Rock ’n’ roll loses a piece of history
NEW ORLEANS — Fats Domino, the amiable rock ’n’ roll pioneer whose steady, pounding piano and easy baritone helped change popular music while honouring the traditions of the Crescent City, died Tuesday. He was 89.
Mark Bone, chief investigator with the Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, coroner’s office, said Domino died of natural causes at 3:30 a.m. Tuesday.
He was one of the first 10 honorees named to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Domino’s 1956 version of Blueberry Hill was selected for the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry of historic sound recordings worthy of preservation.
Domino became a global star but stayed true to his hometown, where his fate was initially unknown after Hurricane Katrina struck in August 2005. It turned out that he and his family were rescued by boat from his home.
Many wondered if he would ever return to the stage. But in May 2007, he was back, performing at Tipitina’s music club in New Orleans.
After losing their home and almost all their belongings to the floods, his wife of more than 50 years, Rosemary, died in April 2008.
“Fats embodies everything good about New Orleans,” his friend David Lind said in a 2008 interview. “He’s warm, fun-loving, spiritual, creative and humble. You don’t get more New Orleans than that.”