Fatt's Gets Hold of Lost Discs

Legendary blues singer Fats Domino has been presented with gold discs that were lost or destroyed in Hurricane Katrina at a ceremony in New Orleans.

The 79-year-old musician, who remained in his flooded home after the city was struck in 2005, was given reproductions of the discs. Domino's house, studio and office are currently under reconstruction.

He has also been named as the Recording Industry Association of America's second music legend, after Johnny Cash.

"It's to award those elite artists whose imprint on American music is undeniable and invaluable," said the organisation's Laura Doud.

The ceremony, held at a nightclub in the city's French Quarter, was attended by friends, family and some of Domino's fellow New Orleans musicians.

Irma Thomas, who also lost her home in the disaster, said: "It's Fats. He's deserving of it all.  "We all lost a lot, but he had more to lose. His career was a lot longer and a lot bigger than any of ours," she added.

Music industry historians took months to track down Domino's sales figures from the 1950s and 60s and replicate his presentation discs, including the way they were framed.  The musician's home, office and studio are being rebuilt by the Tipitina Foundation, a musical charity.

It recently completed the recording of a benefit album of Domino covers by artists including Sir Elton John, Tom Petty, Bonnie Raitt and Lenny Kravitz, which is due for release next month.

Domino's home is surrounded by houses which have remained derelict since Hurricane Katrina struck.  He has been living in a gated development of newly-built homes in the suburb of Harvey for more than a year.

Writting Credit: BBC News