Affectionately named `Frogman' for his trademark croak, Clarence Henry – born March 19, 1937, in New Orleans, Louisiana - was a legendary singer and pianist who pioneered the New Orleans rhythm and blues scene in the 1950s. Initially influenced by the likes of Fats Domino and Professor Longhair, Clarence ‘Frogman’ Henry began playing the piano as a child and entered talent shows from an early age. He joined Bobby Mitchell & The Toppers in 1952 and played piano and trombone for them until 1955 before moving onto saxophonist Eddie Smith's band. After improvising “Ain't Got No Home” live on stage, he received a rapturous reception from the audience and was picked up by Chess Records who released the single in 1956. His now famous `Frogman' moniker was christened by DJ Poppa Stoppa after he played the single on a local radio station. The singer found success hard to come by in the years that followed until the legendary Allen Toussaint gave him an updated arrangement of “(I Don't Know Why) But I Do” which Henry turned into a hit in 1961. Success continued into the 1960s where Clarence ‘Frogman’ Henry established himself as a household name, mainly performing New Orleans-influenced standards and touring with The Beatles across the USA and Canada. Clarence ‘Frogman’ Henry continued to perform for over six decades and could often be seen at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, with his famous croak still intact. Clarence ‘Frogman’ Henry was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 2007. He died on April 7, 2024, at the age of 87. During his lifetime, he released only a handful of albums – including You Always Hurt the One You Love (1961), Bourbon St. New Orleans (1962), and Clarence (Frogman) Henry is Alive and Well Living in New Orleans and Still Doin’ His Thing… (1970) – plus many compilations including Ain't Got No Home: The Best of Clarence ‘Frogman’ Henry (1994), Express Yourself (2015), and But I Do: The Complete Releases 1956-62 (2016).
