Legendary New Orleans musician Fats Domino dies aged 89

Fats Domino, the legendary singer and pianist known for hits such as Blueberry Hill and Ain't It a Shame, has died aged 89.

The New Orleans jazz musician, real name Antoine Domino Jr, died surrounded by his family and friends, according to his daughter.

His death was later confirmed by Mark Bone, chief investigator with the Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, coroner's office.

Domino was credited for being the first true rock and roll singer, with his 1954 hit record The Fat Man becoming the first rock and roll song to sell more than one million copies. Only Elvis Presley managed to outsell the iconic jazz musician during the height of his career in the 1950's. During his career, Domino sold more than 65 million records.

Presley told Jet magazine in 1957: "A lot of people seem to think I started this business. But rock 'n' roll was here a long time before I came along. Let's face it: I can't sing it like Fats Domino can. I know that."

As well as being a known influence on Presley, Paul McCartney said he wrote The Beatles track Lady Madonna to emulate Domino's famous piano-playing and singing style.

Domino was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986 and was also presented with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1987.

Domino had scaled down his public appearances in recent years and stopped performing in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the 2005 disaster in which he was famously feared to have been killed in.

Writer Keith Spera once said that Domino was second only to Louis Armstrong in terms of influence and significance for New Orleans music.

He said: "It is difficult to imagine him habitating any other environment than his natural one," according to WWLTV. "You can take Domino out of New Orleans – rarely – but you cannot take the New Orleans out of Domino."