Picture this: the year is 1986, and the legendary Antoine "Fats" Domino takes the stage at Austin City Limits. Before even touching the piano, he loosens his tie, flashes that signature grin, and nods to the crowd. With just a single gesture, he launches into "I'm Walking," one of his 11 Top-10 hits that cemented his status as a global ambassador for American music in the '50s and '60s. His daughters Andrea, Anola, Adonica, and Antoinette, speaking exclusively to Closer, recall how their dad was happiest when performing. That's where his heart truly lived.
But Fats wasn't just a rock 'n' roll icon; he was also a family man with deep roots in New Orleans. When he wasn't dazzling audiences worldwide, he was home, surrounded by his loved ones. He passed away in 2017 at the age of 89, but his legacy lives on through his music and the memories shared by those who knew him best. His children remember him as a humble, family-oriented man who stayed true to his hometown. Naming all eight of his kids with the letter "A" was just one quirky way he kept things personal. And let's not forget his 61-year marriage to Rosemary, the love of his life. "He wrote songs about her," his daughters fondly recall, "and she took care of his business. They were perfect together."
A Heartbeat of New Orleans
From Jazz to Rock 'n' Roll
Fats wasn't just a musician—he was a melting pot of genres. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame recognized him as one of its original inductees alongside legends like Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry. But Fats didn't just stick to rock 'n' roll. Oh no, he drew inspiration from rhythm and blues, jazz, gospel, and even country music. His daughters recall how Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong, and Hank Williams were some of his biggest influences. "His songs were simple and relatable," they say, "and they broke down cultural barriers." That's the kind of music that resonates across generations.
Read also:Cbs Teases A Jawdropping Family Secret In Tracker Season 2 Finale
Cooking Up More Than Just Hits
Music wasn't the only passion in Fats' life. He was also a passionate cook who couldn't go anywhere without his trusty hot plate for making gumbo. Can you imagine? Touring the world but always bringing a little piece of home with him. Music gave him the means to provide his family with a comfortable life, and education was a priority for him. "It was important to him that we had a good quality education," his daughters explain. Yet, despite his success, Fats chose to stay in the Lower Ninth Ward, the neighborhood where he grew up. In 2004, he said, "They wanted to know why I didn't move with the well-to-do. Well, I was satisfied right here." Even after Hurricane Katrina devastated his home in 2005, he continued to perform to help rebuild New Orleans. "Everyone loved and respected him in the community," his daughters say. "They all called him Fats."
— Louise A. Barile, with reporting by Katie Bruno
