A sad day for all the rock and rollers of the world as the news spread Fats Domino passed away. Domino was 89 years old and an exceptional pianist and singer who greatly influenced the rock and roll performers of the 1950s and 60s.
The American musician based his music on traditional rhythm and blues. He rose to fame with his songs Ain’t That A Shame and Blueberry Hill.
Originally from New Orleans, Domino’s music sold over 65 million records worldwide. Not many remember Fats Domino but many remember Elvis Presley as the king of rock and roll. But Presley always referred to Domino as “the real king of Rock and Roll.”
Fats Domino and Elvis Presley
Fats Domino was one of the first rhythm and blues musician to gain popularity among the white audience in America.
Back in 1973, BBC interviewed Fats Domino who spoke of his early life. He said, “I was 17 when I made my first record in 1949. I never thought about being professional. I used to work in a lumberyard and that’s where I first heard a number on a jukebox and I liked it. It was a piano number. It was called ‘Swanee River Boogie‘ by Albert Ammonds.”
Even though Domino comes from the same place (New Orleans) as Louis Armstrong the two crossed paths only twice. At the interview, Domino spoke about the legend and said, “I liked the way he was singing ‘Blueberry Hill.‘ See, a lot of people think I wrote ‘Blueberry Hill‘ but I didn’t. That number was wrote in 1927 and I recorded that song in 1957. We just put a different background and I just sing it the way it would fit me and it came out great for me.”
Fats Domino originally Antoine Dominique Domino Jr., was given the nickname Fats by bandleader Bill Diamond. A musician named Fats after two brilliant piano players, Fats Waller and Fats Pichon. In Fats Domino’s memory let’s sit back and listen to some of his beautiful melodies.
