Fats Domino has street renamed in his honor’

He’s recognized as one of the founders of rock ‘n roll.

He has sold more than 110 million records.

He crisscrossed the globe to entertain his fans worldwide.

But when he was not touring, he was at home in New Orleans, in the Lower Nine. And because of that, the city he had a “whole lotta of lovin’ for, the neighborhood he cherished, the street he lived on for “So long” has been renamed in his honor.

The unveiling of Antoine “Fats” Domino Avenue was held earlier this month in true New Orleans tradition that included a community-wide second line and musical celebration.

“It’s been a long-time coming,” said Rev. Willie Calhoun, one of the celebration organizers.

Calhoun told The Associated Press, “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.”

Among the afternoon’s entertainment were Kermit Ruffin, Al “Carnival Time” Johnson, Al “Little Fats” Jackson, The Stooges Brass Band and Domino’s grandson, Antonio Domino.

Fats Domino recorded many best sellers, including “Walking to New Orleans,” “Blueberry Hill,” “Ain’t That a Shame” and “Whole lotta lovin!”

His hit, “I want to walk you home,” took on a special meaning the afternoon of the street dedication. Said Calhoun, “we wanted to bring people back to the area and show them the reason why Fats stayed. He stayed because this is a valuable and viable community.”

Domino died Oct. 24, 2017. He was 89.

This article originally published in the October 24, 2022 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.