Residents of the Lower 9th Ward pulled out all the stops on Oct. 15 to celebrate the renaming of Caffin Avenue to Fats Domino Avenue, a change authorized by the City Council last year.

The new blue street sign pays homage to a humble superstar who played to sellout crowds around the world but felt most comfortable in his native Lower 9th Ward.

“Fats Domino never left the 9th Ward,” said baritone saxophonist Roger Lewis, now 81, who toured with Domino. “He’s been all over the world but he built his house in the 9th Ward, he lived in the 9th Ward, and he hung out with the same friends when he used to go to the little bar rooms. He was a homeboy.”

The celebration included a second line from Domino’s house to Oliver Bush Park where musical tributes and speeches were offered. Those in attendance included members of Domino’s family, friends and elected officials.

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New Orleans native Nigell Moses graduated summa cum laude from Xavier University of Louisiana with a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication. She is a published contributing writer, with stories in The...

La’Shance Perry is a cum laude graduate of Xavier University of Louisiana with a bachelor’s degree in mass communication. She is also a published writer and photographer with work featured in Data...