The following came from my buddy Kerri Harrop:
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‘Fats’ Domino Missing in New Orleans
Thursday, September 01, 2005
By Roger Friedman

Katrina Benefits Should Acknowledge Local Legends

Before NBC, MTV, or anyone else puts on a telethon to help victims of Hurricane Katrina, they might want to explore some ancillary issues. To wit: New Orleans is a city famous for its famous musicians, but many of them are missing. Missing with a capital M.

To begin with, one of the citys most important legends, Antoine Fats Domino, has not been heard from since Monday afternoon. Dominos rollicking boogie-woogie piano and deep soul voice are not only part of the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame but responsible for dozens of hits like Blue Monday, Aint That a Shame, Blueberry Hill and Im Walking (Yes, Indeed, Im Talking).

Domino, 76, lives with his wife Rosemary and daughter in a three story pink-roofed house in New Orleans 9th ward, which is now underwater. On Monday afternoon, Domino told his manager, Al Embry of Nashville, that he would ride out the storm at home. Embry is now frantic.

Calls have been made to Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blancos office and to various police officials and though theres lots of sympathetic response, the whereabouts of Domino and his family remain a mystery.

In the meantime, another important Louisiana musician who probably hasnt been asked to be in any telethons is the also legendary Allen Toussaint. Another Rock Hall member, Toussaint wrote Patti Labelles hit Lady Marmalade and Dr. Johns Right Place, Wrong Time. His arrangements and orchestrations for hundreds of hit records, including his own instrumentals Whipped Cream and Java are American staples. (He also arranged Paul Simons hit, Kodachrome.)

Last night, Toussaint was one of the 25,000 people holed up at the New Orleans Superdome hoping to get on a bus for Houstons Astrodome. I know this because he got a message out to his daughter, who relayed to it through friends.

Also not heard from by friends through last night: New Orleans' Queen of Soul, Irma Thomas, who was the original singer of what became the Rolling Stones hit, Time is On My Side.

Lets hope and pray it is, because while the Stones roll through the U.S. on their $450-a-ticket tour, Thomas is missing in action. Her club, The Lions Den is underwater, as are all the famous music hot spots of the city.

Similarly, friends are looking for Antoinette K-Doe, widow of New Orleans wild performer Ernie K-Doe. The Does have a famous nightspot of their own on N. Claiborne Avenue, called the Mother-in-Law Lounge, in honor of Ernies immortal hit, The Mother-in-Law Song. Ernie K-Doe, who received a 1998 Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation, died in 2001 at age 65.

Dry and safe, but in not much better shape, is the famous Neville family of New Orleans. Aaron Neville and many members of the family evacuated on Monday to Memphis, where they are now staying in a hotel. But most of the Nevilles homes are destroyed, reports their niece and my colleague at A Current Affair, Arthel Neville. She went down to her hometown yesterday and called me from a boat that was trying to get near town.

This isnt like having two feet of water in your basement, she said, holding back tears. Everything is destroyed. I am just so lucky to have been born here and to have had the experience of New Orleans."

She confirmed that there had been rumors of dead bodies floating around her Uncle Aarons house yesterday. So far the Nevilles are unannounced to participate in Fridays TV show.

And still there are plenty of other famous musicians associated with New Orleans who would probably like to be on TV if theyre high and dry. The Marsalis family comes from the city, and theyve played at most of the well known clubs like Tipitinas, The Maple Leaf, Preservation Hall and Muddy Waters.

New Orleans is also one of the few cities with a House of Blues. And Jimmy Buffets Margharitaville Caf chain has a local franchise that is still an attraction. New Orleanss trademark sounds are Cajun and Zydeco. So far none of the listed benefits have named an act that plays that kind of music