“Clean living keeps me in shape. Righteous thoughts are my secret. And New Orleans home cooking.”

Fats Domino died two years ago today—October 24, 2017—at the age of 89.

Antoine Dominique Domino Jr.,  born Feb. 26, 1928 (Pisces), sold more than 65 million records in the 1950s and early ‘60s — second only to Elvis Presley — and had three dozen Top 40 hits.

“Everybody started calling my music rock and roll, but it wasn’t anything but the same rhythm and blues I’d been playing down in New Orleans.”

Interesting stuff about Fats

• His style was a major influence on John Lennon and Paul McCartney.
• He left school at the age of 14 to work in a bedspring factory by day and to play in bars by night.
• His first hit song was called ‘The Fat Man.’
• In 1955 Fats broke into the mainstream pop world with ‘Ain’t That a Shame.’ The following year he had his biggest hit, ‘Blueberry Hill.’

• He had eight children and all their names began with the letter A.
• In 2005 when Hurricane Katrina hit his home town of New Orleans, his house was ruined and he lost most of his possessions, including his gold and platinum discs.
• Fats Domino once said “I’m glad that people liked me and music. I guess it was an interesting life. I didn’t pay much attention, and I never thought I’d be here this long”.

— From Musical Instrument Hire, with thanks.

And we’re walking with you, Dude, all the way.

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