Sometimes fame and success take time; it may take years. Today, a very recognizable song is “Blueberry Hill.” Most folks associate that song and its time period with the 1950s’.
The song was written in 1940, just before WWII, and was met with very little success. It was recorded by a few big bands of the day, but nothing big happened. In 1956, a fella out of New Orleans made a recording of the song on the Imperial label and sold five million copies. Today, who knows how many copies have been sold. I remember being in a pizza place in Rome, Italy and hearing that song. Another time in Germany, and another time on a ship sailing into the Panama Canal. The song and the artist today are recognized and played all over the world.
On Blueberry Hill, when I found you
The moon stood still on Blueberry Hill
And lingered until my dream came true
The wind in the willow played love’s sweet melody
But all of those vows you made were never to be
Though we’re apart you’re part of me still
For you were my thrill on Blueberry Hill
The one who made that song famous and such a success was Fats Domino. He has that great piano lead into the song. Today is his birthday, and the fat man turned 85 years old. If you grew up in the mid to late 1950s’, no last names were needed. It was Elvis, Jerry Lee, Little Richard, Chuck, Ricky and Fats … happy birthday, Fats!
Fame can be slow or quick to come and also slow or quick to leave. Fats is still with us, living in New Orleans, Louisiana.
“You’re part of us still, for you were our thrill on Blueberry Hill”
February 26, 2013
Keep on,
Larry Adamson