Fats Domino was born Antoine Domino on February 26, 1928 in Jambalaya town, New Orleans, Louisiana. Starting out with the Dave Bartholomew Band in the mid-1940s, he signed with the famous Imperial Records in 1949, and his first recording, The Fat Man, reportedly was a million seller. He continued his association with Dave Bartholomew as the co-writer of the majority of his hits.
Even before he achieved his first
pop hit, he had already collected a dozen Top Ten R&B hits. And did
Fats Domino ever have hits! He charted no less than 66 times between
1955 and 1968. Now, get this. He had 11 Top Ten hits, 9 Gold Records,
and yet surprisingly, not one Number One record! The closest he came to
the top of the charts was in 1956 when Blueberry Hill remained at Number Two for 3 weeks.
His popularity continued even in the movies and he appeared in several including Shake, Rattle and Rock!, Jamboree!, The Big Beat and The Girl Can't Help It. Fats was recognized for all his achievements when he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986. The following year in 1987 he received The Grammy's Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement Awards.
This week on Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice presents Fats Domino. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either I'm Walkin' or My Blue Heaven. I'll play the winner during next week's show.
