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Copyright © 2002-2004
by James P. Hauser except where otherwise noted.  All rights reserved.

The Blues and Rock 'n' Roll Connections

of

Fats Domino

Antoine "Fats" Domino, one of rock 'n' roll's great pioneers, was born and raised in New Orleans and learned to play piano as a young boy.  His musical influences include one of R&B's biggest stars, Louis Jordan; the great jazz piano player Fats Waller; and a fine blues musician from Domino's home town named Champion Jack Dupree

Domino had his first hit all the way back in late1949/early 1950 with "The Fat Man", a record which reworked Champion Jack Dupree's "Junker's Blues".  This landmark recording preceded, by several years, the first records made by Elvis, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, and Little Richard.  The "Fat Man" was followed by a load of other R&B hits including "Goin' Home", "Rosemary", "Please Don't Leave Me", "You Done Me Wrong" and "Goin' to the River'".  Dave Bartholomew, an outstanding musician, producer, arranger, and bandleader, teamed up with Fats to co-write many songs and they also worked together to create hit records out of them. 

Domino was already a big star in the rhythm 'n' blues world before rock 'n' roll exploded onto the music scene in the mid-1950s.  In 1955, he first crossed over to rock 'n' roll with the hit "Ain't That a Shame".  The following year, he had a smash with "Blueberry Hill" which became his signature song.  Many other rock hits followed such as "Blue Monday", "I'm Walkin'", "Whole Lotta Lovin'", and "Walking to New Orleans".

Domino was such a popular recording star that he sold more records than any other 1950s rock 'n' roller except Elvis Presley.  His music has been recorded by Elvis, Buddy Holly, John Lennon, Ike & Tina Turner, and Jerry Lee Lewis, to name just a few.  In 1986, he was included in the initial group of musicians who were inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame.

More of Fats Domino's rock 'n' roll and blues connections:

Fats Domino records which have been recorded by rock, blues and R&B musicians and bands are listed below.

"Ain't that a Shame" - Cheap Trick, The Four Seasons, Ronnie Hawkins, John Lennon, Rick Nelson, T-Rex, Ike & Tina Turner

"Blue Monday" - Bobby Darin, Georgie Fame, Buddy Holly, Wilbert Harrison

"I'm Walkin'" - Jerry Lee Lewis, Rick Nelson, Carl Perkins

"My Girl Josephine" - Jerry Lee Lewis, Flamin' Groovies

"Let the Four Winds Blow" - Bobby Vee, The Searchers

The Fats Domino--Beatles Connection

The Beatles wrote and recorded two songs, "Birthday" and "Lady Madonna", which were inspired by the music of Fats Domino.  "Birthday" is virtually a catalog of riffs from Domino's many records.  "Lady Madonna" was also based on Domino's musical style.  In The Ultimate Beatles Encyclopedia, author Bill Harry noted that "Lady Madonna" was written and recorded on the very day that The Beatles first saw the rock 'n' roll movie The Girl Can't Help It, starring the incredibly voluptuous Jayne Mansfield and featuring an on-screen performance by Fats Domino (plus Little Richard, The Platters, Gene Vincent, and Eddie Cochran).  Domino went on to record his own version of "Lady Madonna" which earned him a minor hit.

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