BARRY LEVINE: A tough year for rock legends

It’s been a difficult year for the real legends of rock ‘n’ roll as two original inductees in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame have died.

One of rock’s pioneers, Chuck Berry died on March 18 at age 90 of natural causes. With songs such as “Maybellene” (1955), “Roll Over Beethoven” (1956), “Rock and Roll Music” (1957) and “Johnny B. Goode” (1958), Berry refined and developed rhythm and blues into the major elements that made rock ‘n’ roll distinctive. Writing lyrics that focused on teen life, Berry was a major influence on subsequent rock music.

Then Fats Domino, another of rock’s pioneers, died on Oct. 24. Domino incorporated aspects of his New Orleans jazz roots into his hits including “Ain’t That a Shame” (1955), “Blueberry Hill,” “Blue Monday” and “I’m Walkin’” (1957), and “Walking to New Orleans” (1960). His version of “Blueberry Hill” was selected for the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry of historic sound recordings worthy of preservation.

Berry made his mark with his guitar and showmanship. Domino’s trademark, meanwhile, was his piano acumen.

Of the nine original inductees in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, four are still living – James Brown, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard and Don Everly of the Everly Brothers. Phil Everly died in January 2014.

Predeceasing Domino were Sam Cooke in 1964, Elvis Presley in 1977, Albany native Ray Charles in 2004 and Berry.

Domino reportedly got his nickname because of his resemblance to jazz pianist Fats Waller and because of his size. Domino was listed conservatively at 5-foot-5 and 220+ pounds.

Born in 1928, Domino began playing piano in New Orleans clubs at 14 and cut his first record “The Fat Man” in 1949. It was a rewrite of the drug-addiction song “Junker’s Blues” that many consider one of the earliest rock records. Although it didn’t make the Top 40, “The Fat Man” was a huge R&B hit reaching No. 2 and helped establish Domino’s sound and image.

After is next two dozen releases failed to chart, Domino started rolling out major hits beginning in 1955 with “Ain’t That a Shame” and continued through 1960 with “Walking to New Orleans.”

With the times changing and the British Invasion about to take hold, Domino disappeared from the Top 40 list.

Domino met with The Beatles in New Orleans during one of their first trips to the United States. Beatle Paul McCartney said that he penned the song “Lady Madonna” in direct response to Domino’s hit “Blue Monday.” While Domino’s “Blue Monday” charted the feelings of a hard working male across each day of the week, “Lady Madonna,” which was released as a single in 1968, told the same story but through the eyes of a woman. Domino was so enthralled with the song he covered it later in the year.

After learning of Domino’s death, McCartney issued the following statement on his website:

“Rest in peace Fats Domino, the great rock ’n’ roll pianist and singer who thrilled us in our early days in Liverpool. His hit records like ‘Ain’t That A Shame,’ ‘Blueberry Hill,’ ‘I’m In Love Again’ and many others introduced us to the sounds of New Orleans rock ‘n’ roll. We were excited to meet Fats once in his home town of New Orleans. He was wearing a huge star spangled diamond encrusted watch which was our first encounter with bling! His voice, piano playing and musical style was a huge influence on us and his appearance in the film ‘The Girl Can’t Help It’ was truly magnificent. As one of my favorite rock ‘n’ roll singers, I will remember him fondly and always think of him with that twinkle in his eye. I read that he had eight children. He was named Antoine. His kids were named Antoine III, Anatole, Andre, Antonio, Antoinette, Andrea, Anola and Adonica. Now that is pure Fats!”

“Pure Fats” was the everlasting quality of music he generated.

Fats Domino’s

Top 10 hits

1955 “Ain’t That a shame”

1956 “I’m in Love Again”

1957 “Blueberry Hill”

1957 “Blue Monday”

1957 “I’m Walkin’ ”

1957 “It’s You I Love”

1957 “Valley of Tears”

1958 “Whole Lotta Lovin’ “

1959 “I Want to Walk You Home”

1959 “Be My Guest”

1960 “Walking to New Orleans”

This week in rock history

Johnny Horton, 33, who had No. 1 hit with “Battle of New Orleans,” died when his car was hit by a drunk truck driver in Milano, Texas, on Nov. 5, 1960.

Jimmy Dean’s “Big, Bad John” became the 100th No. 1 single of the modern rock ‘n’ roll era on Nov. 6, 1961. It was his only chart topper.

Albany’s Ray Charles was arrested in Indianapolis on Nov. 7, 1961, after police discovered marijuana and heroin in his hotel room.

Two performers from another generation had Top Ten 10 hits on Nov. 8, 1964. Bonanza star Lorne Greene, 49, was at No. 10 with “Ringo,” and Dean Martin, 48, No. 6 with “The Door Is Still Open to My Heart.”

On Nov. 9, 1958, Elvis Presley’s “Hound Dog” became the third record in history to sell more than 3 million copies, joining Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” and Gene Autry’s “Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer.”

Conway Twitty had the top tune with “It’s Only Make Believe” on Nov. 10, 1958. It was his only No. 1 hit.

“Billboard” magazine published the results of its annual disc jockey poll on Nov. 11, 1955. The most played R&B single was Johnny Ace’s “Pledging My Love,” the most promising artist was Chuck Berry and the favorite R&B artist was Fats Domino.

Barry “The Old Rocker” Levine is an entertainment writer for The Albany Herald. He can be reached at [email protected].