The American rock and roll star Fats Domino, well known for his songs Ain’t That A Shame and Blueberry Hill, passed away at the age of 89. An official New Orleans coroner’s office recently confirmed this information, but Domino’s daughter had earlier informed about his father’s death to a local television station.
Born in New Orleans on 26 Feb 1928, Antoine “Fats” Domino Jr was the sun of two Creole-origin parents. He was influenced by his father who was a violinist and then by Harrison Verrett — his brother in law and jazz banjo player, who taught him to play the piano.
When Domino was 14, he left school and started working in a bedspring factory by day, and playing his music in bars at night. He received his nickname when he was a teenager because his music techniques reminded the bandleader Bill Diamond to Fats Waller and Fats Pichon, both great music players.
Domino developed most of his musical career between 1950 and 1960. He sold 65 million records, more than any other artists in that decade — except for Elvis Presley, the king of rock and roll for many, who considered Domino as one of his biggest friends and one of the most prominent musicians.
Elvis Presley once said that Fats Domino was “the real king of rock n roll.” Paul McCartney, the English songwriter, and singer of one of the most popular bands in music history said that he based The Beatles’ song Lady Madonna on Domino’s style.
Some recognized reviewers consider that the New Orleans singer’s debut single “The Fat Man,” sold to millions of people, is the first rock and roll record that ever launched. It was recorded in 1949, and definitely changed the genre’s history and style.
Domino’s music influenced a large part of the industry
In 1950, his music reached the white American public like any other rhythm and blues artists did before. Between 1960 and 1970, he was accredited as an artist who influenced the industry.
Many artists of the industry have pronounced after hearing that “the real king of rock n roll” passed on Wednesday. Harry Connick Jr, an actor and musician, born in New Orleans, wrote on Twitter that Domino helped him “pave the way for New Orleans piano players.”
Rapper LL Cool J also said that Fats Domino “paved the way for so many,” and that he remembers “listening to his music” when he was just a child.
“I found My Thrill on ‘Blueberry Hill!’ RIP Fats Domino,” said on Twitter Samuel L. Jackson, the American actor and producer well-known for play roles in billionaire movies like Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown, Jurassic Park, Deep Blue Sea and The Avengers.
His name marked one of the highest peaks in popularity all around the world. Today, millions of fans are mourning the loss of a most important man, a singer with around 30 or 40 very-well-sold hits.
Domino was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. However, he didn’t go to receive the award because he decided to stay in his Louisiana hometown after he reached a certain age.
Source: BBC