R&B icon Clarence ‘Frogman’ Henry dead at 87

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Clarence “Frogman” Henry, who was one among New (*87*)’ finest identified old-time R&B singers and scored successful at age 19 with “Ain’t Got No Home,” has died. He was 87.

Henry died Sunday evening, the New (*87*) Jazz and Heritage Foundation mentioned on social media. It did not give the reason for dying.

Henry, who had been scheduled to carry out at the New (*87*) Jazz & Heritage Festival later this month, imitated the voice of a frog in “Ain’t Got No Home.” It was successful in 1956 and later introduced Henry renewed fame when it was featured on the “Forrest Gump” and “Mickey Blue Eyes” soundtracks.

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He credited disc jockey Poppa Stoppa, whose actual identify was Clarence Hayman, as developing with the nickname the “Frogman,” which mimicked Fats Domino’s moniker the “Fatman.”

By 1958, Henry’s recognition waned and he took to enjoying nightclubs on Bourbon Street.

Clarence "Frogman" Henry

FILE – Clarence “Frogman” Henry gestures throughout an interview at his residence in Algiers, La., June 12, 2003. Henry, one among New (*87*)’ finest identified old-time R&B singers who scored successful at age 19 with “Ain’t Got No Home” in 1956, has died at age 87. (AP Photo/Bill Haber, File)

“I thought the sun would shine. I thought my record would always stay out there and stay on the top, but in 1958, the rain came and bring me back to New Orleans,” Henry advised The Associated Press in 2003.

But in 1960, a brand new tune, “I Don’t Know Why But I Do” by Cajun songwriter Bobby Charles and organized by Allen Toussaint, introduced Henry renewed success.

With the Bill Black Combo and the Jive Five he opened for the Beatles for 18 dates in 1964 throughout their first U.S. journey and toured extensively, from Scotland to New Zealand.

In Louisiana, Henry remained standard. He additionally was one of many few black New (*87*) musicians to cross over into Cajun musical circles.

Henry, who was born in New (*87*) on March 19, 1937, began enjoying the piano at 8, taking over classes his sister had disliked. He labored for his father till he was 15, usually for no cash.

He performed the trombone and piano in his highschool band and later joined The Toppers, touring round southern Louisiana earlier than making it large.

“When I was going to school, I wanted to be Fats Domino, Professor Longhair, and I would wear a wig with two plaits and call myself Professor Longhair,” Henry advised the AP. “I like the Fats Domino rhythm, but I play my own chords and my own style.”

Henry’s nationwide fame pale however he remained standard in Louisiana. He was a Bourbon Street fixture till 1981, when he retired from the grueling membership circuit. But he by no means gave up music, and continued to be an annual crowd pleaser at the Jazz & Heritage Festival.

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Funeral preparations are pending at the Murray Henderson Funeral Home.

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