Fats Domino

Fats Domino
Pianist, Singer

Antoine Domino Jr. was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. He was among the first R&B artists to gain popularity with white audiences. Domino learned to play the piano from his brother-in-law around 1938. By age 14, Domino was performing in New Orleans bars. In 1947, New Orleans bandleader Billy Diamond asked him to join his band. Diamond gave him the nickname "Fats", because of his large appetite.

Domino was married to Rosemary Domino from 1947 until Rosemary's death in 2008. The couple had eight children. Domino was signed to the Imperial Records label in 1949. He and producer Dave wrote "The Fat Man", a record that sold over a million copies by 1951. Domino released a series of hit songs. Domino broke into the pop mainstream with "Ain't That a Shame" (mislabeled as "Ain't It a Shame"), which reached the top ten. It was his first record on the Billboard Pop Singles Chart on July 16, 1955.

Domino's first album was released in November 1955. His 1956 recording of "Blueberry Hill," a 1940 song, was his biggest hit, selling more than 5 million copies worldwide in 1956 and 1957. On November 2, 1956, a riot broke out at a Domino's concert in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Domino was slightly injured. In August 1957, he was banned from performing at Griffith Stadium in Washington, DC due to security concerns raised by City Commissioner Robert McLaughlin.

He toured Europe in 1962 and met the Beatles who would later cite Domino as an inspiration. Upon his return, he played the first of his many stands in Las Vegas. Domino moved to ABC-Paramount Records in 1963. Despite not having chart success in late 1964, Domino continued to record steadily until about 1970. He returned to the "Hot 100" chart for the last time in 1968, with his recording. of "Lady Madonna".

Domino was in the audience at Elvis Presley's first concert at the Las Vegas Hilton on July 31, 1969. At a press conference after the show, when someone referred to Presley as "The King", Presley pointed to Domino, "No," Presley said, "that's the real King of Rock and Roll." Presley later commented, "Rock 'n' roll was here long before I came along. I can't sing like Fats Domino. I know that." He added that "Domino was a huge influence on me when I started".

Fats Domino's music became popular in Jamaica. Jamaican artist Yellowman has covered many of Domino's songs, including "Be My Guest" and "Blueberry Hill". In 1986, Domino was one of the first musicians to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He also received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1987. In 1994, artists Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan won the Eurovision Song Contest for Ireland with the song "Rock 'n' Roll Kids".

His last visit was to Europe, for three weeks in 1995. In 1998, President Bill Clinton awarded him the National Medal of Arts. Domino's last public performance was on May 19, 2007 at Tipitina's, New Orleans. In September 2007, Domino was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. In the same year, various artists came together to pay tribute to Domino, recording a live session containing only his songs, including Paul McCartney, Norah Jones, Willie Nelson, and Elton John.

On August 21, 2011, Domino was inducted into the National Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame. The event was held in Detroit, Michigan. The songwriter, Brendan Graham, thought of the title while attending a Domino's concert at the Dublin National Stadium in 1991 and thanked Domino when he recalled receiving his Eurovision trophy at the Sugar Club in Dublin in 2014.

Domino died on October 24, 2017 at the age of 89 at his home in Harvey, Louisiana.

Fats Domino Songs

* Ain't That a Shame (1955)

* All by Myself (1955)

* Be My Guest (1959)

* Blue Monday (1957)

* Blueberry Hill (1956)

* Bo Weevil (1956)

* Coquette (1958)

* Going Home (1952)

* Going to the River (1953)

* I want to Walk You Home (1959)

* I'm in Love Again (1956)

* I'm Ready (1959)

* I'm Walkin (1957)

* Little Mary (1958)

* Please Don't Leave Me (1953)

* Poor Me (1956)

* My Blue Heaven (1956)

* So Long (1956)

* Valley of Tears (1957)

* Walking to New Orleans (1960)

* When My Dream Boat Comes Home (1956)

* Whole Lotta Loving (1958)

* Young School Girl (1958)



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