Groundbreaking
Cole was the first African-American to star in a network variety program and he attracted a bevy of major black singers and musicians as guests, including Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Sammy Davis Jr. and Mahalia Jackson.
Cole was the first African-American to star in a network variety program and he attracted a bevy of major black singers and musicians as guests, including Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Sammy Davis Jr. and Mahalia Jackson.
