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Fats Domino
Fats Domino was born in New Orleans in 1926. His first hit was "The Fat Man" in '49. He then recorded a series of hit songs and made it into pop mainstream with "Ain't That a Shame" ('55), hitting the Top 10.  He subsequently had 37 Top 40 singles, including "Whole Lotta Loving" and "Blue Monday".

His '56 version of "Blueberry Hill" was #2 in the Top 40, #1 on the R&B charts for 11 weeks, and was his biggest hit. "Blueberry Hill" sold more than 5 million copies worldwide in '56 and '57.

Fats appeared in two films released in '56: Shake, Rattle & Rock! and The Girl Can't Help It.  In late '57, Domino's hit "The Big Beat" was featured on Dick Clark's American Bandstand.

He continued to have a series of hits through early '62, including "Walkin' to New Orleans" ('60). Twenty-two singles were double-sided ones.  After moving to ABC-Paramount Records in '63, however, Domino's his career went slowly downhill. After a hit with "Red Sails In The Sunset" ('63), by late '64 the Beatles and others changed the record-buying tastes of the public.

He made national headlines once more after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. He refused to evacuate, was thought to have died, but was rescued by Coast Guard helicopter.  Although in declining health, he performed at a benefit for hurricane victims in '07, and in that year was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame and the Hit Parade Hall of Fame.  View Blueberry Hill...