Nat King Cole Tribute by PERRY COMO & LENA HORNE

[tomayahokov]

What a wonderful pair - Lena and Perry! I wish the audio was clearer and the video was in color. I guess we can't have every thing. Thanks!

[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!

[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.

[lenahorneclub]

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

[RealMusicKing]

This is music, sung by legends, each one with a unique voice. Today, there is no more music, no more voices. All there is, is disposable garbage even the garbage hates to pick up.

[abc123754212]

this is beautiful.

[egleeditterpepper]

què preciosa cancion!! viva el siglo XX musicalmente hablando....

[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.

[bigjoetube]

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

[ranhill]

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

[daveybeno]

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

[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.

[amesmb]

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

[less01]

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

[eblackadder3]

@less01 "Calypso Blues"

[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......

[megamapagmahal]

her voice is cool

[floppybollox3]

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

[NYCguys2007]

Lena never lets you see her sweat, anything "choked" is calculated not spontaneous.

[floppybollox3]

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

[NYCguys2007]

I'm being realistic about a professional performer. She knew what she was doing -m it was all pre-digested.

[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.

[MrWakethesheeple]

You obviously have no idea what Nat King Cole meant to alot of people: especially black people. Lena is genuinely saddened believe it! RIP Lena

[howdybud]

Perry Como had a voice and presence the angels would envy.

For the last 8 years he has undoubtedly been offering them vocal lessons on a first come first served basis.

[longfoot]

The amazing Lena. She grew a habit of knocking my sox off. Perry ho-hum, he had a tv show that allowed him to sing with many great ones.

[MrWakethesheeple]

Perry was no 'ho hum.' He had style and class along with a unique vocal style. The fact that he did a tribute to Nat proves he was a good man as well.

[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.

[floppybollox3]

Interesting comment.

[leesterg]

I remember this tribute to NKC, its the day the Capital Records building in Hollywood turned off the night lights to honor Nat. I was about 16 and in L.A. alot of the buildings lowered the flags to half mass too.

[Hunterunc]

Thanks so much for posting this tender and moving tribute. I bet Nat Cole would have been touched.

[terestoye]

I miss Perry Como. His show was one of a few that was transmitted to the Philippines when I was growing up. MY family was always transfixed when Perry was on. Then when I came to America I continued to watch his weekly programs. I miss you Mr C

[klokheten]

A really fantastic tribute from two equally great artists.

So much warmth.

[brimlow313]

Wonderful...simply wonderful.

[Arron413]

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

[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.

[davemock]

A fitting tribute to "a very dear friend of ours," in Perry's words. How moving for the chorus to come in at the end. Ms. Horne and Mr. Como were and always will be pure class.

[timboytx]

I agree completely, mca1218.  You said it perfectly.

[Coowallsky]

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

[COMOFAN1955]

I was a young boy when NAT KING COLE passed away, I was raised on all the great singers and being only 10 years of age, I cried when I heard about his passing. I have never seen this tribute before. Perry and Lena performed a wonderful tribute. Two more of my favorite performers. I am not ashamed to say that this brought a tear to a 52 year old man. These are the great performers.Thank you NAT Perry Lena and all of the rest. You will be remembered always.

[SPARKYSCHULZ]

NKC passed 4 months before I was born: I grew up watching Perry's annual Christmas specials, and was introduced to Lena Horne as a small child by--of all places--- Sesame Street (where she sung a wonderful duet with Grover on overcoming shyness), My goodness, this was absolutely beautiful-- and this 43 year old had the same reaction. Thank you for sharing this.

[sugarbell99]

i miss nat he was the best technical singer that ever lived

[Lyndehouse]

I was born in the wrong generation--I wish I could have been alive when Cole, Horne and Como were ALL performing...real performers

[tommy30507]

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

[Michaelbos]

We miss them both.

[jamesdelude]

Why can't they put this show back on the air it beats whats on tv now.

[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.

[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.

[CharlieBrownsTown]

Fantastic - great stuff :o)

[ppeak2007]

This is my very favorite video on You Tube Handsome Perry and Gorgeous Lena.The songs are utterly beautiful and so nostalgic to Nat King Cole lovers.Each delivers with such clarity and perfection.A pure gem.

[oldsgt6]

what a moving trubite to a great entertainer

[AchillesShield]

A great tribute to a great singer!

[jazznfatback]

Wow! The great American singers of that era- I think I was born in the wrong decade. God bless the few keeping it alive today.

[kellyilla]

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

[comofan123]

Absolutely Superb! Beautiful music! Perry Como - such a talented and very sincere gentleman.

[mettanc]

fantastic

[damone77]

Well it could be Mitch Ayers although it would take some research to figure out. I'm going to get back to you on that question.

[damone77]

Two of my all time favorite singers in a wonderful tribute to Nat, who made it look so easy. Thanks so much for this post!

[MyBlackAmerica]

Wonderful....Thank you!

[pekl9wj]

Does anyone know the musical director/creator of special material/vocal arranger of this segment? The presentation is brilliant, even beyond the superb singing. Thanks for putting it up, NYCguys2007.

[ppeak2007]

This is simply so beautiful by these two superb vocalists.A wonderful way to honor the late nat king cole.he can never be replaced.One of a kind.Thanks.