Fats Domino
Stack & Billy
The Fabulous Mr. D / A Lot of Dominos
Fats Domino recorded a version of Stack and Billy, a variant of the Stagger Lee story, as part of his vast contribution to early rock and roll and rhythm and blues. His rendition, though less well-known than Lloyd Price's or earlier blues versions, reflects Domino's characteristic style, combining a laid-back vocal delivery with a rollicking New Orleans piano accompaniment.
Fats Domino's take on the song infuses the tragic tale with a smoother, more upbeat rhythm typical of his sound, which often made even somber stories feel danceable. This stylistic choice aligned with his role in bridging blues and early rock and roll, making blues-based narratives more accessible to a broader audience during the 1950s and 1960s. However, Stack and Billy remains one of his lesser-known recordings, overshadowed by massive hits like Blueberry Hill and Ain't That a Shame.
Stagger Lee
Live at Montreux - 1973
This live version showcases Domino's distinctive piano-driven rhythm and blues style. The performance captures the energetic atmosphere of the Montreux Jazz Festival and adds his unique New Orleans flavor to this well-known tale of Stagger Lee.