Fats Domino

Fats Domino was a renowned American Musician and Singer-songwriter known for his unique Rock and roll and Rhythm and blues style, which was heavily influenced by New Orleans Jazz and Blues musicians such as Louis Armstrong and Jelly Roll Morton. He was one of the best-selling artists of the 1950s, with hits like Ain't That a Shame and Blueberry Hill, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, along with other notable musicians like Chuck Berry and Little Richard. Fats Domino's music was also influenced by Country music and Gospel music, and he was a major influence on later musicians such as Elvis Presley and The Beatles. He performed at numerous venues, including the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and the Montreux Jazz Festival, and collaborated with other famous musicians like Ray Charles and Sam Cooke.

Early Life and Career

Fats Domino was born Antoine Dominique Domino Jr. in New Orleans, Louisiana, to a family of Creole descent, and grew up in a musical household, with his father playing the Violin and his mother singing Gospel music in the New Hope Baptist Church choir. He began playing the Piano at a young age, influenced by Jazz and Blues musicians such as Fats Waller and Meade Lux Lewis, and started performing in local Nightclubs and Bars in New Orleans, including the famous Preservation Hall. He was discovered by Dave Bartholomew, a Trumpeter and Bandleader who worked with Lloyd Price and Smiley Lewis, and signed with Imperial Records in 1949, releasing his first single, The Fat Man, which became a huge success and launched his career, also performing with other notable musicians like Professor Longhair and Clarence "Frogman" Henry.

Music Style and Influences

Fats Domino's music style was a unique blend of Rock and roll, Rhythm and blues, and Boogie-woogie, with a strong emphasis on Piano and Vocals, and was influenced by a wide range of musicians, including Louis Jordan, Charles Brown, and Amos Milburn. He was also influenced by Country music and Gospel music, and his music often featured Horns and Saxophones, with arrangements by Dave Bartholomew and Alvin Tyler. Fats Domino's music was a major influence on later musicians such as Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and Bob Dylan, and he was often credited with helping to popularize Rock and roll music, also performing with other famous musicians like Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins at the Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee. He was also a major influence on the development of Ska and Reggae music, with his songs being covered by The Skatalites and Toots and the Maytals.

Discography

Fats Domino released many successful albums and singles throughout his career, including Ain't That a Shame, Blueberry Hill, and Walking to New Orleans, which were all huge hits and helped to establish him as one of the best-selling artists of the 1950s, also releasing music on London Records and Reprise Records. He also released several albums, including Fats Domino Rock and Rollin', Here Stands Fats Domino, and Let's Play Fats Domino, which featured a mix of his hit singles and other original material, and collaborated with other notable musicians like Herb Hardesty and Lee Allen. Fats Domino's music was also featured in several films, including The Girl Can't Help It and Jamboree, and he appeared in several Television shows, including The Ed Sullivan Show and American Bandstand, hosted by Dick Clark.

Awards and Legacy

Fats Domino was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, along with other notable musicians like Chuck Berry and Little Richard, and was also inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame and the Grammy Hall of Fame. He won several awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and a National Medal of Arts, and was named one of the greatest Singers of all time by Rolling Stone magazine, also receiving a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Fats Domino's music has been covered by many other artists, including Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and Bob Dylan, and he has been named as an influence by many other musicians, including Elton John and Billy Joel, who have performed at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and the Montreux Jazz Festival.

Personal Life

Fats Domino was married to Rosemary Hall from 1947 until his death in 2017, and had eight children, including Antoine Domino III and Anita Domino. He was a resident of New Orleans for most of his life, and was known for his love of the city and its music, often performing at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and the French Quarter Festival. Fats Domino was also a successful Businessman, and owned several Nightclubs and Restaurants in New Orleans, including the famous Fats Domino's Pizza, and was a longtime supporter of the New Orleans Saints and the New Orleans Pelicans. He died on October 24, 2017, at the age of 89, and was buried in Glendale Cemetery in New Orleans, with a funeral procession through the French Quarter and a memorial service at the St. Louis Cathedral. Category:American musicians