COLE IN IRVING'S STOCKING

The family of Nat King Cole has asked Irving Azoff’s Iconic Artists Group to straighten up and fly right with his legacy. Iconic will manage, protect and expand Cole’s legacy via a deal that encompasses a broad range of rights—recorded music, publishing, television shows and name and likeness.

Cole, a pianist, singer, actor and TV star of the 1950s and ’60s, charted more than 150 singles, selling more than 50m records worldwide. He’s best remembered for “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire),” “Mona Lisa,” “L-O-V-E,” "Nature Boy," "Unforgettable" and, of course, “Straighten Up and Fly Right.”

“We’re delighted to entrust our father’s legacy to Irving Azoff and the team at Iconic. Through the years, it’s been amazing to see how dad’s music continues to inspire and bring people together, and with Iconic at the helm, we know his musical legacy will endure and continue to grow,” said Timolin and Casey Cole in a joint statement.

The radio show King Cole Trio Time, which started in 1946, was the first of its kind to be hosted by a Black musician. In 1956, Cole became the first Black entertainer to host a national network variety television show.

Said Azoff, “Cole was a groundbreaking artist who influenced generations of artists. One of our true greats—his voice is instantly recognizable and an enduring piece of the fabric of our lives.”