Artist, Theryl ‘The Houseman’ DeClouet dies

By Geraldine Wyckoff
Contributing Writer

It’s improbable that Theryl DeClouet ever dreamed that his greatest recognition would come when he hooked up with some young, white musicians half his age who were about to step out to tour nationally on the jam band scene. That’s just what happened in 1994 when DeClouet, a life-long musician, became the lead singer of Galactic. New Orleans native, Theryl “The Houseman” DeClouet, who gained national fame for his soulful and gritty vocals, died on Sunday, July 15, 2018, at the age of 66.

DeClouet grew up in the Hollygrove neighborhood of New Orleans in a home that was filled with music and records. His mother played piano and he once described how his grandfather and his brothers – Theryl’s uncles—would come over to the house and sing. In the 1970s, DeClouet led an R&B band called the Lyrics that gigged around the city. Next up, he formed the vocal group Hollygrove, naming it after the uptown part of town that held so many memories, that he loved and to which he often returned. Three decades later, the Hollygrove would provide backup vocals for two of the cuts on Galactic’s 2000 release, Late for the Future. DeClouet is heard on Galactic’s first four albums including its 1996 debut, Coolin’ Off as well as a compilation disc.

DeCLOUET

Few people might realize that it is DeClouet’s voice backing bass guru Willie Dixon’s masterpiece, “Spoonful,” singing that essential response, “That spoon, that spoon that spoonful…” He’s also heard on Earth Wind & Fire’s oh so funky and significant, “Mighty Mighty.”

From a very comprehensive 2001 interview with OffBeat magazine, DeClouet reveals the origin of his nickname “The Houseman,” that was given to him decades ago by none other than a youthful Ivan Neville. Neville and a bunch of his young friends were shooting craps at the DeClouet home and they were going to fight. “I threw my pistol on the table,” DeClouet relates and “they got scared.” Apparently Neville, knowing his place, was the one to say, “Okay, you da houseman.” The name stuck.

Locally, DeClouet did make some big musical waves with the excellent band Michael Ward & Reward led by percussionist Ward.

DeClouet helped put Galactic on the map, in part, because he was unique to the jam band culture. Galactic helped put the vocalist on the map because it saw his uniqueness, vocal talent and desire for a piece of the world beyond New Orleans.

Theryl “The Houseman” DeClouet epitomized his hometown with his love of New Orleans, his neighborhood, his family and the style of music that lived deep in his soul. Fortunately, as was his desire, he was able to bring his voice out of just this city’s barrooms to new audiences and larger stages to rule as “The Houseman.”

In honor of Theryl “The House-man” DeClouet a “Gathering to Remember” will be held from 6 pm to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, July 24, 2018, at Tipitina’s, 501 Napoleon Avenue.

This article originally published in the July 23, 2018 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.