Clarence “Frogman” Henry, the New Orleans R&B singer whose 1956 hit “Ain’t Got No Home” showcased a vocal range that could soar to falsetto and plummet to the croak that provided his nickname, died Sunday. He was 87.
His death was announced by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation on social media. No cause of death was disclosed, but Henry reportedly had been in declining health and recently underwent surgery.
The Heritage Foundation said the “beloved icon of New Orleans music” was surrounded by friends and family at his passing Sunday night.
“Frogman’s absence at the upcoming 2024 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival will be deeply felt, as he was scheduled to grace the stage on local’s Thursday with the New Orleans Classic Recording Revue,” the Foundation said. “Rest in peace, Frogman.”
The very catchy song (“I sing like a girl and I sing like a frog,” went one verse) that rocketed Henry to nationwide fame would eventually secure its place among the era’s novelty classics like “Love Potion No. 9” by the Clovers and “Alley Oop” by The Hollywood Argyles. The song would be used in various films and TV shows, notably Barry Levinson’s Diner (1982) and Martin Scorsese’s Casino (1995). A version recorded by The Band was used for a notable scene in Joel Schumacher’s The Lost Boys (1987), with Corey Haim singing along while taking a bubble bath.
Born in New Orleans on March 19, 1937, Henry began playing piano as a child, picking up trombone and playing both instruments in his high school band. He played with local groups during and after high school, and was overheard singing in the jokey croak style by a Chess Records exec who encouraged Henry to record the song. Catching the attention of New Orleans DJ Poppa Stoppa, who christened Henry “Frogman,” the song rose to number 3 on the national R&B chart and number 20 on the US pop chart.
Henry had a big follow-up hit in 1961 with “(I Don’t Know Why) But I Do” and, to a lesser extent, “You Always Hurt the One You Love,” both in 1961. He was chosen by The Beatles as an opening act for the band’s 1964 North American tour.
While national fame was fleeting, Henry would maintain decades of popularity in New Orleans and among fans of R&B and Cajun-style music. He retired from the club circuit in 1981 but long continued annual appearances at the Jazz & Heritage Festival.