Posted on 09/22/2016 3:53:13 PM PDT by BBell
When the Beatles visited New Orleans for their now-legendary City Park concert in September 1964, they had two primary requests. Following the show, they wanted a day off from their grueling 25-concert, 30-day tour, in order to bask in the music of one of America's most soulful cities; and they wanted to meet local musician Fats Domino, one of their major influences.
As far as that day off goes, it was scheduled – and then un-scheduled when the band was offered a reported $150,000, which is said to be about six times their normal fee, to add a last-minute concert in Kansas City to the jam-packed tour schedule. (After leaving New Orleans and arriving in Kansas City, the band was asked if there was any place in America they'd love to see. Beatle John Lennon's wistful reply: "New Orleans is one of them.")
And as for meeting the notoriously shy Fats? Well, in that case, they scored – and there's photographic evidence to prove it.
Two photos from that meeting make it into Ron Howard's new Beatles documentary "Eight Days a Week: The Touring Years." And while they are, somewhat disappointingly, the only images from the lads' New Orleans stop to make it into the film, they are still priceless images of an impromptu summit of rock 'n' roll legends.
So, a music fan might wonder, how did that meeting come together anyway? And what's the story behind that photograph?
It's a tale that starts with a Frogman – the Frogman, in fact.
"New Orleans' own Clarence 'Frogman' Henry was one of the opening acts for the City Park concert," said New Orleans tax attorney and Beatles authority Bruce Spizer, who also served as fact-checker on Howard's film. "He joined the Beatles tour midway as a replacement for the Righteous Brothers, who
(Excerpt) Read more at nola.com ...
New Orleans musician Fats Domino, second from right, meets with the Beatles -- from left, Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and John Lennon -- in a trailer behind New Orleans' City Park stadium before the band's concert there in September 1964. The Beatles were big fans of Domino's and wanted to meet him while in town.
It's a good thing they pointed out that Fats is the second one on the right or I would have never known it. I may have even confused him with Ringo Starr.sarc
Lady Madonna is reportedly, played in a Fats Domino style. I hear it.
Rush Limbaugh revived Clarence “Frogman” Henry’s career a bit by using his “Ain’t Got No Home” for his homeless update.
Thank you for posting this article and picture. I am a fan of the music of both Fats Domino and the Beatles.
Who sang Lady Madonna? It does not sound like any of them
I was also a fan of Fats Domino’s music, grew up with it.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Fats+Domino
Paul
In those innocent days there was no security so after the show my buddy and I went back stage and talked with him. He was exhausted but still a gentleman of the highest order talking with his fans.
I remember my older sister had a yellow 45 Fats Domino record. I don’t remember what caused it but she made me really mad one day so I took her yellow 45 and I flung it out the door, it flew really well just like a frisbee.
I eventually learned to like his music, but I think I enjoyed flying his records more than listening to them.
“Lady Madonna is reportedly, played in a Fats Domino style. I hear it.”
Fats himself covered the song on his album “Fats Is Back” in ‘68.
Everything you wanted to know about the song. Such as:
It was also their final release on Parlophone/Capitol. From Hey Jude onwards, The Beatles released all their subsequent singles and albums on their own Apple Records label.
From The Beatles Bible - Lady Madonna
Everything you wanted to know about the song. Such as:
It was also their final release on Parlophone/Capitol.
Ain’t that a shame.
It was indeed, that is until he got his thrill on Blueberry Hill.
I can hear it too.
Your welcome. Fats still opens the annual Jazz Fest but he has not performed in years.
That is a funny story. You must have been pretty mad.
I play in a senior center band (65-98 year old members) in Ohio. We play mostly songs from the 20’s-40’s mostly. My twin brother plays guitar in Virginia. One night he called me. We were talking guitar and he asked me if I was still playing the old songs. He suggested I play some of the 50’s and 60’s music. I asked if he liked Fats Domino, and he said Blueberry Hill was one of his favorite songs. I told him Blueberry Hill was written in 1940.
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