The Honey Cone rose to fame in the early 1970s with a sound that combined soulful vocals, catchy hooks, and empowering lyrics. Known for their smash hit “Want Ads,” they were one of the first acts signed to Hot Wax Records—a label founded by the legendary songwriting team Holland-Dozier-Holland. Although their chart success was brief, the Honey Cone left a lasting mark on the soul and R&B landscape. Their music reflected both the vibrant optimism and the gritty reality of their time.
| Artist Profile: The Honey Cone | |
|---|---|
| Group Name | The Honey Cone |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Genres | R&B, Soul, Funk |
| Years Active | 1969–1973 |
| Record Label | Hot Wax Records |
| Notable Members | Edna Wright (lead vocals) Carolyn Willis Shelley Clark |
| Biggest Hits | “Want Ads” (#1 Pop, #1 R&B) “Stick Up” “One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show” “The Day I Found Myself” |
| Awards | RIAA Gold Record for “Want Ads” |
| Post-Group Activity | Solo careers, backing vocals, 2014 reunion cruise |
How the Honey Cone Began
The Honey Cone was formed in Los Angeles in 1969. The trio consisted of Edna Wright (lead vocals), Carolyn Willis, and Shelley Clark. All three were seasoned vocalists before coming together.
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Edna Wright was the younger sister of Darlene Love and had experience singing with gospel groups like The Cogics and pop groups like The Blossoms.
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Carolyn Willis was a former member of The Girlfriends and had also worked as a session singer.
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Shelley Clark had previously been an Ikette, one of the backing vocalists for Ike & Tina Turner.
Wright and Willis were still performing with The Blossoms when they were approached by Eddie Holland of the famed Holland-Dozier-Holland team. Holland was forming a new record label, Hot Wax Records, and saw potential in the pair. Shelley Clark soon joined to complete the lineup.
Signing with Hot Wax Records
Hot Wax Records was created after Holland-Dozier-Holland left Motown. The Honey Cone was the label’s first signing. According to interviews, the group name came from Eddie Holland’s favorite ice cream flavor—honey cone.
Their debut single, “While You’re Out Looking for Sugar,” was released in 1969. It charted at #26 on the R&B charts and just broke into the Hot 100. Their follow-up single, “Girls, It Ain’t Easy,” fared even better, reaching #8 on the R&B charts and becoming their first Top 40 pop hit.
While a few more singles followed in 1970, including “Take Me with You” and “When Will It End,” none of them made a major impact on the charts.
The Breakthrough with “Want Ads”
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In 1971, The Honey Cone released “Want Ads,” and everything changed. The song was originally intended for another Hot Wax artist, Glass House, but Edna Wright’s voice gave it a new spark.
“Want Ads” soared to #1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the R&B chart. It sold over one million copies and earned the group a gold record. The success helped solidify Hot Wax as a serious player in the music industry.
That same year, The Honey Cone followed up with more charting singles:
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“Stick Up” – #11 Pop, #1 R&B
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“One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show” – #15 Pop, #5 R&B
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“The Day I Found Myself” – #23 Pop, #8 R&B
These hits were featured across two albums: Sweet Replies and Soulful Tapestry, both of which were well-received at the time.
The Decline and Breakup
By 1972, The Honey Cone’s chart momentum began to fade. Singles released in 1972 and 1973 failed to gain traction. Meanwhile, Hot Wax Records was facing serious financial issues and would eventually declare bankruptcy.
The Honey Cone disbanded in 1973, just a few short years after their breakout success. While their time in the spotlight was brief, their influence was real. Their bold, harmony-rich style paved the way for later girl groups and female R&B acts.
Life After the Honey Cone
Edna Wright went solo and released a solo album in 1976 titled Oops! Here I Go Again. Her voice continued to appear in background vocals for major artists throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
Carolyn Willis found success in the mid-1970s working with Seals and Crofts. Her vocals were featured on their hit “Get Closer.”
Shelley Clark went on to work with various performers, including singing backup for artists like Tom Jones.
In 2014, a reformed version of The Honey Cone appeared on the third Soul Train Cruise. This time, Edna Wright performed under the name Edna Wright & The Honey Cone alongside Latari Martin and Melodye Perry. Wright passed away in 2020, but her contributions to soul music remain significant.
Legacy and Influence
The Honey Cone stands out as one of the few all-female R&B groups of the early 1970s to achieve mainstream success. They tackled themes like female empowerment, relationships, and independence—all set to a backdrop of tight harmonies and funky rhythms.
Their biggest hit, “Want Ads,” is still a staple on oldies and soul stations. It has been sampled and covered by several modern artists, showing that their music continues to resonate with new generations.