Fats Domino Dies: Celebrities Mourn The Death Of Iconic ‘Blueberry Hill’ Singer
From the archive: published Oct 25, 2017, 9 years ago. Details may have changed since.
The world is mourning the death of Fats Domino. The rock ‘n’ roll legend, whose birth name was Antoine Domino Jr., passed away of natural causes at his Louisiana home on Tuesday, according to Us Weekly. Fats Domino was 89 years old.
In addition to being one of the first 10 honorees inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Fats sold more than 110 million records during his 50-year career. Some of Domino’s biggest songs included “Ain’t That a Shame,” “I’m Walkin’,” and his signature hit “Blueberry Hill.”
Fats Domino was one of rock ‘n’ roll’s pioneering musicians, and in the 1950s and ’60s he had a huge influence on many future stars, including Elvis Presley, John Lennon, and Paul McCartney. In fact, Presley routinely referred to Fats Domino as “the real King of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” according to the New York Times.
In the 1970s, a new legion of fans became familiar with Fats Domino’s hit song ‘Ain’t That a Shame” when Cheap Trick covered it for their live Cheap Trick at Budokan album. In fact, everyone from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers to the Beach Boys to Led Zeppelin has covered Fats Domino songs over the years. “Blueberry Hill” even became a part of TV history in the 1970s when it was introduced as Happy Days character Richie Cunningham’s (Ron Howard) signature “happy” song. To this day, Fats Domino’s influence can be felt in the music industry.
After news of Fats Domino’s death was announced, many musicians and stars took to social media to pay tribute to the music legend.
Singer Michael DesBarres took to Twitter to write: “A rock & roll instigator and innovator. The great Fats Domino passed away today. A true icon who paved the way for so many.”
"Rest in paradise to Fats Domino. He paved the way for so many." – @llcoolj https://t.co/lIV4MC6rSg pic.twitter.com/jqzyE0zgvr
— billboard (@billboard) October 25, 2017
Other stars, including Harry Connick Jr., Darius Rucker, and Samuel L. Jackson also paid tribute to Fats Domino on social media. Connick thanked Fats for paving the way in the music industry for a fellow New Orleans piano player like himself. Both LL Cool J and Beach Boys akum Brian Wilson recalled listening to Fats’ music when they were growing up.
RIP fats domino… you helped pave the way for new orleans piano players… see you on top of that blueberry hill in the sky ??????
— Harry Connick Jr (@HarryConnickJR) October 25, 2017
I found My Thrill on " Blueberry Hill"! RIP Fats Domino
— Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) October 25, 2017
RIP one of New Orleans' musical giants, Antoine "Fats" Domino. Ain't that a shame.
— Harry Shearer (@theharryshearer) October 25, 2017
Rest in paradise to Fats Domino. He paved the way for so many. I remember listening to his music as a little boy. #Fatsdomino??
— LLCOOLJ (@llcoolj) October 25, 2017
We lost a Rock and Roll legend today. Rest In Peace to the man Fats Domino!! Your music will live forever!!
— Darius Rucker (@dariusrucker) October 25, 2017
Fats Domino you brought me so many hours of pleasure. Rest In Peace Sir
— Charlie Daniels (@CharlieDaniels) October 25, 2017
Fats Domino’s songs were all over the radio when I was growing up. He was a great singer and piano player and his music will last forever.
— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) October 25, 2017
Sad to hear about Fats Domino's passing. What a talented musician he was!
— Josh Turner (@joshturnermusic) October 25, 2017
You can see Fats Domino performing one of his biggest hit songs, “Ain’t That a Shame,” in the video below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbfMlk1PwGU