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).
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