October 25, 2017 The Skanner Page 9
News
Fats Domino, Rock ‘N’ Roll Pioneer,
Has Died at Age 89
Domino, who sold more than 110 million records, was one of the fi rst
10 honorees named to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
NEW ORLEANS— Fats Domino, the
amiable rock ‘n’ roll pioneer whose
steady, pounding piano and easy bari-
tone helped change popular music
while honoring the traditions of the
Crescent City, has died. He was 89.
Mark Bone, chief investigator with
the Jeff erson Parish, Louisiana, coro-
ner’s offi ce, said Domino died of natu-
ral causes early Tuesday.
In appearance, he was no matinee
idol. He stood 5-feet-5 and weighed
more than 200 pounds, with a wide,
boyish smile and a haircut as fl at as an
album cover. But Domino sold more
than 110 million records, with hits in-
cluding “Blueberry Hill,” ‘’Ain’t That a
Shame” — originally titled “Ain’t It A
Shame”— and other standards of rock
‘n’ roll.
He was one of the fi rst 10 honorees
named to the Rock and Roll Hall of
Fame, and the Rolling Stone Record
Guide likened him to Benjamin Frank-
lin, the beloved old man of a revolution-
ary movement.
“We’ve lowered the fl ag and we’re
playing his music all day,” said Greg
Harris, CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of
Fame. He said artifacts including orig-
inal manuscripts of “Walking to New
Orleans,” ‘’I’m Walkin’” and “Blueberry
Hill” were on display.
“Fats is the godfather of rock and
roll,” Harris said.
“On behalf of the people of New Or-
leans, I am eternally grateful for his
life and legacy,” New Orleans Mayor
Mitch Landrieu said in a news release
Wednesday morning.” Fats Domino
added to New Orleans’
standing in the world,
and what people know
and appreciate about
New Orleans.”
Domino’s dynamic per-
formance style and warm
vocals drew crowds for
fi ve decades. One of his
show-stopping
stunts
was playing the piano
while standing, throwing
his body against it with
the beat of the music and
bumping the grand pia- Fats Domino at piano.
no across the stage.
stayed true to his hometown, where his
His 1956 version of “Blueberry Hill” fate was initially unknown aft er Hurri-
was selected for the Library of Con- cane Katrina struck in August 2005. It
gress’ National Recording Registry of turned out that he and his family were
historic sound recordings worthy of rescued by boat from his home, where
preservation.
See FATS on page 10
Domino became a global star but
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
By Janet Mcconnaughey and Kevin
McGill
Associated Press
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