Early Life and Career

Family of Domino belonged to French Creole Background, that’s why his first language was the French Creole. Domino’s father was a violinist. It was the Jazz Guitarist Harrison Verret from whom Fats learned to play the piano. Domino was at the age of 7 years when he started playing piano for the first time. In early days of struggle he played piano in evening for pennies. His professional career started in 1947 when he performed at a backyard barbecue before Billy Diamond, New Orleans Band Leader. Diamond was much impressed from Domino’s performance that he asked him to join his band Solid Senders. The band played at Hideaway club in New Orleans. Diamond thought that Domino’s style matches with the pianists Fats Waller and Fats Pichon, that’s why he named him as Fats.

Major Career Highlights

Domino’s Career is mainly divided into three periods. The first period is of Imperial Record Era from 1949-1962, Post Imperial Record Era from 1963-1970s and his career from 1980s-2005. “The Fat Man” is said to be the very first record that captured national attention for Domino, it was made in 1949. “Ain’t That a Shame” was the first mainstream pop song of Domino that was released in 1955. Release of Blueberry Hills in 1956 was another big hit. The song was number 2 in top 40; it also topped the R&B Chart and remained on number 1 for 11 weeks. Domino was also inducted in to Hall of Fame. He was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Bill Clinton. Famous Magazine Rolling Stone ranked Dominos as number 25 among the 100 Greatest Artists of All Times. Domino has also credit of the most charted rock hits second to the Elvin Presley. He also received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1987. Domino shows a complete dedication to his community in New Orleans as he attends the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival every year.

Personal Life

Fats Domino married Rosemary Hall on 8th August, 1948. His wife died in 2008. Together they have 8 children; there was a very strong bond between the couple and nothing about divorce was heard. In 2005 Domino’s house in New Orleans was hit by Hurricane Katrina, he decided to stay home due to his wife’s illness. It was thought that Domino has died, a fan wrote Graffiti outside his house, “RIP Domino You will be missed”. Later, the family was rescued by the coast guard. In hurricane, Domino had lost all his possessions; he did many charity concerts after this. His net worth is estimated to be $8 million.