photo courtesy of ABC News
On October 15, one of New Orleans’ major streets was renamed after the late rock n’ roll icon Antoine “Fats” Domino. Caffin Avenue was where Fats lived for a large portion of his 89 years and will take on the name of the music legend. The renaming will be accompanied by a celebration with music and a Second Line parade headed by Stooges Brass Band, according to the Associated Press.
Reverend Willie Calhoun is one of the primary organizers of Fats’ celebration, and he spoke to the outlet about his legacy in the city.
“Fats never left the city, and he’s never really been celebrated, even though he chose to stay in New Orleans and to raise his family in the Lower 9. He had a choice to live anywhere he wanted, and he made the choice to live right here,” Calhoun said.
“I think this event will help bring some life and recognition to the neighborhood. The Lower 9 has gotten so much negative press, we wanted to bring people back to the area and show them the reason why Fats stayed,” Calhoun explained, “He stayed because this is a valuable and viable community.”
The celebration will include performances from “Kermit Ruffin, Al “Carnival Time” Johnson, Al “Little Fats” Jackson and Domino’s grandson, Antoine Domino Jr.”
The talented man was a singer, songwriter, and pianist who was active from 1942 up until the last years of his life. At 89, he had sold more than 110 million records with prominent hits like “Ain’t That a Shame” and “Blueberry Hill.”
Fats survived Hurricane Katrina’s damage and again Hurricane Rita. He died of natural causes in October 2017.