Antoine Dominique Domino Jr. (February 26, 1928 – October 24, 2017), known as Fats Domino, was an American pianist and singer-songwriter. One of the pioneers of rock and roll music, Domino sold more than 65 million records. Born in New Orleans to a French Creole family, Domino signed to Imperial Records in 1949. His first single "The Fat Man" is cited by some historians as the first rock and roll single and the first to sell more than 1 million copies. Domino continued to work with the song's co-writer Dave Bartholomew, contributing his distinctive rolling piano style to Lloyd Price's "Lawdy Miss Clawdy" (1952) and scoring a string of mainstream hits beginning with "Ain't That a Shame" (1955). Between 1955 and 1960, he had eleven Top 10 US pop hits. By 1955, five of his records had sold more than a million copies, being certified gold.Domino was shy and modest by nature but made a significant contribution to the rock and roll genre. Elvis Presley declared Domino a "huge influence on me when I started out" and described him as "the real king of rock 'n' roll". The Beatles were also heavily influenced by Domino. The artist himself did not define his work as rock and roll, saying of the genre "It wasn't anything but the same rhythm and blues I'd been playing down in New Orleans". Four of Domino's records were named to the Grammy Hall of Fame for their significance: "Blueberry Hill", "Ain't That a Shame", "Walking to New Orleans" and "The Fat Man". He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of its first group of inductees in 1986. The Associated Press estimates that during his career, Domino "sold more than 110 million records".
WikipediaGreat listen, I love this era/style of music, but haven't heard much of Fats Domino. I will definitely be listening to more of Fats' catalog after hearing these tunes. Highlights: -Blueberry Hill -Blue Monday -So Long
Big up Fats Domino!! My grandads favourite artist, and he'd murder me if I gave this any less than 5.
I couldn’t find this album, so I just listened to some random Fats Domino tunes and enjoyed the shit out of them. Also, how crazy is it that the popular naming convention of this era was Body Type + Game = Superstar? Something to think about. - Skinny Yahtzee
Fats is the tits. He's excellent and these songs are utterly classic for a reason. That said, putting a compilation album on this list is 100% cheating. But I just I love New Orleans Jazz and delta blues, so I'm here for Fats.
My first introduction to Fat's Domino was from my dad who loved the show "Happy Days". He, for some reason, knew that "Blueberry Hill" was Ritchie Cunningham's favorite song, and that for some reason, has stuck with me. This album is one of those that is just perfect from start to finish. "Blue Monday" is my favorite song on this album, but they are all fantastic.
What is there to say? It's good old school rock and roll. All the songs are short, sweet and swinging. Fats was one of the many black artists who paved the way for Elvis and everyone thereafter.
I’ve always been a fan of 50s rock and roll, so I quite enjoyed this, though it was quite difficult to actually find this particular album. I ended up cobbling together most of the songs from different albums to sort of listen to it. Anyway, it was enjoyable.
It's difficult to imagine how dangerous these songs must once have sounded. Today, they're easy listening classics. The singing and playing are flawless throughout.
I adore the vibes of this. It's a joy to listen to, very easy-going and just fun!
Me gustó y ya. Sin duda, aguante los negros y su cañona creación de la música moderna. Fav: Blue Monday
An excellent bridge between eras of popular music from a versatile performer.
this album FUCKIN SLAAPS, every songs a total banger giving anything less than a 10/10 would be a sin it was kinda hard to find this album since it’s not on apple music, but it IS on spotify for some reason so I just made a playlist with the correct track listing on apple music since all the songs are on The Complete Imperial Singles collection (except for The Fat Man’s Hop - which should not be confused with The Fat Man, a totally different song) yeah this album is just the best, I love this sort of rock n’ roll meets jazz meets slight r&b elements it’s such a fun album full of diverse, catchy, iconic bangers I’ve never heard of this blessed man before hearing this album and he’s already one of my favorites now
This is actually the 1956 album - please note! :) I'd never heard of Fats before but you can tell he's a classic class act. Love it!
The original king of rock and roll! This album was a really fun listen. Fats has a warmth to his voice that can lift your spirits even when he's singing a sad ballad. His backing band could swing too! "You done me Wrong" is a great example of that. I enjoyed the back and forth between his voice and the band. "Blueberry Hill" of course is a classic and one of his most famous songs along with "Walking to new Orleans" which would be written and released a few years later. Fats' piano playing is great on the whole album too. The instrumental track "The Fat Man's Hop" really showing off just how skilled he is.
