Nat King Cole Tribute by PERRY COMO & LENA HORNE

Lena and Perry sang this tribute to Nat King Cole shortly after his death in 1965

[@lorrainechandler7864]

Perry Como was a pure, sweet soul.

[@ccaammiinniiito2]

+Lorraine Chandler Yes, he was. And truer words were never spoken. I think Como was a quiet, behind the scenes supporter who had gone through some rough political times as evidenced by her continuous appearance on his show.

[@yukikokomiya288]

Lorraine Chandler l

[@kennethpack1963]

Nat King Cole, made his last Gig at the Circle Star Theater in San Carlos Ca.I was working there at the time, and was able to spend a few minutes with him. those minutes , I will always treasure...

[@eddiewakes9425]

Wow, Kenneth , that must have been magical, although so sad...Ralph Carmichael was his arranger for the last several years of Nat’s life and he has shared a lot of stories with me! Nat is my biggest influence as a singer. What an otherworldly musician, singer and human being!

[@kennethpack1963]

@@eddiewakes9425 Can you imagine a16 year old white kid with the nickname cotton top trying to sound like Nat King Cole...

[@eddiewakes9425]

Kenneth Pack lol Well, that’s a solid indication of the profound influence Nat had on us, my friend!

[@ranhill]

All three are gone now. How sad such class has gone from us and the music industry.

[@Robert4770]

What a class performance from Perry & Lena. They never had to say Nats name just that it was for "a friend". He was an icon and his music will live forever.

[@williamlrobinson6293]

Perry was really smooth. He made singing seem so effortless. Lena was great vocalist. Both make the music fun listening.

[@johnalcorn8079]

Absolutely Terrific

[@cedricstripling9456]

This is simply a wonderful arrangement of a medley of songs made popular by by the incomparable Nat King Cole performed excellently by two of the greatest singers of that generation. Absolutely fantastic,

[@bugleboy4527]

Two legends saluting the tragic loss of NKC another music legend.

[@francisalanwormald6328]

AHH...SUCH A SWEET MEMORY OF ALL THREE!!!

[@OperaDan]

Just my kind of style. A pity they don't make singers like that anymore... those golden days are long gone...

[@mca1218]

Absolutely sublime. A perfect marriage of songs and artists: the studly grace of Como, the steely beauty of Horne, both artists genuinely moved and mournful as they give a thoroughly elegant vocal tribute to the late Cole. And there are astonishing TV moments, like the a'cappella rendition of the 'Trinidad' song Lena does into with Perry's finger-tap percussion- and, of course, the stunning final 2-shot of them both doin' it at the end. More tears from a 46-year old male TV junkie. Thank you.

[@klokheten]

A really fantastic tribute from two equally great artists. So much warmth.

[@darkhamburger2178]

You can tell he was sad when this happened because his eyes are puffy suggesting almost crying

[@ThrivingWithTheSussexes]

Lena...wow. Amazing! These two are awesome.

[@DLEVANS65]

perry was at RCA and Nat was at Capitol Records at the time. Great Singers long gone. they will be missed

[@robertszvetics210]

+BeatleD Evans there will never be another nat and perry

[@joe1blue]

A 5 STAR class act.

[@anneroselli161]

My dad and I adored nat king cole and perry como rip to all love anne

[@lorrainechandler7864]

My late mother loved Nat King Cole.She named me after a NKC song,Sweet Lorraine.I was born in 1955.Perry C and Nat King Cole are two of my special favorite singers.

[@fromthesidelines]

This is from one of Perry's monthly "KRAFT MUSIC HALL" specials, probably March 4, 1965- because at that time, he usually appeared at the beginning of the month (on Thursdays), pre-empting "KRAFT SUSPENSE THEATER". Nat died on February 15th, so there would have been time for Perry and his staff to prepare a "proper" tribute to him....this is the black & white "kinnie" of the original color telecast.

