Photo by Heinrich Klaffs, Creative Commons
Fats Domino in 1973 performing in the Musikhalle Hamburg, Germany.

One of the founding fathers of rock ’n’ roll, Fats Domino (AFM Local 174-496) injected a Creole-infused shot of rhythm and blues, jazz and boogie woogie to the genre.

He was born Antoine Dominique Domino Jr. on Feb. 26, 1928 in New Orleans, where he began playing local nightclubs at age 14. Throughout his astounding career, Domino sold over 65 million records whose hits hits include “Blueberry Hill,” “Ain’t That a Shame,” “I’m Walkin’ ” and his version of “My Blue Heaven.”

His remarkable abilities on the piano proved that the instrument had as vital a place in rock ’n’ roll as the guitar.

Domino died Oct. 24, 2017, at 89. Continue reading →