The album finds a hot mitosis of soul and blues, a great insight to the times.
Honestly some of my fav classics that I didn’t even know were Fats Domino 😬
Wonderful. I’m from the 70s so miss stay missed this genre. Listened to it 3 times today
Absolute bona fide genuine legend, and oft-misused and hyperbolic as "legend" can be, it is an entirely accurate and appropriate word in this case. Trace nearly any music one enjoys today, or in the past several decades, and the road likely leads to Fats Domino. Take his story and how he explains how music came to and through him, and the fuller picture of so much music starts to come together. Love this album, love this music, love this artist. Dang, was he just soooooo damn good.
Another album that defies traditional review, considering that Fats Domino was at, and probably a critical instigator of, the birth of rock and roll. That alone probably justifies a five before I even start listening... Trying to set all that aside, I really enjoyed listening to this. I don't listen to albums from the 50s very often. I'm glad this project is motivating me to do so, because I only recognized "Blueberry Hill" and there are a lot more gems that are every bit as good as that song on this album. I have to say after looking at some of the other reviews on this site I'm a little jealous of the people who were excited after listening to Fats Domino for the first time. I don't think I ever had an experience like that with this artist because he was always there. Still, this album gave me a lot of moments of discovery and delight. THIS IS FATS DOMINO is fantastic!
Had a great time with this today. Lots of fun tracks, great blues, and some very fine piano playing. A+.
“Blueberry Hill” has been a favorite since “Happy Days.” So much fun to listen to the whole album!
Ce n’est pas parfait comme enregistrement, les musiciens ne sont pas toujours su’a coche et c’est un peu répétitif, mais c’est l’essence du rock and roll.
Great Album. Blueberry Hill alone makes it great, but each song is amazing.
Yes! I was very excited I got this album today! Classic Rock 'n Roll! Don't know his work that well, but everyone know this man's Blueberry Hill. It's ashame Spotify doesn't have the licence for the whole album so I had to listen to the whole thing somewhere else, yarhg! Great album, I hope there's more like this in the future.
Nice and beautiful album, first time I listen too it.. And I like it..
This was a teriffic album! Fats Domino was revolutionary at his craft. Every song on this album is awesome! I can imagine hearing this in the 50's and how different it must have sounded. To be someone credited with influencing the king of rock and roll Elvis Presley! Fats' piano playing is flawless, and his bluesy lyric delivery make him stand out as one of the greats! The piano solo in La La is fantastic!! I love The swing style feel of this record. Favourite songs : all of them, but stand out songs include : Blueberry Hill, Blue Monday, La La, What's the Reason I'm Not Pleasing You, Poor Poor Me, Troubles of My Own Least favourite song: if forced to pick, The Fat Man's Hop only because it is an instrumental number 5/5
Listened to a similar record as couldn’t find this specific one. Didn’t realize how amazing it was. Definitely at the root of a lot of what I listen to to this day.
I always get rather excited when I get a very old album or a very new one to listen to. It seems like at least 50% of the albums in 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die are from the 70’s, so the outliers such as Fats Domino are markedly different to the majority. Songs I already knew: Blueberry Hill Favourites: Blueberry Hill, La La, Trust In Me Despite not hearing much Fats Domino prior to today, when I was around 10 years old in 2000, I was somewhat obsessed with Buddy Holly and the Crickets, and this album has a very similar vibe to them. Rock doesn’t really roll any more like it used to - there are plenty of rock bands still making good music, but very few that I’d consider rock and roll. Fats Domino delivers very well here, which excellent use of instruments, and an excellent voice to go with it. A fantastic album that I’d recommend to anybody that likes the oldies.
I had to cobble this together from compilations as the album is not available on Apple Music, but I loved it regardless. I never get tired of 50s rock and roll.
Great album, even today the sounds, vocals and music are fresh and noteworthy!
Pioneren av klassisk, 50-talls rock&roll -har ikke hørt gjennom et helt album av Fats Domino før, men dette var gøy! Fantastisk pianospill!
Blueberry Hill- 8.7 Honey Chile- 8 What's the Reason I'm Not Pleasing You- 8.4 Blue Monday- 8.3 So Long- 8.5 La La- 8.2 Goin' Home- 7.5 Mardi Gras in New Orleans- 8 Not all tracks were on Spotify and extra points for being consistently good...
