45.........far too young........Whitey H didn't make it to 50 either.........Mike J......passed in his mid 50s or so...............so many....................

Birth name	Nathaniel Adams Coles
Born	(1919-03-17)March 17, 1919 Montgomery, Alabama, U.S.
Died	February 15, 1965(1965-02-15) (aged 45) Santa Monica, California
Genres	Jazz, swing, traditional pop
Occupation(s)	Musician, vocalist
Instruments	Piano, vocals
Years active	1934–1965
Labels	Ammor, Excelsior, Decca, Capitol
Associated acts	Oscar Moore, Irving Ashby, John Collins

Nathaniel Adams Coles (March 17, 1919 – February 15, 1965), known professionally as Nat King Cole, was an American jazz pianist and vocalist. He recorded over one hundred songs that became hits on the pop charts. His trio was the model for small jazz ensembles that followed. Cole also acted in films and on television and performed on Broadway. He was the first black man to host an American television series.