We had great musicians and recording stars in our time – Elvis, The Everly Brothers, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Bill Haley, Ray Charles and many others.
One of the greats who received little fanfare but sold a zillion records was Fats Domino. His mega hit – Blueberry Hill – was one of the great love songs and slow dance records of all time.
Born Antoine Caliste Domino Jr., “Fats” was both a singer-songwriter and a great pianist – a pioneer of rock and roll who sold more than 65 million records. Fats was born in New Orleans to a French Creole family and lived in the Big Easy all his life.
Though Fats was certainly not a slim person, he was given the nickname “Fats” because his piano style was reminiscent of Fats Waller. Fats, however, stood only 5-4 and weighed well over 200 pounds, so he had his share of great meals, and he certainly had his share of hit records.
Some of his Golden Oldies include Ain’t That a Shame, Whole Lotta Lovin’, Blue Monday, I’m Walking, My Blue Heaven, and of course Blueberry Hill.
All his songs had that Boogie-Woogie flair, catchy melodies and that distinct New Orleans touch. When we had dance parties back in the 50’s, Fats Domino records were always the first ones stacked on the .45 record players because his fast songs were easy to dance to and the slow songs were perfect for a little cheek-to-cheek.
In his personal life, Fats was the ultimate family man – married to one wife, Rosemary, and having 8 children. When we were on a Mississippi cruise last year, we drove by his family home and mansion, and it was quite a spread.
Fats Domino – what a great man and what great songs he left behind.
