What Was Lost: Pianos that belonged to Fats Domino

Listen here.

When Hurricane Katrina hit, Greg Lambousy was the Director of Collections at the Louisiana State Museum. He had already been in touch with the family of rock ‘n’ roll legend Antoine Domino, Jr., better known as Fats Domino, prior to the storm. At the time, Lambousy was working with them on an exhibit at the Capital Park Museum about Domino’s contribution to Louisiana music.

After the storm, Lambousy said that one of Domino’s daughters requested help with several of her father’s damaged items in his house, including his two prized pianos — both Steinways: one, a black baby grand and the other, a white grand piano. Used by Domino as mostly practice pianos, they were now heavily damaged by flooding from the storm, with broken legs and corrosion.

All was not completely lost, though. Lambousy spearheaded the effort to restore these pianos to as close to their original shape as possible. With help from National Geographic and famous musician Paul McCartney, Domino’s pianos have been preserved. But they will never be the same as they were when Domino practiced on them.

“Fats Domino was a pioneer in music, in rock and roll, beloved by millions, traveled the world, stayed true to his community and decided to live in New Orleans, despite the fact he could have lived anywhere he wanted,” Lambousy said. “He truly was a big man — like everybody went to him if they needed something. He was there to help, and a very giving person, a very nice person.”

---