Rick Coleman, author of Blue Monday: Fats Domino and the Lost Dawn of Rock ’n’ Roll, contributed these simple tributes for Fats Domino’s 70th birthday in 1998.

“The Fat Man” is the coolest debut record ever, defining both the singer and his rockin’ sound, and is perhaps even the fabled “first rock ’n’ roll record.”

“Going To The River” was the first “rhythm & blues” song that Bobby Charles, John Fred and Buddy Holly ever heard.

[caption id="attachment_296064" align="alignr...