Honey Cone
| Company type | Group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1968 |
| Founder | Edna Wright, Carolyn Willis, Shelly Clark |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
| Products | Music recordings, live performances |
Honey Cone is a female American group specializing in R&B and soul, established in 1968 by lead vocalist Edna Wright (sibling of Darlene Love), alongside Carolyn Willis and Shelly Clark. They gained recognition for their chart-topping Billboard Hot 100 single "Want Ads". Honey Cone was the flagship female ensemble of Hot Wax Records, a label founded by Holland–Dozier–Holland after their departure from Motown Records.
By 2024, Honey Cone had reunited, with original member Shelly Clark fronting the group together with new additions Kathy Merrick and Wendy Smith-Brune.
Member backgrounds
Before coming together as Honey Cone in 1968, each singer had accumulated professional experience in the music industry.
Edna Wright, hailing from Los Angeles, began her vocal journey in church choirs and launched her career in 1960 with the gospel ensemble The COGIC singers. Through her sister Darlene Love, she connected with producer Phil Spector. Wright led vocals on "Yes Sir, That's My Baby" by Hale and the Hushabyes—a group that included Brian Wilson, Sonny & Cher, and Jackie DeShannon—and issued her solo track "A Touch of Venus" in 1964, which led to a nationwide nightclub circuit. From 1964 to 1967, she recorded under the name Sandy Wynns and later supported artists such as the Righteous Brothers, Johnny Rivers, and Ray Charles's Raelettes as a backing vocalist.
Carolyn Willis started singing professionally at age sixteen with the girl group the Girlfriends, who released "My One and Only Jimmy Boy" (reaching No. 49 on Pop charts) via Colpix Records in 1963. She also contributed as a session singer for Lou Rawls, O.C. Smith, and Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans. Both Willis and Wright were part of Darlene Love's backup group The Blossoms.
Brooklyn native Shelly Clark began performing at six years old alongside her brother on Calypso Songs For Children (1957) released by Columbia Records. At seven, she appeared in the Broadway production House of Flowers. After relocating to Los Angeles in 1957, her soprano talents earned her a scholarship to USC. Clark joined the Ike & Tina Turner Revue as an Ikette until a bus accident in 1966 ended that tenure. She also toured as lead dancer with Little Richard and Dusty Springfield and was a regular performer on The Jim Nabors Show in 1969.
Formation of Honey Cone
Wright, Willis, and Clark first performed together on an Andy Williams television special in 1968 when Wright substituted for her sister Darlene Love. Following this, Wright invited Willis and Clark to form a group with her and reached out to Eddie Holland, who had recently parted ways with Motown alongside Brian Holland and Lamont Dozier to establish HDH Records. Impressed by their talent, Holland signed them to his label Hot Wax Records. Although initially offered a solo contract, Wright preferred forming a trio. Holland named the group Honey Cone after his favorite ice cream flavor; despite initial reluctance about the unusual name, the group embraced it. While based in Los Angeles, their recordings were primarily produced in Detroit with songwriting contributions from General Johnson and Wright’s then-partner Greg Perry.
Drawing inspiration from Motown groups such as Martha & the Vandellas and The Marvelettes, Honey Cone's style blended melodic sweetness with a gritty edge.
Their debut single "While You're Out Looking for Sugar" marked Hot Wax's inaugural release and climbed to No. 26 on Billboard's R&B chart. The follow-up "Girls, It Ain't Easy" reached No. 8 on R&B charts. Their fifth single "Want Ads" became their signature achievement, topping both R&B and pop charts, selling over one million copies, and earning a gold certification from the R.I.A.A. in May 1971. They headlined numerous U.S. performances including at the prestigious Apollo Theatre and toured extensively throughout the South. In the same year, "Stick-Up" also attained No. 1 on R&B charts and peaked at No. 11 on pop charts with sales exceeding one million units. The National Association of Television and Radio Announcers (NATRA) honored Honey Cone as Best Female Vocal Group in 1971. Carolyn Willis’s fiancé, promoter Dick Griffey, handled their tour finances. Additional hits included 1972’s "One Monkey Don't Stop No Show" (No. 15 Pop, No. 5 R&B) and "The Day I Found Myself" (No. 23 Pop, No. 8 R&B). However, their releases in 1973 struggled commercially amid financial difficulties faced by Hot Wax and its sister label Invictus Records, largely due to distributor payment problems.
Honey Cone graced the cover of Jet magazine on September 2, 1971.
Dissatisfied with available material while serving as vocal arranger, Willis departed in 1973; attempts to replace her were unsuccessful leading to the group's dissolution by year-end. Hot Wax soon ceased operations due to mounting debts. In 1976, Hot Wax briefly revived its label releasing a Honey Cone single without any original members involved.
Careers post-Honey Cone
Edna Wright issued a solo album titled Oops! Here I Go Again (1977) under RCA, later returning to session work supporting artists like Annie Lennox, Whitney Houston, and Ray Charles. Performing as Edna Wright and The Honey Cone with Latari Martin and Melodye Perry, she was married to Greg Perry—co-writer/producer behind many Honey Cone hits—until her passing on September 12, 2020.
Carolyn Willis appeared on Seals and Crofts' 1976 hit "Get Closer" and recorded commercial jingles for brands including Toyota, American Airlines, and Max Factor. She toured alongside Neil Diamond, Boz Scaggs, and Carly Simon.
Shelly Clark featured as "Fyre" on the disco television series Hot City in 1978. Since marrying Earth, Wind & Fire bassist Verdine White in 1980—after previously marrying boxer Thad Spencer—Clark transitioned into roles such as production coordinator/casting director for Eddie Murphy Television and founded W&W Management Company representing entertainment figures.