[@daveybeno]

beautiful together, lovely, what a love voice Lena had as well as perry

[@bigjoetube]

priceless legends singing about Nat.........................really something

[@Michaelbos]

We miss them both.

[@DINOLOVER6717]

Nat was a trailblazer, for the community and for music in general. He crossed the barrier with ease and did it with a little diddy ☺️ what a lovely tribute and such beautiful talent to pay respects

[@tommy30507]

They were all wonderful. I am so glad we have all these videos posted on KZbin.

[@Arron413]

This video is so touching. I am happy to have surreptitiously found this piece treasure.

[@hmaltravers]

What a loss when Nat died. I have a couple of his CD's I keep in my vehicle and listen to while driving. He was a class act, and nonpareil musician.

[@johnjurkewicz9925]

👍👍👍👍 I love it so great 👍👍👍👍

[@brimlow313]

Wonderful...simply wonderful.

[@Soulthinker2007]

There were songs of Nat Cole that was well known and some not so well known. I learn something every day. That show was taped weeks after Cole's death.

[@miraclebigevent142]

Wow. What a performance by both of them. And I've never been a big Lena Horne fan (ego) but here, wow. Right on the money. God bless them both. And Nat.

[@MyBlackAmerica]

Wonderful....Thank you!

[@Coowallsky]

What does it say when two greats come together to honor the memory and accomplishments of another great in their industry?

[@alexandremaltademoura2266]

Great footage.' Great singers together: Rosemary Clooney,Nat King Cole and Perry Como.Marvellous.'

[@zorinabakah8182]

This is Lena Horne

[@RaiderEleven]

A great tribute to Nat "King" Cole, one of the huge selling singer's singers. He sold so many records that the Capitol records building in Hollywood that resembles a stack of LPs was know as the 'building that Nat Cole built". All 3 of these singers sing with such ease compared to today's hot-wired, arm-waving, grimacing singers. (no disrespect intended, just a comparison.) Still missing Nat Cole.

[@irenekent4335]

Thats so nice to remember such a great and lovely man Nat Cole loved him

[@ManoelGomes-ez5ih]

Perry e lena interpretando canções do mestre NKC. Ótima postadem

[@amesmb]

Beautifully done. I can't help wondering, though, why they didn't include "Unforgettable"....

[@fromthesidelines]

Perry and Mitch parted company, professionally, after the 1963-'64 season of "KRAFT MUSIC HALL" specials {Ayres went on to conduct "THE HOLLYWOOD PALACE"'s orchestra}- Nick Perito became Como's conductor for the rest of the "KRAFT" series, including this excerpt.

[@makthnife]

@less01 "Calypso Blues" - a song Cole co-wrote, appeared on "The Nat King Cole Story" in 1961. Quite a moving tribute by two very relevant artists....RIP to them all. Music of each, lives on......

[@pcguy01]

Perry was Mr. Class for sure!

[@msiplin8613]

Beautifully arranged and beautifully performed... exactly what Nat King Cole deserves ❣

[@anderander5662]

We have lost so much

[@richgrzesiak6856]

Incredible, very moving tribute even when viewed decades later. It gets no better than this.

[@orlandooliveira1784]

Nat merece todas e melhores homenagens, ainda mais vinda de Lena e Perry. Simplesmente bela e emocionante!

[@craigjohnson7152]

A wonderful eulogy in song to Nat King Cole. Remember, Nat King Cole's show was canceled because of ratings. "Jim Crow" South banned his show from airing! I am grateful his voice and piano playing have been preserved. Artists continue to honor Nat in song; see Diana Krall sing "Unforgettable".

[@ManoelGomes-ez5ih]

Grande homenagem ao maior cantor que existiu

[@jimkreider9997]

Nat was one of the best and Perry Como was one of the best also. I wish this type of music would come back into the mainstream. You don't hear black or white singers with the voices of Lena Horne and Perry Como anymore. I loved Johnny Mathis whose voice is incomparable. Not picking on black singers but ALL singers do not have the true voices of these two.

