Blue Monday: Fats Domino and the Lost Dawn of Rock 'n' Roll [Paperback]

Rick Coleman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 23, 2007

While many think of Elvis Presley as rock ’n’ roll’s driving force, the truth is that Fats Domino, whose records have sold more than 100 million copies, was the first to put it on the map with such hits as “Ain’t That a Shame” and “Blueberry Hill.” In Blue Monday, acclaimed R&B scholar Rick Coleman draws on a multitude of new interviews with Fats Domino and many other early musical legends to create a definitive biography of not just an extraordinary man but also a unique time and place: New Orleans at the birth of rock ’n’ roll. Coleman’s groundbreaking research makes for an immense cultural biography, and is the first to convey the full scope of Fats Domino’s impact on the popular music of the twentieth century.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"When people get started dancing and having a good time, they don't care what color you are," reflected Herbert Hardesty, one of Antoine "Fats" Domino's band members, on the ability of Domino's music to break through the color barrier in postwar America. It is a recurring theme in Coleman's biography, as are, not surprisingly, segregation and mainstream society's reception to rock 'n' roll, particularly songs by African Americans. Based on interviews and years of research, Coleman's book is well-written and full of lively details about life on the road, recording sessions and how things worked in Domino's inner circle. After making quick work of Domino's grandparents and childhood, Coleman begins a chronological journey through Domino's life, peppering his narrative with important events in music and the civil rights movement. Although Coleman touches lightly on some of Domino's irresponsible behavior-his drinking, womanizing and ambivalence to curtain times set the mold by which later rock stars would be cast-the book borders on hagiography. Also, Coleman's suggestions that the earliest African-American performers of rock 'n' roll are largely forgotten and that there still persists a myth that it all began with Elvis are outmoded at best. However, Coleman's book succeeds as a warm tribute to an American music icon.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Coleman launches the first book-length biography of a New Orleans legend by contending that Fats Domino's 1949 "thunderous rocker," "The Fat Man," has a more legitimate claim than Elvis Presley's "That's All Right" to being the first rock 'n' roll song. He argues that Domino's seminal role in rock history is underappreciated, and it's genuinely easy to agree with him. Coleman intertwines Domino's biography and the story of an American society changing in the 1940s and 1950s so that race and pop music often merged. Domino became a reliable hit maker on the mainstream charts and a smiling TV presence, which was then still odd for an African American. Fats' indomitable spirit pervades the book, even in discussions of his gambling problems, inspiriting the story of an excellent musician who provided a link between such older Crescent City R&B giants as Professor Longhair and young rockers like Ernie K-Doe. Fats Domino's story is central to rock history, making this a must for the pop music shelves. Mike Tribby
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press (April 23, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0306815311
• ISBN-13: 978-0306815317
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #401,984 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An instant classic of New Orleans rhythm and blues and Rock n' Roll, March 19, 2006

By 

Peter J. Riley (Newburyport, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Blue Monday: Fats Domino and the Lost Dawn of Rock 'n' Roll (Hardcover)

I have been fortunate enough to read an advance of this great book. As a fairly knowledgeable and well read music fan this book was a real eye opener on the importance of Mr. Domino in the history of rock n' roll. Mr. Coleman does a tremendous job of not only revealing the stature of Fat's own work but also places it in rich gumbo that is the of history of New Orleans rhythm and blues and rock n' roll.
Colman's deep devotion, love and knowledge of New Orleans indigenous music infuse this magnificent book. It is critical to note that Fats' as both a man and a musician is so deeply embedded in his beloved city of New Orleans that there would have been no way to properly write his story without giving it this context. Consequently we not only have the story of Fat's, we learn about the important contributions of arranger Dave Bartholomew, band leader Herbert Hardesty, the great New Orleans engineer and studio master Cosimo Matassa and dozens of other colorful folk that had a hand in the story.
Extensive personal interviews with the principles and over 20 years of local research have gone into writing this fine story, i.e. this is NOT one of those "hit and run" professional, biographies.
Overriding the narrative at hand is Mr. Coleman's premise (as implied in the title) that New Orleans is truly the birthplace of rock n' roll, and it is a point he makes with intelligence, force and wit. All this makes "Blue Monday: Fats Domino and the Lost Dawn of Rock 'n' Roll" required reading for not only fans of the GREAT Fats Domino but of students of rhythm and blues, rock n' roll and New Orleans music in general and will become, along with the works of John Broven, Jeff Hannusch and others required reading for all fans New Orleans rhythm and blues, rock n' roll and indeed of anyone interested in American roots or popular music.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "I Found My Thrill" Reading This Book !, June 3, 2006

