About Fats Domino
A career spanning more than five decades, producing over 25 gold singles and selling over 65 million records — and all in spite of his success and many accolades, Fats was always been a very humble man with a smile that lit up a room.
Antoine “Fats” Domino was born in New Orleans LA, in the lower ninth ward on February 26, 1928. His parents, Antoine Domino Sr. and Donatile Gros Domino were born in Vacherie, LA. Antoine Jr. was the youngest of eight siblings. During his adolescence he held many jobs ranging from working on an ice truck to working at the Crescent City Bed Factory. However, at a very early age he had an affinity for playing the piano. His brother-in-law, Harrison Verrett was very influential in his piano playing. Little did he know at that time that this would lead to an amazing career. Is unique piano style and voice what later attract millions from all over the world.
He married Rosemary Hall, his wife of 60 years and this union produced eight children. His music career began in 1949. He partnered with Dave Bartholomew, a bandleader and talented trumpet player, who produced and co-wrote his first record, “The Fat Man” in 1949. It was the first Rock and Roll record to ever sell over 1 million copies, soaring to No. 2 on the R&B charts.
Billy Diamond, his road manager, referred to him as “Fats” because the name was a symbol of importance and would be considered to be a classic. This this was just the beginning of a host of hits to follow. They Include “Blueberry Hill”, “I'm Walking”, “Ain’t That A Shame” and “I'm Walking To New Orleans”, just to name a few.
In 1986, Fats Domino received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and was later inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. On November 5, 1998, at The White House, he was awarded The National Medal of Arts from then President Bill Clinton. These are some of the countless awards he has been honored to receive over the years.
His career spanned for five decades which produced over 25 gold singles and sold over 65 million records. In spite of his success and many accolades, he was always a very humble man with a smile that lit up a room, and the love of his fans fans was immeasurable, and they undoubtedly loved him back. They will forever be in his heart and soul.
CHRONOLOGY
- Antoine "Fats" Domino was born 1928.
- Domino's music career began in 1949.
- He partnered with Dave Bartholomew, a bandleader and talented trumpet player, who produced and co-wrote his first record, “The Fat Man” in 1949.
- Domino's debut album, "Carry On Rockin' "was released in November 1955 and was reissued as "Rock and Rollin' with Fats Domino" in 1956.
- He had 37 Top 40 singles.
- Domino performed on The Ed Sullivan Show in November of 1956.
- His 1956 recording of "Blueberry Hill", a 1940 song by Vincent Rose, Al Lewis and Larry Stock (which had previously been recorded by Gene Autry, Louis Armstrong and others), reached number 2 in the Top 40 and was number 1 on the R&B chart for 11 weeks. It was his biggest hit.
- Imperial Records was sold in early 1963, and Domino left the label.
- Domino moved to ABC-Paramount Records in 1963.
- Domino continued to record steadily until about 1970, leaving ABC-Paramount in mid-1965 and recording for Mercury, Dave Bartholomew's small Broadmoor label (reuniting with Bartholomew along the way), and Reprise. His final Top 100 chart single was on Reprise, a cover of the Beatles' "Lady Madonna", which peaked at number 100 in 1968.
- In 1986, Fats Domino received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and was later inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
- On November 5, 1998, at The White House, he was awarded The National Medal of Arts from President Bill Clinton.
- In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked him number 25 on its list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time."
- On January 12, 2007, Domino was honored with OffBeat magazine's Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual Best of the Beat Awards, held at the House of Blues in New Orleans. New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin declared the day "Fats Domino Day in New Orleans" and presented him with a signed declaration.
- Domino returned to stage on May 19, 2007, at Tipitina's at New Orleans, performing to a full house.
- In October 2012, Domino was featured in season three of the television series Treme, playing himself.
- On October 24, 2017 Fats Domino passed away in New Orleans at the age of 89.