Fats Domino and The Birth of Rock ‘n’ Roll Full Episode (American Masters streaming)

PBS ^ | Premiere date: February 26, 2016 - Video expires March 25, 2016 | no byline

[a fool in paradise]

Fats Domino and The Birth of Rock ‘n’ Roll premieres nationally during Black History Month on the legendary performer’s 88th birthday, Friday, February 26 at 10 p.m. (check local schedule). The one-hour documentary traces how Fats Domino’s brand of New Orleans rhythm and blues morphed into rock and roll, appealing to black and white audiences alike. Actor Clarke Peters narrates.

Fats Domino was one of the most popular rockers of the 1950s and early 60s. His achievements and record sales during that time were rivaled only by Elvis Presley. With his boogie-woogie piano playing rooted in blues, rhythm & blues, and jazz, he became one of the inventors, along with Presley, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard of a revolutionary genre of music, rock ‘n’ roll.

Fats Domino was born Antoine Domino, Jr. on February 26, 1928. He was the last of eight Domino children and the only one of his siblings born in New Orleans. His journey from a poor childhood in the Lower Ninth Ward to a key figure in rock ‘n’ roll is told using vintage performances of Domino and his band interwoven with reminiscences of fellow architects of rock ‘n’ roll.

Among those interviewed are producer/songwriter/bandleader and longtime collaborator Dave Bartholomew, who co-wrote and produced most of Domino’s hits; J&M studio owner, engineer and producer Cosimo Matassa, who was involved in creating rock ‘n’ roll recordings by Domino, Little Richard, Ray Charles, Lloyd Price and many others; and saxophonist Herb Hardesty, a mainstay of both Domino’s and Bartholomew’s bands.

Learn more about the film: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/fats-domino-and-the-birth-of-rock-n-roll/6230/

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

Thank you sooooo much! I am a Boogie Woogie fanatic. I have a huge collection of piano Boogie Woogie 78 rpm records. I was a huge Fats fan! I’m a guitar player, but the only reason i liked Chuck Berry was for his wonderful lyrics and killer Boogie Woogie piano player. Never cared that much for Chuck’s guitar playing because he was just copying Johnson’s piano licks!
Thanks again!
Bogie

[Fiji Hill]

Up until then, we had to listen to stuff like “Sixteen Tons,” “Canadian Sunset”,”How Much is that Doggie in the Window”, “This Old House,” and “Dance with me Henry.” It was tough, I tell ya.

I like this "tough" version of the song also known as "Dance With Me, Henry." It's by an LA act--Richard Berry, who would later score with Louie, Louie, sings the part of Henry.

The Wallflower--Etta James & the Peaches (1955)

That song was promptly answered:

Roll On--The Lamplighters (1955)

[Scrambler Bob]

M4L Rock n Roll

[a fool in paradise]

He’s been ‘retired’ and out of the public eye since 2006.

[a fool in paradise]

Also on the bill was Chubby Checker, who was clearly over the hill. However, during his performance, he announced to the audience news of the armistice that ended the 1991 Iraqi war.

Maybe Sec. John Kerry should've sent Chubby over to France instead of James Taylor.

[a fool in paradise]

Scatman Crothers did some covers of rock and roll songs for budget labels like Tops.

Be Bop A Lula
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MbnSR6lWM4

Run that one up the hit parade flag pole.

More from the Scatman
My Blue Heaven (which had been covered by Fats Domino)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8-63wEklbg

I’m In Love Again (again Fats)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47XH_08JmaI

I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter (this sounds more like Louis Prima with some Fats Waller mixed in)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-pm3G1D32g

Ghost Riders In The Sky
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIV0oZthUuY

[a fool in paradise]

Also, Fats’ house flooded out during the aftermath of Katrina.

[Buffalo Head]

Thanks for the post.

[Gadsden1st]

You left out the Levis with cuff rolled, long sleeve white shirt with sleeves rolled twice, white buck shoes, and a flat top....Frat look.

[mumblypeg]

Marshall Texas started hosting an annual Boogie Woogie Festival a few years back. Not sure if it’s still on, or if it fizzled out.