Legendary musician too ill to perform by Keith Spera, Times-Picayune music writer
"Ain't That a Shame" was Jazzfest's theme song on Sunday, but not the way anyone expected. Instead of closing out the first post-Katrina New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival with homegrown rock 'n' roll legend Fats Domino, tens of thousands of fans were left to puzzle over Domino's last-minute cancellation and brief, apologetic appearance.
Domino is a famously reluctant performer. He passed on an offer to play the 2005 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, but agreed to fill in as the 2006 finale after the Neville Brothers declined.
However, Domino's inner circle feared he might back out at the last minute. A small group that included WWL-TV news anchor Eric Paulsen and longtime friends Haydee and Steve Ellis went to Domino's Harvey home about noon on Sunday to accompany him to the Fair Grounds and provide moral support. Domino, 78, has lived in Harvey since he was rescued from his flood-ruined Lower 9th Ward home after Katrina.
But Domino, who has a history of heart problems, said he did not feel well, and wanted to go to the hospital instead. So Paulsen and the Ellises drove Domino to Ochsner Medical Center in Paulsen's black Jeep. Doctors ran tests, which came back negative, they said, but Domino insisted he did not feel up to performing. complete article
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