Shelly Clark facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Shelly Clark
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Clark in 2016
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| Background information | |
| Born | July 27, 1947 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
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| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1953–present |
| Labels | Columbia, Hot Wax Invictus |
| Associated acts | Honey Cone, Elia and Michele Clark, The Clark Kids, Cab Calloway, Tom Jones, Harry Belafonte, The Ikettes, Andy Williams, Little Richard |
Shelly Clark, born on July 27, 1947, is an American singer, dancer, and actress. She is famous for being a founding member of the 1970s R&B girl group, Honey Cone. This group had a number one hit song called "Want Ads" in March 1971.
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Early Life and Family
Shelly Clark was born Mashelle Clark in Brooklyn, New York. Her birthday is July 27, 1947. Her mother, Lilly Gainen-Clark, was a concert pianist. Her father, Edward Evans Clark, was a talented dancer, singer, and entertainer from Barbados. Shelly also had an older brother named Ilya Clark, born in 1945. In 1957, when Shelly was 10, her family moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles, California.
Shelly Clark's Career
Starting Out as a Performer
Shelly Clark began her career very young, at just 6 years old. She was a dancer, singer, and actress. When she was 7, she and her brother were chosen to be in a popular Broadway musical. It was called House of Flowers and starred famous performers like Pearl Bailey and Diahann Carroll. The musical ran for eight months, with shows every night.
Shelly and her brother became known as The Clark Kids. Their father helped them by training them in dance and managing their careers. In 1957, The Clark Kids signed with Columbia Records. They were called Elia and Michele Clark and recorded an album named Calypso Songs For Children.
In the same year, 9-year-old Shelly was part of the Cotton Club Revue of 1957. She sang a song called "Evalina" and performed with the legendary Cab Calloway. Shelly was the youngest person in the show. She was also the youngest to perform at famous New York venues like Palace Theatre and The Apollo. The Cotton Club Revue went on a national tour for seven months.
Later, Shelly attended the University of Southern California on a scholarship for talented singers. To earn extra money, she worked as a session vocalist. This means she sang backup for other artists in recording studios. In 1966, she was asked to try out for the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. She was hired right away to be an Ikette, which was a backup singer and dancer for Ike & Tina Turner. Shelly performed with them until a serious bus crash in Wichita, Kansas. While she was recovering, new Ikettes were hired. After she got better, Shelly became the lead dancer for the Little Richard Revue. She also recorded and toured with other artists, including Dusty Springfield and Bill Medley.
Shelly was also a featured singer on the song "MacArthur Park" by Richard Harris. She also performed with the singer Tom Jones.
Joining Honey Cone
In 1968, Shelly met Carolyn Willis through a music industry friend, Sherlie Mae Matthews. The three of them formed a girl group called The Cover Girls. They performed in local clubs and theaters.
Later that year, singer Edna Wright asked Shelly and Carolyn to perform with her on The Andy Williams Show. Edna also invited Eddie Holland, who had worked with Motown Records and was starting his own label, Invictus Records, to watch the show. Holland was very impressed. He convinced the girls to form a new group. He named them Honey Cone, with Edna Wright as the lead singer.
While recording with Honey Cone in Detroit, Shelly went back to Los Angeles. She was hired as a regular dancer and singer on the TV show The Jim Nabors Hour.
In May 1969, Honey Cone released their first song, "While You're Out Looking for Sugar." It spent eight weeks on Billboard's R&B chart. Their next song, "Girls, It Ain't Easy," came out in September 1969. It reached number 8 on the R&B chart.
In 1971, Shelly had to leave The Jim Nabors Hour suddenly. This was because Honey Cone's song "Want Ads" became a huge hit. It even knocked The Rolling Stones' "Brown Sugar" out of the number one spot. "Want Ads" was their biggest success. It stayed on the charts for 14 weeks and topped both the R&B and Pop charts. It sold over one million copies and was certified gold. Another song, "Stick-Up," also sold over a million copies and was a number one R&B hit. Honey Cone also had success with "One Monkey Don't Stop No Show" and "The Day I Found Myself."
Shelly, Edna Wright, and Carolyn Willis appeared on the cover of Jet Magazine on September 2, 1971.
By 1973, Honey Cone had many hit songs. However, the group broke up that year. Carolyn Willis left because she wanted more control over her career. Soon after, their record label, Hot Wax Records, closed down.
After Honey Cone
In 1973, Mary Wilson of The Supremes asked Shelly to join her group. Shelly declined, saying she "didn't want to do the group thing again."
In 1978, Shelly was a regular on the disco TV show Hot City. She was a singer, dancer, and sometimes a host.
In 2014, Shelly Clark and Edna Wright, along with Melodye Perry (Edna's daughter), reunited. They performed on the Soul Train Cruise.
On September 18, 2016, Shelly Clark and Edna Wright received a special award. They were honored with the 2016 National Rhythm and Blues Music Society Unsung Heroine Award. Carolyn Willis also received an award.
On September 24, 2017, Shelly and Edna were honored again. They received the Heroes and Legends Award (HAL) in Music as Honey Cone. This event took place at The Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.
Sadly, on September 12, 2020, Shelly's bandmate and friend Edna Wright passed away.
On January 8, 2021, Honey Cone was inducted into the Soul Music Hall Of Fame Class of 2020.
The mayor of Bloomington, Indiana, John Hamilton, declared February 1, 2021, as Verdine White and Shelly Clark Day.
On November 16, 2024, Honey Cone released a new song. It was a cover of the Eurythmics' 1984 hit, "Here Comes The Rain Again". Shelly Clark, along with new Honey Cone members Kathy Merrick and Wendy Smith-Brune, sang lead and background vocals. This was Honey Cone's first new release in 50 years.
Shelly Clark is also credited as the producer for her husband Verdine White's first solo project. This song, called "Superman," was released on December 19, 2024. Verdine White is a founding member and bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire.
Personal Life
Shelly Clark married Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Verdine White. He is a founding member and bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire. They got married at their home in Bel Air, California, on December 31, 1980. They have a son and a granddaughter.
Music Recordings
Albums
- 1957: Elia and Michele Clark – Calypso Songs for Children (Columbia)
Backing Vocal Credits
- 1969: Tommy Roe – Dizzy
- 1976: Bobby Glenn – Shout It Out
- 1979: Carrie Lucas – In Danceland
Honey Cone Discography
Producer Credits
- 2024: Verdine White - "Superman"
Film and Television Appearances
- 1959: The Green Pastures - angel
- 1968: The Andy Williams Show - back-up singer
- 1969–1971: The Jim Nabors Hour - regular dancer and singer
- 1978: Hot City Television Show - singer, dancer and occasional host
- 1989: CBS Summer Playhouse (TV Series) episode, Coming To America - dialogue coach
Honey Cone Filmography
