Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Amazon Music
CastBox
PocketCasts
RSS
YouTubeShelly Clark - Honey Cone Singer, R&B Icon & Verdine White's Wife
Mashelle “Shelly” Clark-White is an American singer, dancer, and actress best known as a founding member of the 1970s soul girl group Honey Cone. With chart-topping hits like “Want Ads” and “Stick-Up,” Shelly Clark helped define the sound of R&B and pop crossover. Beyond her music career, she is also known as the longtime wife of Verdine White, bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire.
Early days
Shelly was born in Brooklyn into a musically gifted family. Her mother was a Russian-Jewish concert pianist, and her father, originally from Barbados, was a self-taught entertainer. From the beginning, Shelly was destined for the stage. At just seven years old, she was already performing at venues like the Apollo Theater. She also made her Broadway debut in The House of Flowers alongside Diahann Carroll.
The Move to Hollywood
In 1957, her family moved to Los Angeles, where her career flourished. She toured with Cab Calloway, worked as a dancer for Little Richard, and even joined Ike & Tina Turner’s Ikettes before a bus accident ended her time with the group.
Honey Cone: Chart-Topping Girl Group
Shelly’s career skyrocketed in 1968 when she co-founded Honey Cone with Edna Wright and Carolyn Willis. Signed to Holland-Dozier-Holland’s Hot Wax/Invictus label, Honey Cone quickly rose to fame with their blend of soul, pop, and R&B.
Their biggest hit, “Want Ads” (1971), reached No. 1 on both the Billboard Pop and R&B charts and sold over a million copies. Other hits included “Stick-Up,” “One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show,” and “The Day I Found Myself.”
Honey Cone became pioneers in the girl-group era, appearing on shows like Soul Train and setting the tone for future female empowerment in R&B. Despite their success, internal struggles led to the group’s breakup in 1973.
Life After Honey Cone
After Honey Cone disbanded, Shelly Clark turned down an invitation from Mary Wilson to join The Supremes, preferring not to rejoin another group. Instead, she explored television and solo opportunities, including becoming a regular on the disco TV series Hot City in the late 1970s.
But Shelly’s biggest personal milestone came in 1980, when she married Verdine White, bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire. Their marriage has lasted for more than four decades, making them one of the most admired couples in R&B and funk. Together, they built both a family and a creative partnership, with Shelly later co-producing Verdine’s solo work, including his 2024 project “Superman.”
Honey Cone Revival and New Music
In 2014, Shelly Clark revived Honey Cone with new members Wendy Smith-Brune and Kathy Merrick, bringing classic hits back to the stage for longtime fans. In 2024, the group released their first single in 50 years: a cover of the Eurythmics’ “Here Comes the Rain Again.”
Shelly and Honey Cone have also been honoured with inductions into the Soul Music Hall of Fame recognition of being pioneers of 70s soul music.