[@racourdav]

I've never ever thought Lena Horne was much of a singer. Listening to this again reinforces mine and Frank Sinatra's opinion that "this broad was a lightweight" or something to that end. I adored this tribute though! Very very nice, as is anything with that handsome Mr. Como

[@orlandooliveira1784]

Linda homenagem de muita categoria, beleza a esse artista inesquecível e inigualável que foi Nat King Cole.

[@alexanderteuman7273]

My father, i hope you can see and hear KZbin in heaven.

[@11IVANOV11]

Восхитительно!

[@cocoaorange1]

Nice tribute.

[@megamapagmahal]

her voice is cool

[@NYVoice]

You're probably right T. I was only 5 when this came out so I had no idea. But it was standard for stations, especially local ones, to erase video to save on costs. Ask Soupy Sales and Paul Winchell (thanks WNEW). And it took a BBC special to get colorization of a Nat cole performance.

[@kevinclarke8647]

lena's chip came about during the war.she was doing a bunch of uso shows and they were strictly for white officers and this happened about three or four times.during this time she kept wondering how come there were no black GI'S in the audience.finally when black GI'S where allowed she took notice of the seating arrangements, but this time nazi pow's had seats in front of the black GI'S.she walked off stage and did the whole show in the rear seats just for the black GI'S.(gov't blacklisted her)

[@jmen4ever257]

This was on the tube on monday night, so had to catch it again.

[@ReginaldKellyTHEMUSICOLOGIST]

Perry Como looks as though he was visibly shaken by the death of Nat King Cole. They may have been good friends as well as label mates at Capitol.

[@Soulthinker2007]

+Reginald Kelly Lena was no doubt too since she knew Cole back in the 40's.

[@ccaammiinniiito2]

+Reginald Kelly He was a wonderful human being. a scandal free life, he led. And his boyish good looks held well into his years.

[@brucescott4261]

+Reginald I Kelly Jr ...Nat "King" Cole and Perry Como were not label mates. Nat recorded for Capitol Records and Perry recorded for RCA Victor Records. The latter recorded for Decca Records before moving on to RCA Victor Records.

[@lenahorneclub]

@NYVoice Remember NBC had the peacock "The following program is brought to you in LIVING COLOR."

[@timboytx]

I agree completely, mca1218. You said it perfectly.

[@floppybollox3]

You can see Lena is choked right at the very end.

[@chryssmyth1113]

Sinatra and Lena got along until she was separated from her husband abd having an affair with Ray Ellis and then her husband was with sinatra and he had a heart attack and sinatra called her and she said said she would be there later and sinatra said "you will get your ass on the next plane..."

[@superstar1218]

how the hell can somebody say she cant sing and frank sinatra can in the same sentence.... i think i know.

[@less01]

whats the name of the song where perry is tapping the piano and lena`s singing?

[@elisabettav.234]

Che uomo che voce. Più del Sinatra.

[@floppybollox3]

Interesting comment.

[@lenahorneclub]

@tomayahokov Did you know that these show were ALL in beautiful NBC Living Color? They didn't save them, so all we have now is the Kinecsope version that looks like sh*t!

[@floppybollox3]

Are you saying she's cold and calculated? Don't you think she really felt the loss of the great Nat king Cole?

[@DLEVANS65]

someone said that Lena and sinatra never got along. I don't know if that is true?

[@TheLizzie12]

+BeatleD Evans It apparently had something to do with Lena's friendship with Sinatra's wife Ava Gardner. Lena & Ava became friends when they were both under contract to MGM & after Sinatra & Ava separated/divorced & she remained friends with Lena, Sinatra acted coolly towards her.

