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The legendary Nat King Cole was a hard act to follow--especially by his daughter Natalie.
To her infinite credit, she didn't even consider TRYING.
In fact, she did her best to NOT cash in on her late father's jazz legacy, (Nat had passed away in 1965), and try her hand--and voice-- at soul and blues music. She set her sights on being the next Aretha Franklin or Janis Joplin.
It was tough going for a long while, until one night songwriters Chuck Jackson abs Marvin Yancy heard her in a club...and pitched her some of their songs. (They didn't tell her that Aretha had already taken a pass on the songs.)
Trivia: Chuck is the Rev, Jesse Jackson's stepbrother.
Soon thereafter, Natalie was in a studio recording her debut album,1975's "Inseparable."
Natalie's first single was "This Will Be," a "Great Song" and instant classic that went to #1 on Billboard's Soul Chart, #5 on the Dance Chart and #6 on the Hot 100.
I highlighted "This Will Be" song way back in the early days of this blog, but I've linked it below so you can listen to it again, if you wish.
And today I'm also highlighting Natalie's second single: "Inseparable's" title cut.
This beautiful ballad highlighted Natalie's softer side, and before long, she had another #1 song on the Soul Chart. (It also reached #20 on the Easy Listening Chart.
And here's the kicker: Thanks to "This Will Be" and "Inseparable," the album sold over a million copies, and Natalie won two Grammy Awards: Best New Artist and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, which broke the winning streak set by none other than Aretha Franklin, who had won the award eight years in a row!
Natalie did it with two songs Aretha had rejected, and hit the big time without cashing in on her father's memory.
"This Will Be" and "Inseparable:" Two "Great Songs of 1975" right out of the box by Natalie Cole!
"Inseparable:" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ar4-R6H5Ygk
"This Will Be:" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbaoKL1Ei0c
Tomorrow: Serpentine! Serpentine! Coming Soon: Great Songs of the 80s!
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