From Honey Cone to Verdine White: Shelly Clark’s R&B Journey

Get ready for an unforgettable conversation with Shelly Clark, the powerhouse singer, dancer, and actress who helped shape the sound of 1970s R&B as a founding member of the chart-topping girl group Honey Cone.

Born in Brooklyn and performing professionally by the age of six, Shelly Clark’s career began on Broadway before she went on to tour with legends like Cab Calloway and work as an Ikette in the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. But her real breakthrough came in 1968, when she co-founded Honey Cone with Edna Wright and Carolyn Willis.

With Holland-Dozier-Holland behind them at the Hot Wax/Invictus label, Honey Cone shot to stardom. Their smash hit “Want Ads” hit No.1 on both the Billboard Pop and R&B charts in 1971 and sold over a million copies.

Follow-up hits like “Stick-Up,” “One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show,” and “The Day I Found Myself” cemented their place in music history. Honey Cone weren’t just about catchy hooks — their lyrics spoke to female empowerment and independence, making them trailblazers in the girl-group era.

After the group disbanded, Shelly turned down an offer to join The Supremes and instead found a new path in television, solo work, and later in her personal life.

In 1980, she married Verdine White, legendary bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire. Their marriage has lasted more than four decades, built on music, love, and mutual respect. Today, Shelly continues to collaborate with Verdine, including producing his 2024 solo project “Superman.”

In recent years, Shelly has also revived Honey Cone with a new lineup, bringing timeless classics to fresh audiences. In 2024, the group released their first single in 50 years — a stunning cover of the Eurythmics’ “Here Comes the Rain Again.”

This episode dives deep into Shelly Clark’s incredible journey — from Broadway beginnings to No.1 hits, from Honey Cone fame to life with Verdine White, and her ongoing legacy as a singer, producer, and keeper of soul and R&B history.

If you love 70s soul, R&B girl groups, Earth, Wind & Fire, or music history, this is one story you won’t want to miss.

If you have any suggestions for guests for this show, or any commnents or feedback please reach out to me via the website https://www.abreathoffreshair.com.au

#shellyclark #ikette #honeyCone #earthwindandfire