Smokey Johnson, longtime Fats Domino drummer, has died, magazine reports
Joseph "Smokey" Johnson, the legendary New Orleans drummer who played with Fats Domino for more than 30 years, died Tuesday (Oct. 6) after a long illness, according to Offbeat Magazine.
Johnson, 78, was the drummer on many classic New Orleans rhythm and blues recordings. He stopped playing in the early 90s after suffering a stroke.
Johnson co-wrote "It Ain't My Fault" what's now a Mardi Gras brass band standard with Wardell Quezergue in 1964.
George Ingmire, host of WWOZ-FM's "New Orleans Music Show" and the nationally syndicated radio show "New Orleans Calling," said last year that Johnson belonged "on the Mount Rushmore of New Orleans drummers," along with Idris Muhammad, Johnny Vidacovich and Herlin Riley.
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