Fats Domino was born Antoine “Fats” Domino Jr, (February 26, 1928 – October 24, 2017) was an American pianist and singer-songwriter and probably the most influential rock and roll performers of the 1950s and 60s, has died of natural causes aged 89.
He was born at home with the help of his grandmother, a midwife, and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, the eighth and last child of Antoine Caliste Domino, a well-known violinist, and Marie-Donatille Gros. The family was of French Creole background and Louisiana Creole French was Fats first language. His name was originally, incorrectly given as Anthony on his birth certificate but was later corrected to Antoine. His family had only just arrived in the Lower Ninth Ward from Vacherie, Louisiana when he was born.
Fats learned to play the piano from his brother-in-law, the jazz guitarist Harrison Verrett while studying shipping management at his local community college.
By the age of 14, Fats was performing in New Orleans bars and in 1947, Billy Diamond, a New Orleans bandleader, accepted an invitation to hear the young pianist perform at a backyard barbecue. He played so well that Diamond asked him to join his band, the Solid Senders, at the Hideaway Club, in New Orleans. It was Diamond who nicknamed him “Fats”, because Domino reminded him of the famous pianists Fats Waller and Fats Pichon, but also because he had a large appetite.
Five of the records he released before 1955 sold over a million copies and were certified as gold records, and he had a total of 35 records in the U.S. Billboard Top 40. His musical style was based on traditional rhythm and blues, and accompanied by saxophones, bass, piano, electric guitar, and drums.
Even after his success, Fats continued to live in his old neighborhood. His large home was roomy enough for his 13 children, but he still preferred to sleep in a hammock outside.
Fats Domino died from natural causes on October 24, 2017, at his home in Harvey, Louisiana, at the age of 89.
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