Cosimo Matassa, owner of J&M Recording Studios in the French Quarter where Fats Domino recorded his first album in 1949, has died. Matassa was 88 years old.
Matassa recorded music with many popular musicians including Fats Domino, Dave Bartholomew, Little Richard and Lloyd Price. Smiley Lewis, Professor Longhair, Roy Brown and countless others also created magic at Matassa's studio.
He opened the J&M Record Shop in 1945 and since there were no other recording studios in New Orleans at the time, his studio became a popular gathering place for musicians.
Matassa was inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012. The Hall of Fame also named his Rampart Street studio a national music landmark.
