Antoine "Fats" Domino, Jr., the grandson of Creole slaves, was born in the Lower Ninth Ward neighborhood of New Orleans. While making ends meet as an iceman's assistant, Fats fell in love with music, adding his own unique style of singing and piano playing. Many would call his first song, "The Fat Man," the first rock-and-roll record. In post-World War II America, the music of Fats Domino would become wildly popular. His music crossed racial lines at a time when African Americans were fighting for civil rights. His songs would also influence a generation of musicians, including the Beatles. Late in his lifetime, he would face down one of his greatest challenges, a hurricane named Katrina. Fats, like New Orleans, would recover, bringing his legendary music to the world once more.