(photo source Hugo Van Gelderen/Wikipedia)

Fats Domino, the beloved boogie-woogie musician has died. Fats was 89, passing away earlier this week on Tuesday with his family by his side. His real name was Antoine Dominique Domino Jr.  Here are a few facts about the music legend you may not know:

Proud Father Of Eight

Fats was a father of 8 children, all with names linked to his or at least starting with an ‘A’. Antoinette, Antoine III, Andrea, Andre, Anatole, Anola, Adonica, and Antonio

The Origin Of the Nickname ‘Fats’

He was given the nickname of ‘Fats’ by New Orleans bandleader Billy Diamond. The name came in part from pianist Fats Waller…and because of his healthy appetite.

As Big As Elvis

In the 50s and 60s, Fats found great success with 11 top ten hits. At the time there was only one other artist who was selling more records, and that was Elvis.

Part Of Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame’s Inaugural Class 

In 1986, the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame announced the first group of legendary musicians who would be inducted as the first class. Fats Domino was joined by Elvis, Chuck Berry and Little Richard.

Fats Domino Day

In his birthplace of New Orleans where Fats’ music is celebrated every day of the year, January 27th was set aside as ‘Fats Domino Day’. It was on that day in 2007 that Fats received a Lifetime Achievement Award during the Best of the Beat Music Awards in New Orleans.

(information from Wikipedia)