By 

peterfromkanata (Kanata, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Blue Monday: Fats Domino and the Lost Dawn of Rock 'n' Roll (Hardcover)

This superb biography of Fats Domino was long overdue, but worth the wait. I agree completely with the other positive reviews, especially the comments of Mr. Riley. Knowledgable author, Rick Coleman, has captured the spirit of New Orleans' musical legacy, and one of its most famous and talented sons, Fats Domino.

While Mr. Coleman takes us through the life of this important pioneer of modern, popular music, his book covers even wider issues that faced the United States of America as it entered the second half of the twentieth century. The fifties was a watershed decade in a number of social, political, economic and cultural areas. As "baby boomers" entered their teens, they wanted more "freedom"--their own style with respect to clothes, hairstyles, movies and, of course, music. Many found the rhythm and blues music of African American artists to be more exciting than the sanitized recordings of many caucasian singers and musicians, and Fats Domino found a huge audience--both black and white--for one hit after another.

Of course, as Mr. Coleman reminds us, Fats Domino, and other black artists, still had to deal with racism and exploitation every day. The civil rights movement became a force in the fifties that could no longer be ignored, although it was frequently dealt with in a most brutal manner. The book also reflects the rising power of the media, especially that new phenomenon, television. Important historical events--the Korean War, McCarthyism, Sputnik--further enhance this portrait of an important era.

If you are a fan of classic rock n' roll and rhythm and blues, this book is a "must read". While Fats takes "centre stage", you will also meet many of Mr. Domino's contemporary artists--Elvis, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Rick Nelson, Buddy Holly, Ruth Brown, Clyde McPhatter to name a few. Encounters with some of Fats' most famous fans are covered, including the Beatles. You will get an idea of what it was like to travel with one of those legendary "package" tours in the fifties, with 10 or 12 famous names all on the same show.

Fats extraordinary career is detailed, with the many superb musicians that joined and/or left his band--or, in some sad cases, the musicians that passed away much too soon. The influence of Fats' music on what would follow, even reggae, becomes clear. Musician/producer Dave Bartholemew is given much-deserved credit.

If there is one recurring theme, it is the great city of New Orleans and its incalculable contribution to American culture, and to music all over the world. This becomes truly poignant towards the end of the book with the 2005 tragedy of Hurricane Katrina, and the suffering of so many citizens in New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast, including Fats Domino. Fats did not lose his life--although it was a close call--but he certainly lost his home, and many treasures of a lifetime.

The book ends with Fats' optimism that New Orleans will recover, and be as strong and important as ever. Amen, Mr. Domino--thank you for all the fine music ! Oh yes--thank you Mr. Coleman for what must have been a labour of love. Highly recommended reading !

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Hot Sauce On Fats, January 26, 2007

By 

Dave 'Doctor' Pepper (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blue Monday: Fats Domino and the Lost Dawn of Rock 'n' Roll (Hardcover)

I really loved this book - and not just because it quotes my review of Fats' Seventies Australian Tour - but because, unlike most books about Fifties Rock Artists, it doesn't drop dead with the arrival of the Beatles in 1964. It's terrific to read about how Fats went on, recording, playing Vegas and touring around the world pretty much up until the present time when he was rescued from the dangerous waters of Hurricane Katrina. The early stuff is great too - the ripoffs, the gambling (!!), the womanising and most of all the wonderful music, never forgetting that after Elvis he was the biggest Rock'n'Roll record seller of the Fifties. That's the real crux of the matter - Fats' great records, great performances and great charactor - he's an all round wonderful guy. The picture this book paints of the New Orleans music scene is totally fascinating with a cast of larger than life charactors like Lee Allen, Dave Bartholomew, Lew Chudd,Paul Gayten, Bobby Marchan, Huey 'Piano' Smith and so many others. If you ever dreamed of New Orleans, the Land of Dreams this is a book you must read ... and after that get every Fats Domino record you can and play them forever!