John Coltrane was born September 23, 1926 in Hamlet, North Carolina. His parents were John R. Coltrane, a tailor and amateur musician, and Alice (Blair) Coltrane. Two months later his grandfather was promoted and the family moved to High Point, North Carolina. There he lived with his parents, his grandparents, and his cousins' family.
In school John was known as a shy, but friendly boy who had a very mischievous streak, though he rarely got in trouble. He was also very smart, he and his cousin, Mary Lyerly, were at the top of their class. When he wasn't being mischievous he was participating in activities such as school plays, May Day festivals, and in 7th grade became a school patrol boy. Something he enjoyed was rollerskating.
In the winter of 1938-39 both his grandfather and father died, and in 1940 is uncle died. His moth./er and aunt worked at the Emery Country Club to support the family. During World War 2 his mother, aunt and cousin moved to Philadelphia to find work, while John stayed behind with family friends until he graduated high school at which point he moved to be with his family. He visited for awhile but never returned to High Point after 1945.
In 1945 he was drafted into the navy and served in Hawaii. While he was in the navy he didn't experience combat. In 1946 he was discharged and moved back to Philadelphia.
John became addicted to heroin making it hard to find employment. In 1957, after being fired by Davis he overcame his addiction.
John was first married to Niama, but later lived with Alice McLoed who in 1966 he married. They had three children John Coltrane Jr., Ravi Coltrane, and Oran.
At the age of 40 John Coltrane died due to liver cancer. On the date of July 17th, 1967. He was cremated in the Saint Peters Church in New York.
In school John was known as a shy, but friendly boy who had a very mischievous streak, though he rarely got in trouble. He was also very smart, he and his cousin, Mary Lyerly, were at the top of their class. When he wasn't being mischievous he was participating in activities such as school plays, May Day festivals, and in 7th grade became a school patrol boy. Something he enjoyed was rollerskating.
In the winter of 1938-39 both his grandfather and father died, and in 1940 is uncle died. His moth./er and aunt worked at the Emery Country Club to support the family. During World War 2 his mother, aunt and cousin moved to Philadelphia to find work, while John stayed behind with family friends until he graduated high school at which point he moved to be with his family. He visited for awhile but never returned to High Point after 1945.
In 1945 he was drafted into the navy and served in Hawaii. While he was in the navy he didn't experience combat. In 1946 he was discharged and moved back to Philadelphia.
John became addicted to heroin making it hard to find employment. In 1957, after being fired by Davis he overcame his addiction.
John was first married to Niama, but later lived with Alice McLoed who in 1966 he married. They had three children John Coltrane Jr., Ravi Coltrane, and Oran.
At the age of 40 John Coltrane died due to liver cancer. On the date of July 17th, 1967. He was cremated in the Saint Peters Church in New York.