FATS DOMINO 1928-2017

Antoine Dominique “Fats” Domino, the New Orleans musician and rock’n’roll pioneer who sold more than 110 million records, died on Oct. 24 at the age of 89. “We are all touched by the outpouring of love and tribute for our father,” his family said in a statement. Domino’s music, including his 1950s hits “Blueberry Hill” and “Ain’t That a Shame”, helped bring rhythm and blues to the white mainstream in the US. Throughout the ’60s Domino, who had eight children with wife Rosemary (she died in 2008), would mark an astonishing run of more than three dozen Top 40 hits. His records inspired generations of performers including John Lennon, who said that “Ain’t That a Shame” was the first song he learned to play. Said Lennon’s fellow former Beatle, Paul Mccartney: “His voice, piano playing and musical style was a huge influence on us.”

BABY NEWS

Singer Ne-yo, 38, and his wife, Crystal, 28, are expecting their second child. The new addition will join big brother Shaffer Chimere Jr, 19 months, as well as Ne-yo’s two children from a previous relationship.

WEDDING NEWS

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum Camille Grammer, 49, will wed lawyer David C. Meyer. She shares two children with her ex-husband, actor Kelsey Grammer. ● Star

Jones, 55, is engaged to her boyfriend Ricardo Lugo.

HEALTH

Simon Cowell was rushed to hospital after fainting and falling down the stairs at his London home on Oct. 27. The America’s Got Talent judge, 58, was released the same day, saying low blood pressure was a possible cause. ● Actress and filmmaker Eva Longoria, 42, recently broke her foot while holidaying in Spain, Us Weekly reports.

UPDATE

Danish inventor Peter Madsen, 46, has admitted to dismembering Swedish journalist Kim Wall, 30, whose remains were found at sea after she went missing on Aug. 10 ( WHO, Sept. 11). Madsen, who had taken Wall onboard his Copenhagen-moored submarine for an interview she was conducting, also now says the journalist died of carbon monoxide poisoning, not as a result of a hatch falling on her head as he had previously claimed. He has pleaded not guilty to her murder.

LEGAL MATTERS

Stranger Things actor Charlie Heaton was detained at Los Angeles airport on Oct. 28 for alleged cocaine possession. According to law enforcement, the 23-year-old Briton was sent back to the UK but not arrested. ● Former Donald Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort and his business associate Rick Gates were indicted on 12 charges, including conspiracy against the US, by a federal grand jury on Oct. 30. They both pleaded not guilty. Former campaign adviser George Papadopoulos pleaded guilty to lying to federal investigators about his contacts with foreign nationals.

DIED

Former Australian governorgeneral Sir Ninian Stephen, who held the role from 1982 to 1989, died in Melbourne on Oct. 29. He was 94.