R.I.P. Fat Man

[94CougarGrad]

I heard "Blueberry Hill" on my mother's radio when I was five years old. I then walked into our living room and carefully plinked out the melody on our aging spinet with one finger. Mom worked for weeks trying to find a piano teacher in the county who would take on a student so young. Mrs. Courtney was the graceful and proper lady who bravely accepted the challenge, and she kept me as a student until I left for college.

I just heard about Fats today, and I am sad. It's the end of more than one era for me.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/fats-dominos-low-key-brilliance-a-rock-and-roll-pioneer-criminally-overlooked

[baron]

My Elvis.
 

To be fair, he had a good run.

[Mr. Happy]

I saw Fats three different times. Whether it was his live performances or his lengthy string of hits, Fats was the master of consistency. He was consistently great. I remember his last chart record, actually a country song in Fats' style named Whiskey Heaven back in 1980. I have lots of Fats on all of my iPods, including Whiskey Heaven.