1950s, Cole began turning out 1963 it was becoming apparent that his (sic). Of the fascinating story of “Nature hit after hit, as many as 10 to 12 per year, chain smoking was catching up to him. Boy” and its intriguing author, Friedwald more than any other contemporary artist, Friedwald showed the last photo of Cole ever taken, with two nurses as he entered the hospital where he would die in 1965. His last hit broke when he was in this same hospital growing weaker and weaker. His funeral was huge, with a who’s who of Hollywood in attendance. This reportage of Will Friedwald’s excellent program can’t really touch the scope of it, nor could Friedwald compress his magnificent book into such a short time.