NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans iconic musician Clarence “Frogman” Henry has died, his family confirms to WWL-TV. The singer of “Ain’t Got No Home” was 87.
The family said Henry passed away Sunday night, surrounded by family.
Frogman was 15 years old when he got his first piano, telling WWL Louisiana back in 2021 that “my mama made me pay for it.”
It was $610 in the 1950s, which is probably would cost several thousand dollars in today’s money.
The investment paid off with Henry performing over the years with legendary New Orleans musicians and a 21-day mini tour with the Beatles.
Henry’s Algiers home was badly damaged in Hurricane Ida and was rebuilt through donations.
Following Ida, the legendary piano player was living in a moldy home and sleeping on his sofa, much of his record collection laid to waste.
But volunteers and donations made a rebuild possible and also allowed him to restore his piano and music collection and save his prized Saints jacket.
“I appreciate what the people have done for me. I appreciate. This is God's work. God has gotten new people to come and take care of me. I entertained people over 60 something years, and this is my reward from God,” Henry said at the time.
Every stuffed frog is clean. There's a new roof. Servpro took the damaged part of the Algiers home down to the studs. They even rebuilt aging floor joists, and upgraded the out-of-date, not-to-code electrical wiring.
“He is so pleased. He is so grateful, and so pleased, and that's what it's all about, you know. That's his just, just making him happy,” Servpro owner Joe Scott said.
His first piano, the one he bought for $610 as a teen by washing cars, can be cleaned, but not restored to play. But his record collection of 800 will be. His new bed arrives today and his closet and clothes are like new.
“I'm on a high. I'm on a high. I thank God, and you know, and I thank Servpro and I thank you,” Henry said over and over.
Strangers donated groceries and gift cards. Oh, and that Saints jacket? Not only is it OK, but good Samaritans bought him two more.
