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Fats Domino

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Fats Domino's full name was Antoine Caliste Domino and he was born in New Orleans in 1928, into a French-speaking Creole family. Around the age of ten he learned to play the piano from his brother-in-law, a jazz guitarist. At fourteen he was already playing in the bars of the city. Bandleader Billy Diamond heard him at a barbecue in 1947, took him into his band and gave him the nickname Fats.

Music and breakthrough

In 1949 he signed with Imperial Records. With the producer and trumpeter Dave Bartholomew he wrote The Fat Man, a polished version of an old blues song. With its rolling piano, Domino's humming wah-wah and a solid backbeat, some historians regard it as the first rock 'n' roll single. A million copies were sold. Domino also played piano on Lawdy Miss Clawdy by Lloyd Price (1952). From Ain't That a Shame (1955) a long run of hits followed, including Blueberry Hill and Walking to New Orleans. His band, with saxophonists such as Herbert Hardesty and Lee Allen and the drummer Earl Palmer, gave the records their warm, relaxed New Orleans sound.

Influence

Domino was shy and modest, but his influence was great. Elvis Presley called him the real king of rock 'n' roll, and The Beatles too learned from him. In 1986 he was among the very first group of artists in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He died in 2017.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to The Fat Man and notice Domino's left hand on the piano, which keeps repeating a rolling pattern. Hear how he sings wah-wah above it, and how the drums hit firmly on the second and fourth beats.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

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See also

Categories: ArtistsRhythm and blues