Fats Domino a true Rock ‘n’ Roll legend
It lingered until my dream came true.”
Domino’s immense popularity with Jamaican audiences resulted in him visiting the island in 1961. On that occasion, a record-breaking crowd at Kings Lawn, 19 North Street, Kingston, saw Domino being crowned ‘King of Rhythm and Blues’ by his fans.
A UNIQUE PERFORMER
But even outside of Jamaica, Domino was widely regarded in that light, having covered various brands of blues that incorporated slow rhythms, rock and pop, making him a unique performer.
The inclusion of violins in Rock ‘n’ Roll music was perhaps unheard of until Domino did so with The Valley Of Tears, Three Nights A Week, Walking to New Orleans, Natural Born Lover, and What A Price – a new brand that pundits classified as Rock Ballads.
In effect, he bridged the gap between Rock ‘n’ Roll and the pop fields. Domino also bridged the gap between the young and the old. The liner notes from his album Fats Domino Swings, emphatically states: “Fats is that rare artiste who attracts both adults and teenagers to his brand of music. Club audiences are mostly adults, concert audiences are mostly teenagers, and record-buyers are mostly both.”
Space restraints would not allow us to mention all of Domino’s achievements and experiences. But 65 millionselling records between 1949 and 1960 is worth mentioning; Also, he managed to break down colour barriers as both blacks and whites bought his records in abundance. All this in the face of much segregation (on occasions, Domino was denied lodging while on tours and had to utilise segregated facilities).
Domino’s rhythms like Be My Guest, which accentuate the off-beat, was a prime influence on the creation of Jamaica’s ska music. A succession of rock stars, including Elvis Presley and The Beatles, have credited Domino for their success; His many awards included The Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, The Grammy Hall Of Fame Award and the R&B Foundation Pioneer Award.
Other big hits by The Fat Man included I Want To Walk You Home, My Girl Josephine, Blue Monday, It Keeps Raining, I’ve Been Around, I’m In Love Again, Going To The River, Troubles Of My Own, You Done Me Wrong, and The Fat Man’s Hop – all written or co-written by Domino.