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Fats Domino, a New Orleans icon known for his songs, “Ain’t That a Shame,” “Blue Monday” and “I’m Walkin’,” has died at the age of 89.
The cause of death has been said to be ‘natural causes’
According to TMZ, Fats Domino died of natural causes and his body had been released to a funeral home without an autopsy, as confirmed by the Jefferson Parish Coroner’s Office. He died in New Orleans, surrounded by family and friends; he is believed to have been survived by his eight children by his late wife of 60 years, Rosemary Domino, who lost her life in 2008, as well as his grandchildren.
He was said to be one of New Orleans’ ‘greatest treasures’
Domino had been of French Creole descent and was born and bred in New Orleans. Said to be deeply embedded in New Orleans, he became a prominent figure in the relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina, with his own home being destroyed in the storm, with Domino having to be rescued by the damage by boat, according to Nola.
A prolific singer with a career spanning decades
As a musician, he released nearly 59 albums over a period of five decades, well into the 2000’s, garnering over 25 gold singles. He also sold over 65 million records during his lifetime, according to his official website. According to ABC, Domino was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1986, the National Medal of Arts in 1998 and was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Rolling Stone had also ranked him the 25th greatest artist of all time.
