One of rock and roll’s greats has passed away at his daughter’s home in New Orleans. Fats Domino was 89 years old.
NPR News reports that he died on Oct. 24, 2017, according to a family friend. The chief investigator for the Jefferson Parish Coroner’s office, Mark Bone confirmed that Domino died of natural causes.
The man who brought the world “Blueberry Hill” was born Antoine Domino Jr., on February 26, 1928.
- During his long career as a singer and musician, he earned several awards including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and Rhythm and Blues Foundation Pioneer Award. He was also inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Domino was on the Rhythm and Blues charts 59 times and the pop charts, 63, between 1950-63. This man, who only had a fourth-grade education sold more than 65 million records.
When he was a young man he played piano night while working at a mattress factory in New Orleans. He began to build his fanbase and his girth started to grow. The bandleader started calling him “Fats” when introducing him.
His first album, “The Fat Man” on Imperial Records was recorded on December 10, 1949. He and Dave Bartholomew wrote what is often cited as one of the first rock and roll records.
Domino and his wife, Rosemary were married 60 years. She passed away in 2008. They had eight children. Their daughters were named Antoinette, Andrea, Andonica, Anola, Antione III, Andre, Antonio, and Anatole.
Further information about a memorial has not yet been released.
By Cathy Milne
Sources:
NPR News: Fats Domino, Architect Of Rock And Roll, Dead At 89
Biography: Antione “Fats” Domino
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