LISTENING IN: Hats off to Fats

The New Orleans street where one of the founders of rock ‘n’ roll spent most of his life was renamed this week in his honour. A community-wide Second line and Musical Celebration was held at the long-time home of Antoine “Fats” Domino on Caffin Avenue, which is now be known as Antoine “Fats” Domino Avenue.

Domino sold more than 110 million records, with hits including “Blueberry Hill,” ″Ain’t That a Shame” – originally titled “Ain’t It A Shame” – and other standards of rock ‘n’ roll.

Rev. Willie Calhoun, who has lived in the Lower 9 his whole life and was one of the celebration’s organizers, said the recognition for Domino was a long-time coming.

“Fats never left the city and he’s never really been celebrated, even though he chose to stay in New Orleans and to raise his family in the Lower 9,” Calhoun said. “He had a choice to live anywhere he wanted and he made the choice to live right here.

Domino survived the massive flooding that followed Hurricane Katrina’s landfall on Aug. 29, 2005, but had to be rescued by boat from his home, where he tried to ride out the storm.

Domino died Oct. 24, 2017, of natural causes at the age of 89, and our tears fell like rain.

Lyrics

You made me cry
When you said goodbye
Ain’t that a shame?
My tears fell like rain
Ain’t that a shame?
You’re the one to blame

You broke my heart
When you said we’ll part
Ain’t that a shame?
My tears fell like rain
Ain’t that a shame?
You’re the one to blame

Oh, well, goodbye
Although I’ll cry
Ain’t that a shame?
My tears fell like rain
Ain’t that a shame?
You’re the one to blame

You made me cry
When you said goodbye
Ain’t that a shame?
My tears fell like rain
Ain’t that a shame?
You’re the one to blame

Oh well, goodbye
Although I’ll cry
Ain’t that a shame?
My tears fell like rain
Ain’t that a shame?
You’re the one to blame