Fats Domino Dead at 89

Fats Domino, rock 'n' roll pioneer and New Orleans hero, is dead at 89

Fats Domino has died. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

James Reed
Contact Reporter

Fats Domino, one of the architects of rock ’n’ roll — and one of its last surviving members — died Tuesday. He was 89.

According to the Associated Press, Mark Bone, chief investigator with the Jefferson Parish, La., coroner's office, confirmed the death.

Fueled by indelible 1950s hits such as “Blueberry Hill,” “Ain’t That a Shame” and “I’m Walkin’,” Domino’s music gave the nascent genre a shot of rhythm from his native New Orleans. And he was often credited as proving that the piano was indeed a rock ‘n’ roll instrument.