The Passing of Music Icons 2017 – Fats Domino – October 24, 2017 | Eastern North Carolina Now

    This is a work in progress for the year 2017. When a music Icon passes, their life is documented in many online tributes. When I started this series, I had the intention of recalling personal memories relating to the musician. While there are many sources for the details of their life and death, for many years, I have tried to capture my personal feelings when a music Icon I enjoyed passes. I usually try to write a contemporaneous note and compile them at end of the year. I do this just as a reminder that all things must pass and musicians mark the mood of the times with their music. Bobby Tony

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The Passing of Music Icons 2017 – Fats Domino – October 24, 2017

   I can't remember far enough back when Fats Domino's music was not part of my musical landscape. Granted I was only 10 years old when Fats released his first album in 1955. I don't know what it would have been like to have been raised in New Orleans in the 1950s, but I will always have a mystical pesudo-memory as if I was walking down the street and hearing the likes of Pete Fountain, Louis Armstrong, Al Hirt, Clarence "Frogman" Henry, Louis Prima, and probably a few more that don't come to mind now. Most of those names did not appear in my conscious mind until my teenage years. In my imaginary memory, they all blended into a magical land that was "The Big Easy."

   But the overriding real memory that I have is of Fats Domino and his rolling piano. That is a real memory even though I never made it to New Orleans until much later in life and never saw him perform in person.

   We almost lost Fats in Hurricane Katrina in 2005. He was rescued by boat but lost almost all his belongings including the Gold Records, and Grammy awards.

After initial reports that he was missing, Domino was eventually rescued and, with his wife Rosemary and one of their children, lifted into a boat. "I ain't missin' nothin’," Domino said after the rescue. "Just one thing that happened, I guess. I'm just sorry it happened to me and everybody else, you know?" Rolling Stone

   Fats was the Godfather of rock and roll. He passed away at 89 years old on October 24, 2017. Probably the best tribute to him I have seen is from Robbie Robertson of "The Band." Robbie is just a couple years older than me and apparently had the same reaction to Fats as I did. posted this on his Facebook page.

   Before Chuck Berry, before Elvis, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis and all..... there was “The Fat Man” the incredible Antoine "Fats" Domino. His voice, piano playing, songwriting and New Orleans style was one of the great origins of this music called Rock and Roll and Rhythm and Blues.

I first saw Fats when I was 14 yrs. old on an Allan Freed RnR tour show. He wore a pink suit and had a smile as wide as his piano. When he kicked into “I’m Walkin” he set the place on fire and I couldn’t breathe. The sound, the groove, the power coming from this 5ft.5 bundle of rollicking New Orleans joy killed !!

On The Band’s album Moondog Matinee we covered “I'm Ready” in honor of Fats. I participated in a tribute record to him as well and cut “Going To The River”. With the help of Jann Wenner and the RnR Hall, I had the pleasure of putting together a summit of the remaining founding fathers of Rock And Roll. Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis and Fats Domino gathered in New Orleans. Hearing them tell stories and seeing them together was a tremendous joy that I will forever hold precious.
They all made an indelible mark on music history and we all had great admiration and respect for the phenomenal contributions of Mr. Fats Domino. Blessing to his family,      RR

   My favorite Fats song is below. This is from 2001. He lived a long life and his music defined a generation that today is mourning his passing.