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Legendary Singer Natalie Cole Dies at 65

Posted byBy Ricky Riley | Published on: CommentsComments (3)

Natalie-ColeThe daughter of R&B and Jazz singer Nat “King” Cole, Natalie Cole died on New Years Eve at the age of 65. According to the Associated Press, “Cole died Thursday evening at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles due to compilations from ongoing health issues, her family said in a statement.”

Cole had a spectacular career following her father’s footsteps and forging a career of her own as a singer. In her 1991 album Unforgettable … With Love, she cemented her place in music history displaying her vocal range and artistry. The masterpiece was a tribute to her father and was a critical and commercial hit during the release. The album sold an estimated 14 million copies and won six Grammys, including album of the year as well as record and song of the year for the title track duet.

“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,” read the statement from her son Robert Yancy and sisters Timolin and Casey Cole.

Cole had major hit singles like This Will Be, Inseparable, and Our Love. Her vocal talent garnered her 9 Grammies and 12 nominations in a career that spanned nearly 50 years. In fact, she was singing as young as 7  years old with her legendary father.

Over the span of her adult life, she battled with drug addiction and managed to come out of it and recover. However, the multiple battles left her with various illnesses that would have a lasting impact but in her own words:

“I think that I am a walking testimony to you can have scars,” she told People magazine. “You can go through turbulent times and still have victory in your life.”

Today the world remembers a great talent lost.

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