Late Fats Domino mined New Orleans roots in pioneering music
Posted October 26, 2017 7:00 am
NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Fats Domino didn't look like a typical teen idol. He stood 5-feet-5 and weighed more than 200 pounds, with a wide, boyish smile and a haircut as flat as an album cover.
But Domino sold more than 110 million records, with hits including "Blueberry Hill," ''Ain't That a Shame" and other standards of rock 'n' roll.
The amiable rock 'n' roll pioneer whose steady, pounding piano and easy baritone helped change popular music, even as it honored the grand, good-humored tradition of New Orleans, has died of natural causes at the age of 89.
Domino performed for many years after his last hit, a remake of the Beatles' Lady Madonna that featured his pumping piano riff. He says he refused efforts to get him to change his style, saying "it just wouldn't be me."
FILE - This 1956 file photo shows singer, composer and pianist Fats Domino. The amiable rock 'n' roll pioneer whose steady, pounding piano and easy baritone helped change popular music even as it honored the grand, good-humored tradition of the Crescent City, has died. He was 89. Mark Bone, chief investigator with the Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, coroner's office, said Domino died Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017. (AP Photo, File)
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Flowers are tucked into the fence of the former home of famed musician Fats Domino, in the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017. Domino, the amiable rock 'n' roll pioneer whose steady, pounding piano and easy baritone helped change popular music while honoring the traditions of the Crescent City, died early Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017. He was 89. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
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Angela Cruz, 7, center, Jordan, 9, left, and Joseph, 5, peer through the fence of the former home of famed musician Fats Domino, in the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017. Domino, the amiable rock 'n' roll pioneer whose steady, pounding piano and easy baritone helped change popular music while honoring the traditions of the Crescent City, died early Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017. He was 89. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
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John Jenks takes a selfie photo in front of the former home of famed musician Fats Domino, in the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017. Domino, the amiable rock 'n' roll pioneer whose steady, pounding piano and easy baritone helped change popular music while honoring the traditions of the Crescent City, died early Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017. He was 89. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
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FILE - In this April 24, 2003 file photo, Fats Domino performs on the opening day of the 34th annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in New Orleans. Domino, the amiable rock 'n' roll pioneer whose steady, pounding piano and easy baritone helped change popular music even as it honored the grand, good-humored tradition of the Crescent City, has died. He was 89. Mark Bone, chief investigator with the Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, coroner's office, said Domino died Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Douglas Mason, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this Dec. 20, 2013 file photo, legendary musician Fats Domino is named "Honorary Grand Marshall" of the Krewe of Orpheus, the star-studded Carnival club that traditionally parades the night before Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Domino, the amiable rock 'n' roll pioneer whose steady, pounding piano and easy baritone helped change popular music even as it honored the grand, good-humored tradition of the Crescent City, has died. He was 89. Mark Bone, chief investigator with the Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, coroner's office, said Domino died Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Doug Parker, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this May 30, 2009 file photo, Fats Domino visits with Little Richard in a dressing room after Richards' performance at The Domino Effect, a tribute concert for Domino, at the New Orleans Arena in New Orleans. Domino, the amiable rock 'n' roll pioneer whose steady, pounding piano and easy baritone helped change popular music even as it honored the grand, good-humored tradition of the Crescent City, has died. He was 89. Mark Bone, chief investigator with the Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, coroner's office, said Domino died Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - This Jan. 23, 1986 file photo, from left, musicians Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino and James Brown pose at a reception where they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York. Domino, the amiable rock 'n' roll pioneer whose steady, pounding piano and easy baritone helped change popular music even as it honored the grand, good-humored tradition of the Crescent City, has died. He was 89. Mark Bone, chief investigator with the Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, coroner's office, said Domino died Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017. (AP Photo/G. Paul Burnett)
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