
Fats Domino: the godfather of rock and roll performing onstage in New York. Photo: Ronzoni/Wikimedia Commons
The rock and roll pioneering New Orleanian singer-songwriter and pianist has died of natural causes at the age of 89
Antoine ‘Fats’ Domino Jr, the American pianist and singer-songwriter whose hits include Blueberry Hill and Ain’t That A Shame, has passed away aged 89. He died from natural causes on Tuesday 24 October, surrounded by his family in his native city of New Orleans.
Domino’s million-selling debut single, The Fat Man, is credited by some as the first ever rock and roll record, and he was one of the first rhythm and blues artists to gain popularity with a white audience. He was most prolific in the 1950s when he produced more hit records than Little Richard, Chuck Berry and Buddy Holly, combined.
Fats Domino was also one of the first ever inductees to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and, in 1998, he became the genre’s first musician to be awarded the National Medal for the Arts.
Brian Wilson, Billy Bragg, KT Tunstall, Ronnie Wood and Shakin’ Stevens are among the many songwriters and artists who have already taken to Twitter to pay tribute to the star…
So long Fats. One of the greats. https://t.co/xvQyBDm59R
— Billy Bragg (@billybragg) October 25, 2017
Fats Domino’s songs were all over the radio when I was growing up. He was a great singer and piano player and his music will last forever.
— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) October 25, 2017
Thank you Fats Domino, you were an amazing music teacher on your records ❤️#RIP
— KT Tunstall (@KTTunstall) October 25, 2017
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