It was a pain in the ass to have to supplement the missing songs with YouTube videos but it was still a really, really good album. This is just some good time music. I need more Fats in my musical diet (hat har har) but seriously I loved this. P.S. Blue Monday may be completely different from the song of the same name that New Order would later record, but I absolutely adored it.
Can't go wrong with Fats. It's funny how its close to impossible to navigate through his album during the 50/60's. All named similar and with his wonderful face on the album covers.
Seems like there's a decent amount of jazz influence in this rock n' roll. Fats is a classic. If this site had half stars, it'd be closer to 3.5. Favorite tracks: "Blue Monday", "Reelin' and Rockin'"
Figura muito importante pro surgimento do rock. Influência grande nos Beatles.
- Classic blues. Aged better than I expected. Clear voice, clear instruments
Beautiful soulful songs, too bad it's missing about half the tracks on Spotify.
Nota 4 pelo valor histórico e pela influência de Fats na música e, claro é música de primeira
Finally, an album whose significance I can immediately understand. Some of the finest work of early rock n' roll. It would be nice if the recordings were a little better, but there's not much that can be done with that. Very upbeat album, even when he's singing the blues 4/5
Loved it! Excellent Louisiana swing and blues. Messy and lots of fun. Great grooves!
Absolutely classic, not a weak track on here. There's no escaping the groove on any of these tracks thanks to the strong instrumentation and lyrics from Fats.
The master of rock n roll piano. The only song missing on this is Ain’t That a Shame. This is a good, short rocker that I can listen to over and over again. Also for being from the 50s, it is recorded very well. Favorite track: Blueberry Hill Least favorite track: You Done Me Wrong
I didn't find this album, but I listened through some greatest hits and am glad I did! What a legend, blending swing, blues, and early rock together to create upbeat, fun, and entertaining songs.
Good album, brilliant voice. Can't see myself revisiting it often but it's still nice to hear.
An interesting mix of blues, jazz and rock. The recording privileges voice over the instruments which is a shame because it sounds like the playing is good. I like this.
I couldn't find the specific album so I can only give a four, but ever since I sat Treme I've loved me some Fats. My favourite of the early rock and roll era pioneers.
This is the kinda stuff I was hoping to discover on this list. I knew a few of these songs, but the whole record was great.
This knows what it is. Short, simple, sweet. Great sound that has established itself in everything leading up to today.
Unfortunately not fully available on Spotify, but fantastic song writing, stunning Voice, can tell song structures influenced future music in a huge way
R&B, piano-blues y swing. Rock&Roll primigenio, usa el piano como instrumento principal. Mucho rollo de Orleans. Corto y directo, bonito y divertido.
Fun and fresh album! Despite being an antique by this point, most of the songs on this album are very good! While the old familiars like blueberry hill, blue Monday, and honey chile draw me in, I'm loving new discoveries like fat man hop. I rate it 3.5, but will up it to 4 due to a history handicap.
Had to reconstruct this album because it's not listed on Spotify. Pretty good though! Fats Domino sounds much different than I expected tbh (based on his name alone). As a man of no culture I tend to not like music from the 60s or earlier but I genuinely liked this work!
Solid album. I have not listened to him much, but respect his being the foundation for a lot of other music.
Sweet album, feel like it could be played anywhere and not be out of place. At the same time, nothing super stand-out-ish about it, just a pleasant listen all round.
Н: Чилловый, вечерний, славный Э: под него хочется замешивать тесто для сдобных булочек
R&B/Soul/Blues. Smooth, easy, toe-tapping listening. This is what you think of when you think of soul/blues. Couldn't find the album on Spotify; sourced the songs and built a custom playlist.
In alcuni momenti mi sembrava di essere da Tiger, in altri a New Orleans. Molto carino
I’m disappointed that not all of this was on Spotify. I was really enjoying the sound of it.
What’s not to like here? The guy’s a legend and every song is super listenable even 60ish years later.
Very early rock, rhythm and blues, pop. NIce simple but catchy arrangements with Fats Domino's signature voice leading the way. It's completely enjoyable and incredibly charming.
La parte del disco que estaba disponible en spotify me agradó, tiene buen ritmo, suena mucho al soundtrack usual que ponen películas y series para los 50. Todo bien, agradable, 8/10
Classic rock n roll, what's not to love. "Blueberry Hill" is era defining. Fave track - "La-La", or "Troubles of My Own" - they both have a backing rhythm that makes me think of a locomotive chugging away...
Really liked this as background music when cooking, can imagine playing it more