Natalie Cole pushing forward

Natalie Cole has a new outlook on life after a kidney transplant in 2009.

There’s no chance of taking Natalie Cole for granted anymore, at least on her end.

“Any time you get a second chance at anything, you’ve got to do better,” the singer noted after her 2009 kidney transplant. “Second chances don’t come often.”

Cole was a presenter at the Latin Grammys in Las Vegas last fall, paving the way for a new album sung entirely in Spanish that was announced for this spring (but which seems to have no set release date).

Las Vegas has long been part of the singer’s turbulent career. She’s been a headliner since the 1980s, when hits such as “Pink Cadillac” added a youthful energy to co-bills with the likes of Smokey Robinson and the Temptations at venues such as Caesars Palace and the Las Vegas Hilton.

Cole turned 63 earlier this month and noted two years ago, “You just have to keep pushing forward and not let things get in the way. I just don’t let anything get in the way of my music.”

Contact reporter Mike Weatherford at mweatherford@
reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0288.