Fats Domino boogy woogie piano licks, arrangements that emphasized the upbeat, and infectious energy helped define the early sound of rock and roll. Fats was a true pioneer of the genre, with an estimated 110 million records sold over his lifetime, and has gone down in history as one of the critical pieces of bringing New Orleans rhythm and blues into the mainstream. Legendary artists like The Beatles (who wrote “Lady Madonna” after being inspired by Domino’s piano playing) and Elvis Presley (who famously called Domino “the real king of rock ‘n’ roll”) have all paid homage to the man over the years. Unlike many artists in the genre Domino may have been shy, deferential, and relatively uncharismatic, but the power of his music spoke for itself. And what a statement it made.
Alongside his musical contributions, Fats Domino has received even more recognition in recent years for his role in helping break down racial segregation in the United States. The 50’s were an absolutely horrid time to be a black man in America, but Domino’s wide-ranging cultural appeal (he was one of the first R&B artists to gain popularity with white audiences) helped bring together young people across the racial divide to his shows.
Standout Songs: “The Fat Man”, “Blueberry Hill”, “Whole Lotta Loving”
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