'Blueberry Hill' singer Fats Domino has died, aged 89.
The famously large singer, real name Antoine Domino Jr, inspired Elvis Presley and the Beatles and had one of the earliest rock'n'roll hits in 'The Fat Man', recorded in 1949.
He found a mainstream audience with 1955's 'Ain't That a Shame', and his biggest hit 'Blueberry Hill' came the following year, eventually selling more than 5 million copies.
Domino was one first acts inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame when it opened in the mid-1980s.
Presley called him the "real king of rock'n'roll", and Paul McCartney once said the Beatles' 'Lady Madonna' was a homage to him. Domino quickly released his own version of the song.
Despite his fame, he chose to stay in the working class neighbourhood of New Orleans where he grew up.
During 2005's Hurricane Katrina it was believed he had drowned, with spraypaint appearing on his house reading 'RIP Fats. You will be missed.' It later emerged he'd been rescued by helicopter.
He died at home after battling a long illness.
Newshub.
