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Ain't That a Shame -- The Passing of Fats Domino

AIN'T THAT A SHAME -- the passing of the Fat Man

I woke up to find out Fats Domino has died at 89. He was one of my favorites. As a little kid, I'd borrow my mom's 45's (remember those?). I'd listen to all his great songs: I'm Walkin', I Want to Walk You Home, Whole Lotta Lovin'.

As kids in the '70s, most of my friends only knew his stuff when Richie Cunningham would sing "Blueberry Hill" on Happy Days, or when Cheap Trick had a hit with "Ain't That a Shame" on their live album (fun fact: John Lennon also covered that song on an album).

I never got to see him live, but...I once bought the handwritten lyrics to "Blue Monday" for $500 at a music memorabilia auction. But when I got them, it wasn't what I expected. They were neatly written out, and signed by Domino. I looked at my album and realized it was Domino's writing partner and producer Dave Bartholomew that wrote that track. So...I got my money back for that. Eventually, I did buy an autographed photo of Domino for about $40. I took an all glass picture frame, and glued dominoes all around the side of it to make my own frame. Still one of my favorite pieces in my music collection.

He'll be missed, but his music will love on.

Tags: Ain't That a Shame, Cheap Trick, Fats Domino, Happy Days, John Lennon

2 members like this

Comment by Robert Babb on October 25, 2017 at 12:10pm: a true music legend! rick nelson also did a cover of im walkin as well! awesome story as well josh!

Comment by Josh Board on October 25, 2017 at 3:02pm: I'd love to hear that version by Nelson. I like his voice. I also forgot to mention that Paul McCartney said he wrote Lady Madonna to sound like Fats Domino...and Fats ended up covering it very nicely, some would say...better than the original. That's a tall order, when you're covering a Beatles tune.

I think Pat Boone or someone had a number one hit with Ain't That a Shame.

Comment by Adam Halloran on October 25, 2017 at 4:11pm: Sad. All that is really left from that era is Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis...I feel like there is a lack of apprecation for the godfathers of Rock.