In Memoriam
Fats Domino
February 26, 1928 – October 24, 2017 · aged 89
Rock and Roll · R&B · Boogie-Woogie
Antoine 'Fats' Domino Jr. was the gentle giant of early rock and roll, a New Orleans piano maestro whose rolling, boogie-woogie rhythms defined the 1950s. Born in 1928, his warm, unthreatening baritone and infectious piano triplets produced colossal crossover hits like 'Ain't That a Shame' and 'Blueberry Hill.' He sold over 65 million records, outselling every other 1950s rock and roll pioneer with the sole exception of Elvis Presley. In fact, Elvis himself famously refused the title of 'King of Rock and Roll' in Domino's presence, deferring to the New Orleans legend. Quiet, famously shy, and utterly devoted to his hometown, Domino rarely left New Orleans and survived the devastating floods of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. He passed away peacefully of natural causes on October 24, 2017, at the age of 89, leaving behind a legacy of pure, unadulterated musical joy.
Milestones
Ain't That a Shame, Blueberry Hill, I'm Walkin'
Also remembered in 2017
- Chester Bennington (1976–2017)
- Chris Cornell (1964–2017)
- Chuck Berry (1926–2017)
- Tom Petty (1950–2017)