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Clarence Henry II
(March 19, 1937 – April 7, 2024),

Known as Clarence "Frogman" Henry, was an American rhythm and
blues singer and pianist, best known for his hits "Ain't Got No
Home" (1956) and "(I Don't Know Why) But I Do" (1961).

Clarence Henry was born in New Orleans on March
19, 1937, moving to the Algiers neighbourhood in
1948, where he resided for the rest of his life. He started
learning piano as a child, with Fats Domino and Professor
Longhair being his main influences. When Henry played
in talent shows, he dressed like Longhair and wore a wig
with braids on both sides.

Henry used his trademark croak to improvise the song "Ain't Got No
Home" one night in 1955. Chess Records' A&R man Paul Gayten heard
the song, and had Henry record it in Cosimo Matassa's studio in
September 1956. Initially promoted by local DJ Poppa Stoppa, the song
eventually rose to number 3 on the national R&B chart and number 20 on the US pop chart. The
gimmick earned Henry his nickname of 'Frogman' and jump-
started a career that endured until his death.

Henry toured nationally with a six-piece band until 1958, and
continued to record. A cover of Bobby Charles' hit ‘(I Don't
Know Why) But I Do’, and ‘You Always Hurt the One You Love",
both from 1961, were his other big hits.

Henry opened 18 concerts for the Beatles across the US and
Canada in 1964, but his main source of income came from New
Orleans's Bourbon Street strip, where he played for 19
years. He was married seven times, with all
marriages ending in divorce. He had ten children.

Henry died in New Orleans on April 7,
2024, at the age of 87, from surgical
complications.

Ian K McKenzie

(Report constructed from various selected sources)

Click here to hear ‘I Don’t Know Why’