On October 24, the man widely considered to be the pioneer of rock and roll passed away. Antoine Dominique Domino Jr., or “Fats” Domino was a songwriter, pianist, and singer most popular in the fifties and early sixties.

  Although he wrote and performed in New Orleans as a R&B artist, his style paved the way for the budding movement labeled rock and roll. Fats’s 1949 single, “The Fat Man,” was the first rock and roll record ever sold, peaking at number two on the Billboard R&B singles chart. Selling ten thousand copies in the first ten days and one million in the first three years after its release, “The Fat Man” became an instant hit.

Fats Domino’s popularity rose to immortality with subsequent releases like “Ain’t That A Shame,” “Blueberry Hill,” and “I’m Walkin.’” Fats’s songs reached the Billboard pop chart 63 times and the R&B chart 59 times, with over 65 million records sold.

  His success was only challenged by Elvis Presley (who himself rejected the title of “The King of Rock and Roll” in belief that it belonged to Fats).

  Fats, among the original inductee class, joined the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986. Billy Joel, in his induction speech, specifically accredited Fats as transforming the piano into a “rock and roll instrument.”

  Fats also received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award a year later to recognize his influence on the musical world.

  Fats’s influence did anything but wane over the years – artists like John Lennon and groups like Cheap Trick have covered his songs and garnered success.

  He last performed May 19, 2007 in his hometown of New Orleans.

  In 2007, the mayor of New Orleans declared January 27 Fats Domino Day in recognition of his influence.

  Fats is remembered through his enumerable hits still streaming today, and through all rock and roll hits that wouldn’t exist if he had not opened the door to rock and roll.