Clarence “Frogman” Henry, New Orleans R&B singer behind 'Ain't Got No Home', dies at 87

Clarence “Frogman” Henry, who was one of New Orleans' best-known old-time R&B singers and had a hit at age 19 with “Ain't Got No Home,” has died. It was 87.

Henry died Sunday night, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation said on social media. He did not give a cause of death.

Henry, who was scheduled to perform at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage festival later this month, mimicked the voice of a frog on “Ain't Got No Home.” It became a hit in 1956 and later brought Henry renewed fame when he appeared on the “Forrest Gump” and “Mickey Blue Eyes” soundtracks.

He credited disc jockey Poppa Stoppa, whose real name was Clarence Hayman, as the nickname 'Frogman', which imitated Fats Domino's nickname 'Fatman'.

By 1958, Henry's popularity had waned and he began playing nightclubs on Bourbon Street.

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

But in 1960, a new song, “I Don't Know Why But I Do” by Cajun songwriter Bobby Charles and covered by Allen Toussaint, brought Henry renewed success.

With the Bill Black Combo and the Jive Five he opened for the Beatles for 18 dates in 1964 during their first US tour and toured extensively, from Scotland to New Zealand.

In Louisiana, Henry remained popular. He was also one of the few black New Orleans musicians to cross over into Cajun music circles.

Henry, who was born in New Orleans on March 19, 1937, began playing the piano at age 8, taking lessons his sister disliked. He worked for his father until he was 15, often without money.

He played trombone and piano in his high school band and later joined The Toppers, touring south Louisiana before making it.

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

Henry's national reputation was waning, but he remained popular in Louisiana. He was a Bourbon Street player until 1981, when he retired from the grueling club circuit. But he never gave up on music and continued to be an annual fixture at the Jazz & Heritage festival.

Funeral arrangements are pending at Murray Henderson Funeral Home.