Tune Tuesday – The Frogman

Yesterday a New Orleans R&B legend passed away. Clarence “Frogman” Henry passed away at age 87. The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation announced his death but provided no other details. He was scheduled to perform at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival later this month.

Clarence’s biggest hit was one that I remember playing over and over as a kid. He recorded “Ain’t Got No Home” when he was only 19 years old. In the song he sings as a boy, a girl, and frog. You read that right – a frog. He croaks a verse as a frog which, of course, led to the “Frogman” nickname. In 1956 the song hit No. 20 on the U.S. pop charts and No. 3 on the R&B charts.

He toured and continued to record, but only had two other minor hits. One was a cover of the Bobby Charles song “(I Don’t Know Why I Love You) But I Do” from 1961.

The other minor hit was also from 1961 and also a cover, “You Always Hurt The One You Love.”

His success was enough to land him quite a gig – opening for the Beatles!!

Frogman opened for the Fab Four in 1964 on eighteen dates across the US and Canada. That’s not a bad bill to be on!

He remained a popular entertainer at New Orleans clubs along Bourbon Street until 1981, when he retired from the grueling club circuit. He continued to be a crowd-pleaser at the Jazz & Heritage Festival. Even though he hadn’t had a hit in years, his name still drew big crowds.

In April 2007, Henry was honored for his contributions to Louisiana music with induction into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.

This is probably SO wrong, but I have to wonder how many headlines about his passing will read, “Frogman Croaks at 87.”