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Quiz about Nat King Cole An Unforgettable Talent

Nat King Cole - An Unforgettable Talent Quiz

Long before Johnny Mathis was "king of the romance ballad" there was Nat King Cole. How well do you remember Nat? Chart listings are Billboard U.S.

A multiple-choice quiz by JRooowe. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
JRooowe

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
401,702

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
308

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. It wasn't his first hit... but it was Nat King Cole's first Number One on the Billboard best-Seller chart. What was the name of this 1946 release? Hint

A Nightingale Sang In Berkely Square

Mairzy Doats

These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You)

(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. Once the hits started coming they didn't stop. Nat charted with over 100 singles as well as albums. All of Nat's hits, from his first in 1943 until his final one in 1966 were for the same record label. What label was it? Hint

Verve

Tamla / Motown

Capitol

Modern

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Question 3 of 10

3. Hard to believe, but Nat sang the theme song for this 1954 movie and had a hit record with it. Hint

The World, The Flesh, and the Devil

The Adventures of Hajji Baba

Francis the Talking Mule

The Mysterions

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Question 4 of 10

4. In 1956 Nat made the newspapers across the USA... and several other countries. What happened? Hint

He was severely injured in a small plane crash

He and Elvis appeared at a UNICEF concert

A tornado hit a building while he was performing

He was attacked on stage by KKK members

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. In 1957 Nat became the first African-American to host a network television variety show in the U.S.A. Why did the show come to a close after just one year? Hint

"I Love Lucy" destroyed him in the ratings

a lack of corporate sponsorship

Nat was too busy with concerts and movie appearances

white entertainers refused to appear on his show

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. In 1957 Nat made the Billboard "Top 20" with a cover of one of crooner Vaughn Monroe's biggest hits. What song was that? Hint

On the Street Where You Live

Ballerina

Twilight Time

Rawhide

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. In 1959 rock 'n' roller Conway Twitty made the record charts with an upbeat version of one of Nat's most famous songs. What song was it? Hint

It's Only Make Believe

What Would I Be (Without Your Love)

Chances Are

Mona Lisa

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. Nat was extremely popular in Latin America as well as the U.S.A. In fact he recorded three "Spanish themed" albums. What was the name of his first Spanish LP? Hint

Cole Espanol

The Legend of El Cortez

Cole In Columbia

Dreaming in Old Mexico

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Nat's songs have been in over 200 movies and Nat, himself, appeared in almost two dozen films. In which of these classic films did he (briefly) appear? Hint

Casablanca

Citizen Kane

Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy

The Joe Louis Story

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. In 1965 Nat had a role in the comedy-western movie "Cat Ballou." Who sang the theme song with him in the film's memorable opening sequence? Hint

Jane Fonda

Stubby Kaye

Cab Calloway

Lee Marvin

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. It wasn't his first hit... but it was Nat King Cole's first Number One on the Billboard best-Seller chart. What was the name of this 1946 release?

Answer: (I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons

Nat scored three Top Ten hits that year, with "(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons" spending six weeks at the top of the charts. Charlie Spivak, Eddy Howard, Dinah Shore and Ella Fitzgerald also charted with this song... but only Nat reached Number One.

Answer: Capitol

Capitol Records was formed in 1943 and Nat was one of its first stars. Capitol's roster of performers over the years is impressive and includes Pink Floyd, Glen Campbell, Frank Sinatra, Linda Ronstadt, The Beach Boys, and The Beatles.

3. Hard to believe, but Nat sang the theme song for this 1954 movie and had a hit record with it.

Answer: The Adventures of Hajji Baba

The song was "Hajji Baba (A Persian Lament)." It made it to Number 14 and was Nat's NINTH record on the charts that year. The film starred John Derek as a swashbuckling barber (yep) in ancient Persia. Nat sang the title song but was lucky enough not to be in the film.

4. In 1956 Nat made the newspapers across the USA... and several other countries. What happened?

Answer: He was attacked on stage by KKK members

During a concert in Birmingham, Alabama, three members of the local KKK ran on stage and beat up Nat. Luckily Nat wasn't seriously injured. Incredibly, a local reporter asked Nat if he thought the attack might have been a protest against rock and roll music. Nat thought not.

5. In 1957 Nat became the first African-American to host a network television variety show in the U.S.A. Why did the show come to a close after just one year?

Answer: a lack of corporate sponsorship

Nat had a lot of friends in show business and his show hosted such luminaries as Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Frankie Laine, The Four Lads, Pearl Bailey and many others. NBC aired the program, without a national sponsor, figuring that they would flock to such a classy, talent laden show. Didn't happen. Companies were afraid of "offending" customers in the South and none came forth. NBC agreed to keep carrying the show, but Nat ended it.

6. In 1957 Nat made the Billboard "Top 20" with a cover of one of crooner Vaughn Monroe's biggest hits. What song was that?

Answer: Ballerina

Vaughn Monroe spent ten weeks in the Number One spot with his 1947 release. Nat's lighter, bouncier, take was the fifth version of the song to make the music charts. Buddy Clark, Bing Crosby, and Tommy Dorsey all had Top Ten hits with the song in 1948. Nat made it to Number 18.

7. In 1959 rock 'n' roller Conway Twitty made the record charts with an upbeat version of one of Nat's most famous songs. What song was it?

Answer: Mona Lisa

In 1950 "Mona Lisa" was one of Nat's biggest hits and held the Number One spot for eight weeks. Conway's version reached Number 29. "It's Only Make Believe" was a Number One hit for Conway in 1958. He eventually switched from rock and roll and became a country music superstar with over three-dozen chart topping records.

8. Nat was extremely popular in Latin America as well as the U.S.A. In fact he recorded three "Spanish themed" albums. What was the name of his first Spanish LP?

Answer: Cole Espanol

In February 1958, the orchestra music for "Cole Espanol" was recorded in Havana, Cuba. Several months later, in a Los Angeles studio, Nat added the vocals. Nat sang these songs in Spanish... though he didn't speak the language.

9. Nat's songs have been in over 200 movies and Nat, himself, appeared in almost two dozen films. In which of these classic films did he (briefly) appear?

Answer: Citizen Kane

He had an uncredited role as the pianist at "The El Rancho." It was the first film for Nat and he hadn't yet had any hit records. Nat was originally supposed to play Charles Foster Kane... but he kept saying "Ramblin' Rose" instead of "Rosebud"... so they replaced him with Orson Welles. That last line is a joke for Nat King Cole fans.

10. In 1965 Nat had a role in the comedy-western movie "Cat Ballou." Who sang the theme song with him in the film's memorable opening sequence?

Answer: Stubby Kaye

Nat played "The Sunrise Kid." The song was nominated for an Academy Award as "Best Music, Original Song" but lost to "The Shadow of Your Smile" from "The Sandpiper." Lee Marvin won the Academy Award as "Best Actor in a Leading Role" for his duel role as Kid Shelleen and his twin brother, the evil Tim Strawn.

Source: Author JRooowe

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor agony before going online.
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