Clarence ‘Frogman’ Henry - 2016 - You Always Hurt The One You Love @320

 

Clarence ‘Frogman’ Henry

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). 

Life and career

Clarence Henry was born in New Orleans on March 19, 1937. In 1947 he moved to the Algiers neighborhood, where he resided for the rest of his life. He started learning piano as a child, with Fats Domino and Professor Longhair his main influences. When Henry played in talent shows, he dressed like Longhair and wore a wig with braids on both sides. He joined Bobby Mitchell & the Toppers in 1952, playing piano and trombone, and left when he graduated in 1955 to join saxophonist Eddie Smith's band. 

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. 

He 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. 

Private life and death

Henry was married seven times, with all his marriages ending in divorce. He had ten children. 

He died in New Orleans on April 7, 2024, at the age of 87, from complications after surgery. Henry continued to perform into his final years and had been scheduled to appear at the 2024 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival later that month. 

For more info;

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarence_%22Frogman%22_Henry

Tracks;

01   Ain't Got No Home.mp3

02   Troubles, Troubles.mp3

03   Lonely Tramp.mp3

04   I'm A Country Boy.mp3

05   It Won't Be Long.mp3

06   Found A Home.mp3

07   I'm In Love.mp3

08   Baby, Baby Please.mp3

09   (I Don't Know Why) But I Do.mp3

10   Just My Baby And Me.mp3

11   Little Suzy.mp3

12   You Always Hurt The One You Love.mp3

13   Why Can't You.mp3

14   Lonely Street.mp3

15   Standing In The Need Of Love.mp3

16   On Bended Knees.mp3

17   I Wish I Could Say The Same.mp3

18   A Little Too Much.mp3

19   Dream Myself A Sweetheart.mp3

20   Lost Without You.mp3

21   The Jealous Kind.mp3

22   Come On And Dance.mp3

23   Never, Never.mp3

24   Oh Mickey.mp3

25   Live It Right.mp3

26   I Want To Be A Movie Star.mp3

27   Steady Date.mp3

28   Oh Why.mp3

29   I Love You Yes I Do.mp3

30   Your Picture.mp3

With covers.

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