Fats Domino Dies at 89: Remembering the Rock and Roll Pioneer

Mike Crisolago | October 25th, 2017

Domino died Tuesday in Louisiana of natural causes, surrounded by loved ones. He was 89.

Fats Domino, whose New Orleans brand of rocking rhythm and blues earned him a place among the founding fathers of rock and roll and countless hit records, including tunes like “Ain’t That a Shame,” “Blueberry Hill,” “Blue Monday” and “Walkin’ to New Orleans” has died. He was 89. The music legend died in his Harvey, Louisiana home of natural causes on Tuesday evening, surrounded by loved ones.

Domino, who was born Antoine Domino Jr. in New Orleans, first nabbed attention with his 1949 record “Fat Man” and eventually emerged through the late 1950s and into the 1960s as one of his generation’s top recording stars, rivalling the popularity of Elvis Presley. Last year the New York Times noted that “He has sold more than 60 million records and, between 1950 and 1963, he made Billboard’s pop chart 63 times and its R&B chart 59 times — more hit records than [Chuck] Berry, Little Richard and Buddy Holly combined.” Domino went on to sell 110 million records earned 23 gold records and had even Elvis himself championing him as the true King of Rock and Roll, having influenced everyone from Presley to the Beatles. As well, his popularity among both African American and white fans served to help break down racial barriers in America at the time.

Domino ranked 25th on Rolling Stone magazine’s “100 Greatest Artists of All Time” and earned induction into numerous music halls of fame, including the Rock and Roll Fall of Fame, Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame, Louisiana Music Hall of Fame and the Delta Music Museum Hall of Fame as well as receiving a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

In 2005, after Hurricane Katrina decimated New Orleans (including Domino’s home), the rock and roller participated in fundraising efforts to help rebuild the city. In 2012, he played himself on the TV series Treme, about victims of the hurricane rebuilding their lives in New Orleans.

Upon news of his passing, fans and music legends alike took to Twitter to remember the rock and roll pioneer.

— Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) October 25, 2017

— Michael Des Barres (@MDesbarres) October 25, 2017

— Scott Dworkin (@funder) October 25, 2017