One of the architects of Rock & Roll has died. Fats Domino was instrumental in helping to shape Rock & Roll during its infancy is best known for songs like “Ain’t That a Shame,” and “Blueberry Hill.”  To honor the legend and his music, here are some documentaries, books and other ways to celebrate the life of a pioneer who inspired everyone from Elvis Presley to The Beatles to Stevie Wonder.

The Big Beat: Fats Domino and the Birth of Rock N’ Roll, Joe Lauro (Director)

This documentary tells how Fats Domino came up through the New Orleans music scene at a time when black artists suffered great setbacks and degradation in the segregated south. The first documentary of its kind, he Big beat includes live performances of Fats Domino and his band as well as interviews with Fats and other musicians instrumental to the formation of Rock & Roll in the 1950s.

 

Blue Monday: Fats Domino and the Lost Dawn of Rock ‘n’ Roll by Rick Coleman

Biographer Rick Coleman delves deep into the life and cultural impact of Fats Domino. Heavily researched, Coleman’s book includes exclusive interviews with Fats Domino and other legends of his time as well as his contemporaries. You can read an excerpt here.

 

Walking to New Orleans: Fats Domino’s Greatest Hits, Capitol Records

This compilation of Fats Domino’s music is a must have for any long-time fan or for those who are just learning about the legend and his music. The track list includes his best-known hits like “I’m Walkin'” and ‘Honey Chile” as well as some earlier recordings and some of his later work.

 

Goin’ Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino, EMI/Vanguard

A fitting end to this list, “Goin’ Home” is a collection of songs covered by various artists who were, indeed, inspired by Fats Domino. John Lennon, Tom Petty, B.B. King covers are included and make this collection even more special because they, too, are somewhere in music heaven awaiting Fats’ arrival.

 

See Fats Domino in action:

https://youtu.be/xbfMlk1PwGU