*Clarence “Frogman” Henry, one of New Orleans’ iconic R&B singers, passed away on April 7 at age 87.
The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation confirmed his death on social media but did not disclose the cause. According to Rolling Stone, Henry experienced declining health over the past few years and had recently undergone an unspecified surgery.
“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,” the organization tweeted.
Henry’s hits in the 1950s and ’60s included “Ain’t Got No Home” and “(I Don’t Know Why) But I Do.” He attained modest success with renditions of “You Always Hurt the One You Love” and “Lonely Street.”
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
In 1964, Henry joined the Beatles during their American tour. He later told OffBeat magazine that he was paid $750 weekly for the tour.
Following a lull in his career, Henry’s income was significantly boosted when “Ain’t Got No Home” was featured on the soundtracks of several films, including “Forrest Gump.”
In a 2022 interview, he reminisced about crafting his infamous frog-like croak in high school. He achieved this signature vocal style by singing and inhaling simultaneously. Henry attributed the nickname “Frogman” to disc jockey Poppa Stoppa, who coined it in homage to Fats Domino’s moniker, the “Fatman.”
“We do a variety of music,” he told John Broven, the author of Walking to New Orleans (1974), The Guardian reports. “We don’t cater to one style of songs. We do Dixieland, pop, the classics, you know. We don’t do opera, though. The only thing we do is soap opera.”
Henry was slated to perform at the 2024 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on April 25.
Henry was married and divorced seven times, marrying one woman twice, nola.com reports. He is survived by 10 children and 19 grandchildren.
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