[@DLEVANS65]

Oh ok. Frank was crazy for ava. Great info

[@racourdav]

He didn't like her mainly for the reason Lizzie gave--he also didn't think much of her singing chops either. He simply adored Ella and Billie --cited Billie as an influence

[@floppybollox3]

Oh well, you could be right, guess I'm just a little naïve maybe, although I'm sure somewhere deep down she must have been hurting.

[@darkhamburger2178]

Im sorry but to dislike this would mean your a monster

[@anneroselli161]

No on

[@racourdav]

@NYCguys2007 I will never be a fan of Ms. Horne's singing--that's a fact. I'm aware that he didn't care for her personally, I've read probably every book written about him....She wasn't everyone's cup of tea when it came to singing though. Lena Horne's looks had a LOT to do with her becoming popular--but IMO and others, she didn't have a great voice--it was ok at best. I give her props for using her looks and Lennie Hayton to get to where she got...but she was not a great singer

[@starlahawkins3000]

O

[@kevinclarke8647]

this whole lena looks and complextion thing is childish nonsense.there are many great female singers and lena was one of them and had a tremendous voice.by the way a strong black women.(see previous post)

[@BigBingFan]

I'm a Bing guy (and by definition, also a Perry guy) with no dog in the fight, but it seems on various venues I've seen Lena, that she had sorta a "racial" chip on her shoulder; I can't confirm that, only after 55 years of appreciating Crooners, seen MYRIAD videos, read LP covers, books, etc, that Lena was a very competent singer in her own right, but I just get the feeling that before the Obama period, that she was on the front end of the "chip" I mentioned earlier, before Jessie & Rev. Al.

[@lenahorneclub]

Como was the perfect host because he was dull -- he made the guest look good. Btw, he made fun of how 'boring' I'm not dissing him. He and Lena are perfect together, his steadiness calms down her intensity.

[@racourdav]

And change your screen name to Teller of Lies 2013-- that's more appropriate than truthteller

[@phredVI]

That statement proves you know nothing about music ....

[@racourdav]

Sinatra didn't like her as a person AND he didn't think much of her as a singer--no one did! He adored Ella, Sarah and Billie-- Lena's name is NOT in the same class as any of them--and YOU know it

[@racourdav]

Sinatra's rival? You have got to be on drugs, LMAO that's too funny to be for real! Yeah, she's always mentioned as Sinatra's rival-- nevermind Ella, Sarah or Nat or Perry-- yeah, it was Lena! What a joke, that man had NO rivals, least of all Lena Horne!

[@racourdav]

Son-- please stop. You're making a fool of yourself. Lena Horne didn't have a great voice, period. She "made it" based 90% on her LOOKS. Her talent could fill a thimble and I say that based on FACTS. Ella and Sarah made it based on their amazing talent and will forever be revered for that. Lena's looks and marrying Lennie Hayton are the 2 reasons we're even discussing her now. If she looked like Ethel Waters or Ella--please. She had no talent to speak of. Now, give it a rest.

[@racourdav]

CLEARLY you're delusional. Lena Horne didn't have a great voice and if you were objective you'd admit that. She was pretty, period

[@racourdav]

Lena Horne had more talent than Sarah Jones and Ella Smith--ok, I'll give you that, and it's only because I don't know those people. GTFOH and come back when you have an argument sonny...

[@BigBingFan]

I should follow up by saying, I like Lena Horne's interpretations just fine, it has nothing to do with race; I love Nat, Louis, Ink Spots, Paul Robeson, Mills Brothers, and too many Doo-Wop and R & B groups to possibly name, but Lena's persona, was not always conducive to "getting along," as the ever-present "chip" seemed to outweigh her performance, to me. Same thing with Dionne Warwick, who I have many albums, CD's, etc-and she ruined it for me with "Racism" claims under every rock. Gets old.

[@mefirstplease3676]

BigBingFan the woman put her toe into a pool at the hotel she was working at and they drained it. I mean really honestly is basic history that black people in America didn’t have the best time especially during this time.