New Orleans and Fats Domino

Out of all the pioneers of Rock and Roll from the 50s, there are a few artists who's names still stand out and who's music consistently passes the test of time. Fats Domino is certainly one of those artists. Right around the same time (1955) Little Richard was releasing "Tutti Frutti," Fats Domino was releasing his first hit for Imperial Records, "Ain't That a Shame." The song quickly climbed to the top ten ("Ain't That a Shame" was later covered by Cheap Trick on their late 70s triple platinum release "Cheap Trick at Budokan"). 

In 1956 he followed up with "Blueberry Hill" which eventually reached number 2 on the Top 40 charts and by 1957 had sold five-million copies, even by today's standards, no easy task. He stuck with his original label, Imperial Records until 1963 but was losing airplay and ultimately sales because of the British invasion. His last big hit was probably "Walkin' to New Orleans" in 1960.

Fats Domino got his start in New Orleans, one of the best music cities in the world. He continued to reside there until the Katrina disaster but still calls the state of Louisiana his home today.

Fats Domino - Blueberry Hill