CLARENCE "FROGMAN" HENRY, 1937-2024

Clarence “Frogman” Henry, the New Orleans singer whose signature croak was heard on his hit “Ain’t Got No Home,” died Sunday. He was 87.

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation announced his death on social media but did not provide a cause. Henry retired from touring in 1981 but was a regular at JazzFest for many decades.

A pianist and trombonist, Henry’s breakthrough was “Ain’t Got No Home” in which he alternated singing in a falsetto, “like a girl,” and later in a rasp, “like a frog.” Paul Gayten, the band leader and an A&R exec for Chess Records, heard Henry sing it late one night in a club in 1956 and rushed him into Cosima Matassa’s studio to record the song with Allen Toussaint producing.

A local DJ, Poppa Stoppa, gave Henry the moniker “Frogman” that stayed with him his entire career despite him singing in a welcoming tenor on most of his records. “Ain’t Got No Home,” released by Chess subsidiary Argo, went to #3 R&B/#20 Pop.

His follow-up, “(I Don’t Know Why) But I Do,” hit #4 Pop in 1961. He had two R&B more hits in 1961, “You Always Hurt the One You Love” and “Lonely Street.” In 1964, he opened shows for The Beatles on their North American tour. Returning home, he performed locally for nearly two decades before retiring.

He was inducted into the Louisiana Hall of Fame in 1995 and given their Living Legend Award in 2002.

It is with profound sadness that we share the news of Clarence "Frogman" Henry's passing. A beloved icon of New Orleans music, he passed away at the age of 87 on Sunday night, surrounded by friends and family. pic.twitter.com/IB8pXAunSy
— New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation (@Jazznheritage) April 8, 2024