Natalie Cole Gets New Kidney

Natalie Cole, who was clearly in pain and out of breath during a recent American Idol appearance, received a kidney transplant yesterday in Los Angeles.

Cole, the 59-year-old daughter of R&B legend Nat "King" Cole, underwent surgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday. The kidney came from a deceased organ donor, the spokeswoman said in a statement. She has been receiving kidney dialysis three times a week since September, even as she toured the world to promote her new album, "Still Unforgettable." Cole will recuperate for the next three to four months, forcing her to postpone a summer tour, the statement said. The singer revealed her Hepatitis C diagnosis last July, saying she probably contracted the liver disease from drug use more than 30 years ago.

UNRELATED: I saw Ms. Cole in concert in at Disney World's Grad Night in 1976 when I was a junior in high school. Cole was by far the less known of the other performers in the park that night and Disney put her stage up in Fantasyland between the Flying Dumbo ride and the teacups. Aw. The other acts were K.C. & The Sunshine Band, Ohio Players, and Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, One of the greatest nights of my life. Always will remember little Natalie and her red dress.