Fats Domino was one of the all-time great performers, with his heyday being the 1960s and 1950s. The singer-songwriter was also a trailblazer when it came to rock n’ roll, with his 1949 song “The Fat Man” considered one of the first rock n’ roll records—or arguably the first.
Although that pioneering and million-selling debut was seminal, the pianist is perhaps best known for his songs “Blueberry Hill” and “Ain’t That a Shame”. The rhythm and blues musician, whose real name was Antoine Domino Jr., was one of the first to gain a massive following from a white audience. He had 11 hits in the US top ten with a sound that merged R&B with piano, saxophone, electric guitar, bass and drums.
Domino was born in New Orleans on 26th February 1928, his father a violinist with both parents coming from a Creole background. Domino got into music at a young age, and around 10 years old he learned to play the piano thanks to his brother-in-law, jazz musician Harrison Verrett. By 14 he was playing in the New Orleans bars and from there was hired by band leader Billy Diamond to play in his band the Solid Senders. He got the nickname “Fats” from Diamond, after he reminded Diamond of the playing style of pianists Fats Waller and Fats Pichon—and because of his big appetite. A few years later, in the middle of the 1940s, Domino met trumpeter Dave Bartholomew and joined his band. Then, when Domino was 17 years old, they wrote the aforementioned “The Fat Man” together which helped make the New Orleans sound hugely popular across the US.
Domino’s music was also a huge inspiration to the many artists who came after him, not least Elvis Presley who said he was “the real king of rock’n’roll” and Paul McCartney who wrote “Lady Madonna” as a nod to Domino’s style. His sound influenced many New Orleans musicians too, and even further afield, with his unconventional playing methods inspiring the beginnings of ska in Jamaica. In 1986 Fats Domino was one of the first to be inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. However, at the time he no longer left his hometown in Louisiana, so didn’t accept the award. He died aged 89 on 24th October 2017.
Bob Dylan taken in Italy during a press conference for the launch of his 1984 European Tour
Inner sleeve artwork for Pink Floyd's album Wish You Were Here by Storm Thorgerson
The Clash on stage at the the first large scale Rock Against Racism/Anti Nazi League carnival at Victoria Park, April 1978.
Iconic Purple Haze portrait of Jimi Hendrix by Gered Mankowitz
Noel Gallagher is regarded as one of the UK’s most respected musicians and the mastermind behind Britpop super group Oasis.
Paul Weller is an English singer, songwriter and musician. Weller achieved fame with the punk rock/new wave/mod revival band The Jam.
A unique collection of images of Pink Floyd, one of the worlds most successful and influential rock bands.
David Bowie was a leading figure in popular music for over five decades & regarded by critics & musicians as a true innovator.
Here are the very latest prints we have added to our collection. We hope you love them as much as we do.
Jill Furmanovsky is one of the greatest ever rock & roll photographers with a huge archive of iconic shots of the world's best music artists
Barrie Wentzell is one of music's most respected photographers his portfolio includes many rock'n'roll greats. Here is our great collection
Our contact sheet collection is a rare opportunity to look back at the hidden moments surrounding some of rocks most iconic images.
