[INTERVIEW] Shelly Clark, Founding Member of Honey Cone Talks Come Back Single & Much More

January 10, 2025

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Honey Cone, originally consisting of Shelly Clark, Edna Wright and Carolyn Willis, return with their first new recording in more than 50 long years. The timeless hit-making trio, largely known for a string of Top 10 Billboard selections; “Girls It Ain’t Easy” & “One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show,” as well as their #1 R&B/Pop offering, “Stick-Up,” and gold certified, worldwide smash, “Want Ads,” recently re-emerged with a high energy cover of the Eurythmics’ “Here Comes the Rain Again,” putting their own unique spin on the ’83 masterpiece. Shelly Clark, who in 2014 reestablished the iconic collective with members Kathy Merrick and Wendy Smith-Bruné, just celebrated 44 years of marriage to Verdine White, co-founding member and bassist for the band Earth Wind & Fire. Read more on the music industry veteran in our Shelly Clark interview.

*Fun fact: Honey Cone are the very first act to ever appear on Soul Train.*

First things first, please let me introduce myself… Shelly Clark, co-founder and original member of Honey Cone. I also own the trademark ™️

Parlé Mag: Let’s hop right into this latest single “Here Comes the Rain Again,” a remake of the Eurythmics classic — Tell me about this particular composition; how did it even come to fruition?
Shelly Clark: Our producer, Neal H. Pogue, suggested it to us. He said, “When I think of the Honey Cone, I think Global. I think International. I have a song that I think is going to be great for you, but it’s not the normal of what you all have done in the past. So, I’m hoping that you accept my idea.”

…And I said, “Is there any other song that you’re thinking about?” He said, “No, this is the song that keeps playing over and over.” Neal is a seven-time Grammy winner. We didn’t want to argue with him. He’s got a good ear. He’s up for his 8th Grammy whenever the Grammys come up this year. I am pretty sure he’s going to have eight under his belt.

Parlé Mag: Aside from the obvious, how then does “Here Comes the Rain Again” either differ and / or compare to previous Honey Cone entries?
Shelly Clark: Honey Cone was really the first girl group to usher in confident, independent lyrics. We weren’t singing “You Keep Me Hanging On” or “My Boyfriend’s Back.” We had confident lyrics, “One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show.” They were mini stories. “Here Comes the Rain Again” has a story and Annie Lennox, who did like our song on social media, is a strong, confident woman.

Parlé Mag: Now does this in any way signify a full-length project is also in the works?
Shelly Clark: Stay tuned. We’d like to think so!

Parlé Mag: That said, what all exactly have you all been up to, both personally and professionally speaking, during this lengthy musical hiatus?
Shelly Clark: We’ve never really been on musical hiatus. Maybe a recording hiatus. “Here Comes the Rain Again” is the first single in a long time… okay, 50 years, but the music has never stopped. I reformed Honey Cone 10 years ago with the wonderful Kathy Merrick and Wendy Smith-Bruné. Since then, we have been performing. In fact, we performed in New York City at 54 Below over the summer, as well as Atlantic City. In March, we’ll play the Catalina Club in L.A..

Parlé Mag: Switching gears here, what exactly do you all want people to get from your music?
Shelly Clark: Just feel good. The original Honey Cone songs hold special memories for people. Hopefully good ones. With the new single, and ones to come, we want people to know that good music with a good melody is still being made, and it can sound as fresh as anything else out there.

Parlé Mag: If you all could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be, and why?
Shelly Clark: There are so many talented artists out there today. My husband, Verdine White, and his group Earth, Wind & Fire recently collaborated with Victoria Monét. She’s great. I’d take her call! I was an Ikette. Tina Turner was my boss – the best boss. If she was still around, it would be a full-circle moment to collaborate with her. Oh, and Lenny Kravitz. He’s a good friend, but it would be thrilling to work together.

Parlé Mag: If you all could play any venue in the world, which one would you choose and why?
Shelly Clark: Radio City Music Hall. It’s New York. I’m a native New Yorker. It would be a grand homecoming!

Parlé Mag: On a more serious note, are you all happy with the current state of R&B? And, even more specifically, why do you all feel that we, the masses, don’t see the group dynamic like it was back in, say, the nineties?
Shelly Clark: I’m happy that more people have the opportunity to be heard with all the music platforms and social media. However, it’s also harder to really be heard. Record companies, management, artist development, and on and on, are more or less a thing of the past. I’d like to see more people invest in talent instead of the talent having to invest. Yet, when all of that did exist, performers actually had little say in the material they recorded. That was certainly the case for Honey Cone.

…I also think everything has a cycle. For example, for a while boy bands and the teen scene gave way to Grunge. Then it came back around. Disco was once declared dead, but Dance music remains hotter than ever, and you can even call it Disco again. I’m actually having the time of my life right now.

Parlé Mag: What do you all feel has and will continue to be the key to your longevity?
Shelly Clark: Never giving up. I try to keep coming up with new dreams and working hard. Plus, those timeless songs like “Want Ads” will be played forever.

Parlé Mag: What’s an average day like for you all?
Shelly Clark: It all depends on the day, and what we’re doing. On an average day, you can find me feeding my dogs, the neighbor cats that find their way to my door, making different kinds of coffee, and sitting with my video editor and creating new content. And then other days, it’s just hell… like getting my hair done, lunch with the girls in Beverly Hills, or hopping on a plane to Las Vegas or the Kennedy Center in DC, HAHA!

Parlé Mag: Please discuss how you all interact with and respond to fans…
Shelly Clark: I love when the fans reach out. That’s the great thing about social media now. I get to hear from so many people. It’s never a chore. It’s fun.

Parlé Mag: What is your favorite part about this line of work? Your least favorite? And, why?
Shelly Clark: I love performing. Being on stage is incredible. It’s thrilling. The least favorite part is waiting. Sometimes we have so many things in the works, but we’re waiting for the right time to do them or the right people to join the team. Sometimes you just have to be patient, and know it’s all going to work out.

Parlé Mag: What advice would you all have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?
Shelly Clark: Work hard. Do what you love. And, surround yourself with good people. Also, don’t be afraid to reinvent your dream. I started as a child star on Broadway [ed. note: “House of Flowers” starring Pearl Bailey, Alvin Ailey & Diahann Carroll]. I wasn’t thinking of dancing on stage with Tina Turner or being in a pop singing group, but the universe cleared that path. Be open to things.

Parlé Mag: Looking ahead, say five or maybe even ten years from now, where do you all see yourselves?
Shelly Clark: Still energized and killing it on stage, but maybe a little tired from all the traveling we’re going to do to hit all of those stages across the world!

Parlé Mag: As for the immediate, what’s next for Honey Cone?
Shelly Clark: We’re going to be performing at the Canyon Club on January 31st, the Catalina Club on March 2nd, we’re doing Oscars in Palm Springs in April, and a cruise in May. Oh, and more music!

Parlé Mag: Any “parting” words for our readers?
Shelly Clark: Yes, check out Verdine’s new single, “Superman,” a tribute to his brother, founder of Earth, Wind & Fire, Maurice White. I was a producer on that song. It’s beautiful. It’s on all music platforms.