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JOHNNY MATHIS AND NATALIE COLE SHARED SOMETHING SPECIAL — A LOVE FOR THE KIND OF MUSIC THAT NEVER REALLY GROWS OLD. Johnny Mathis had already spent decades turning beautiful melodies into cherished memories when Natalie Cole began finding extraordinary success with her own voice. Their musical paths eventually crossed, bringing together two artists who understood the lasting power of a romantic song. Natalie carried an extraordinary legacy of her own. Her father, Nat King Cole, had helped define the sound of American popular music. In 1991, Natalie honored him with *Unforgettable… with Love*, including the remarkable recording that brought their voices together across generations. Johnny’s own career reflected that same devotion to timeless melodies. And when he later recorded duets with Natalie, their voices offered listeners another beautiful connection between musical eras. Some songs belong to a particular decade. Others belong to everyone who has ever loved.

Natalie with singer, Johnny Mathis circa 1978.

Introduction:

Across generations, two celebrated singers found common ground in the enduring beauty of romantic melodies.

Some voices belong to a particular moment in music history. Others seem to exist beyond time, carrying emotions that remain familiar no matter how many years pass. Johnny Mathis and Natalie Cole were two such artists. Although their careers began in different eras and followed distinct paths, they shared a deep appreciation for music that speaks directly to the heart.

By the time Natalie Cole was establishing herself as one of America’s most admired singers, Johnny Mathis had already enjoyed decades of success. Known for his smooth voice, graceful delivery, and unforgettable romantic recordings, Mathis had built a career around songs that made love, longing, and devotion feel universal. His music did not depend on passing trends. Instead, it connected with listeners through melodies and emotions that never seemed to grow old.

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Natalie Cole carried a remarkable musical heritage of her own. As the daughter of legendary singer Nat King Cole, she grew up connected to one of the most influential voices in American popular music. Yet Natalie did not simply rely on her father’s reputation. She developed an identity of her own, combining jazz, pop, soul, and R&B into a distinctive musical style that earned her widespread recognition.

One of the most meaningful chapters of her career came in 1991 with the release of Unforgettable… with Love. The album was a heartfelt tribute to her father, revisiting the classic songs that had helped define his legacy. Its most memorable moment was the title track, “Unforgettable,” featuring a remarkable posthumous vocal duet between Natalie and Nat King Cole. Through the use of her father’s original recording, the song created the moving impression of two generations singing together.

Unforgettable...With Love - CD – Universal Music Online

The album became both a commercial and artistic triumph, reminding audiences that great music can connect people across time. It also reflected something central to Johnny Mathis’s own career: a belief that a beautiful melody never loses its ability to move listeners.

When Mathis and Natalie Cole later came together musically, their voices represented more than a meeting of two accomplished performers. They brought different experiences and musical histories into the same space, united by an appreciation for elegant arrangements, expressive singing, and songs with lasting emotional meaning.

Their connection offers a reminder that musical generations are not separated by time as much as they are connected by feeling. Mathis represented the enduring tradition of romantic pop, while Cole carried forward a family legacy while shaping her own place in contemporary music.

Ultimately, their stories point to a simple truth: trends may change, recording styles may evolve, and audiences may discover new sounds. But a truly unforgettable song can remain meaningful for decades. Some music belongs to a particular era. The best of it belongs to everyone.

Video:

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In 1971, Emmylou Harris was a young singer performing in the Washington, D.C., music scene, still searching for her place in the industry. Then Gram Parsons entered her life. Gram had already helped bring country influences into rock music through his work with the Byrds and the Flying Burrito Brothers. When he heard Emmylou sing, he recognized something special in her voice. He invited her to join his musical world, and their harmonies became a defining part of his solo recordings. Together, they blended country heartbreak with the freedom of rock and folk music. But their partnership ended tragically when Gram died in September 1973 at just 26 years old. Emmylou was left with the memory of a friend and musical collaborator who had profoundly influenced her direction. In the years that followed, she built an extraordinary career, carrying forward the musical spirit they had explored together. Her 1975 album *Pieces of the Sky* included “Boulder to Birmingham,” a deeply emotional song written with Bill Danoff and inspired by her grief over Gram’s death.

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FOR YEARS, EVERYONE WANTED JOHNNY MATHIS TO SING HIGH — UNTIL ONE PRODUCER ASKED HIM TO DO SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. In 1973, Johnny Mathis entered a Philadelphia recording studio with producer Thom Bell, the man behind unforgettable hits by The Stylistics and The Spinners. Bell admired Johnny’s extraordinary voice, but he believed there was another side of it waiting to be heard. Instead of pushing Johnny toward those soaring high notes, he encouraged him to sing in a lower, warmer register. Johnny was surprised—and relieved. Bell and songwriter Linda Creed had also spent time getting to know him personally, hoping to create songs that reflected the man behind the famous voice. The result was *I’m Coming Home*, an album blending Johnny’s romantic elegance with Philadelphia soul. It wasn’t his biggest commercial success, but Johnny later considered it among his finest recordings.

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JOHNNY MATHIS AND NATALIE COLE SHARED SOMETHING SPECIAL — A LOVE FOR THE KIND OF MUSIC THAT NEVER REALLY GROWS OLD. Johnny Mathis had already spent decades turning beautiful melodies into cherished memories when Natalie Cole began finding extraordinary success with her own voice. Their musical paths eventually crossed, bringing together two artists who understood the lasting power of a romantic song. Natalie carried an extraordinary legacy of her own. Her father, Nat King Cole, had helped define the sound of American popular music. In 1991, Natalie honored him with *Unforgettable… with Love*, including the remarkable recording that brought their voices together across generations. Johnny’s own career reflected that same devotion to timeless melodies. And when he later recorded duets with Natalie, their voices offered listeners another beautiful connection between musical eras. Some songs belong to a particular decade. Others belong to everyone who has ever loved.

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In 1971, Emmylou Harris was a young singer performing in the Washington, D.C., music scene, still searching for her place in the industry. Then Gram Parsons entered her life. Gram had already helped bring country influences into rock music through his work with the Byrds and the Flying Burrito Brothers. When he heard Emmylou sing, he recognized something special in her voice. He invited her to join his musical world, and their harmonies became a defining part of his solo recordings. Together, they blended country heartbreak with the freedom of rock and folk music. But their partnership ended tragically when Gram died in September 1973 at just 26 years old. Emmylou was left with the memory of a friend and musical collaborator who had profoundly influenced her direction. In the years that followed, she built an extraordinary career, carrying forward the musical spirit they had explored together. Her 1975 album *Pieces of the Sky* included “Boulder to Birmingham,” a deeply emotional song written with Bill Danoff and inspired by her grief over Gram’s death.

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FOR YEARS, EVERYONE WANTED JOHNNY MATHIS TO SING HIGH — UNTIL ONE PRODUCER ASKED HIM TO DO SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. In 1973, Johnny Mathis entered a Philadelphia recording studio with producer Thom Bell, the man behind unforgettable hits by The Stylistics and The Spinners. Bell admired Johnny’s extraordinary voice, but he believed there was another side of it waiting to be heard. Instead of pushing Johnny toward those soaring high notes, he encouraged him to sing in a lower, warmer register. Johnny was surprised—and relieved. Bell and songwriter Linda Creed had also spent time getting to know him personally, hoping to create songs that reflected the man behind the famous voice. The result was *I’m Coming Home*, an album blending Johnny’s romantic elegance with Philadelphia soul. It wasn’t his biggest commercial success, but Johnny later considered it among his finest recordings.