An attempt at reuniting Honey Cone occurred during the 1990s but Willis withdrew; she did participate in a photoshoot session however. Willis collaborated with Gloria Jones recording alongside Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band. In February 2014, original members Edna Wright and Shelly Clark White reunited with Wright’s daughter Melodye Perry for performances on Soul Train Cruise concerts featuring their classic hits plus an Earth, Wind & Fire tribute honoring Clark’s familial connection.
Following Edna Wright’s death in 2020, Shelly Clark continued preserving Honey Cone’s heritage by performing with Wendy Smith Brune' and Kathy Merrick; they toured performing signature songs including an appearance at The HAL Awards in Los Angeles during 2022.
On November 16, 2024, Honey Cone released "Here Comes The Rain Again," a rendition of the Eurythmics’ iconic 1984 song—their first new release after five decades—with Clark sharing lead vocals alongside newcomers Merrick and Smith-Brune. Production was handled by Earth, Wind & Fire’s Verdine White together with John Paris and Neal H. Pouge.
Clark also produced Verdine White’s solo project "Superman" released in 2024 as a tribute to late Earth, Wind & Fire founder Maurice White.
Awards
- RIAA Certification - Honey Cone was awarded a Gold Record on May 14, 1971, for their single "Want Ads," having achieved sales of one million copies.
- RIAA Certification - On September 23, 1971, the group received another Gold Record for their single "Stick Up," also reaching one million units sold.
- At the National Rhythm and Blues Music Society's Black Tie Gala in Philadelphia on September 18, 2016, Honey Cone was recognized with the Unsung Heroine Award. Willis, who was not present at the ceremony, was similarly honored.
- Clark and Wright were presented with the Heroes and Legends Award (HAL) in Music as representatives of Honey Cone on September 24, 2017, at The Beverly Hills Hotel in California.
- Honey Cone was inducted into the Soul Music Hall Of Fame Class of 2020 on January 8, 2021.
Studio albums
| Year | Album | Highest chart rankings | Label | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B |
CAN | ||||||||||||
| 1970 | Take Me with You | — | — | — | Hot Wax | |||||||||
| When Will It End Template:Ref label | — | — | — | |||||||||||
| 1971 | Sweet Replies | 137 | 14 | 64 | ||||||||||
| Soulful Tapestry | 72 | 15 | — | |||||||||||
| 1972 | Love, Peace & Soul | 189 | 41 | — | ||||||||||
| "—" indicates a release that did not chart or was unavailable in that region. | ||||||||||||||
- Album remained unreleased
Compilation albums
| 1984 | Girls It Ain't Easy | Holland–Dozier–Holland |
| 1990 | Greatest Hits | Holland–Dozier–Holland |
| 1998 | Cone to the Bone: The Best of Honey Cone | Sequel |
| 2001 | Soulful Sugar: The Complete Hot Wax Recordings | Castle Music |
| 2002 | The Best of Honey Cone | EMI-Capitol |
Singles
rowspan=1 1976 align=left|"Somebody Is Always Messing Up a Good Thing" (feat. Sharon Cash) | — | — | — | — | rowspan=1 align=left|"Here Comes the Rain Again" colspan="15" style="font-size:90%"|"—" indicates titles that did not chart or were not released in those countries.| Year | Title | Highest chart rankings | Certifications | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B |
AUS | CAN | ||||
| 1969 | "While You're Out Looking for Sugar?" | 62 | 26 | — | 72 | Take Me with You | |
| "Girls It Ain't Easy" | 68 | 8 | — | 71 | |||
| 1970 | "Take Me with You" | 108 | 28 | — | — | Take Me with You / Sweet Replies | |
| "When Will It End" | 117 | — | — | — | Sweet Replies | ||
| 1971 | "Want Ads" | 1 | 1 | — | 11 |
|
Sweet Replies / Soulful Tapestry |
| "Stick-Up" | 11 | 1 | — | 23 |
|
Soulful Tapestry | |
| "One Monkey Don't Stop No Show" | 15 | 5 | 44 | 14 | |||
| 1972 | "The Day I Found Myself" | 23 | 8 | — | 21 | ||
| "Sittin' on a Time Bomb (Waitin' for the Hurt to Come)" | 96 | 33 | — | — | |||
| "Innocent 'Til Proven Guilty" | 101 | 37 | — | — | |||
| "Ace in the Hole" | — | — | — | — | |||
|
align=left |"If I Can't Fly" | — | — | — | — | | align=left rowspan=2 Template:N/A | | |||||||
|
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Television and Film Appearances
- 1968 - The Andy Williams Show – Backup Vocalists
- 1970 - Soul! (Television Series)
- 1971 - Soul Train Season 1, Episode 1
- 1971 - American Bandstand Episode 14.49
- 1971 - The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
- 1972 - The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour, Episode 2.6
- 1972 - American Bandstand, Episode 15.32
- 1972 - The Merv Griffin Show, Season 9, Episode 82
- 1972 - Soul Train, Season 1, Episode 17
- 1973 - Midnight Special, Season 1, Episode 9
- 1973 - The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
- 1973 - Soul Train, Season 2, Episode 24
- 2013 - My Music: '70s & '80s Soul Rewind (TV Movie) – archival footage
Related Topics
- List of number-one hits (United States)
- List of artists who reached number one on the Hot 100 (U.S.)
External Resources
- Official site for Edna Wright and The Honeycone
- [AllMusic artist profile]
- [Discogs artist page]