View Full Version : The Honeys
A few weeks ago now, I was listening to this radio show about obscure 60s girl groups, when to my total amusement the host started talkin about a group consisting of Brian Wilson's first wife Marilyn, her sister Diane and their cousin Ginger. Collectively known as the Honeys. I was even more amused when they actually played the group's best-known track 'He's A Doll'. A classic song with brilliant lines such as......
"He's a doll he's a doll he's a living doll, what a doll now......"
Hmmmmmm. :rolleyes:
To my even greater amusement, 2 weeks ago when I was cruising through JB Hi Fi, I came across a CD of 60s girl groups, and along with such greats as the Chiffons, Shirelles, Ronettes, etc were........you guessed it. The Honeys. Thankfully it was my fave track 'The One You Can't Have'. lol :) They had a few minor hits, but mainly locally in LA/California, and also appeared as backing singers for Jan & Dean.
ANYWAYS, I was just wondering, since they seem to be mentioned so much, has anyone actually HEARD of them, and if so, how do you rate them against other girl groups of the era.
Shinboners
4 Jan 2002, 22:27
There were really only a few girl groups who really made it big in the 60s....the Supremes, the Ronettes (late night and my memory is failing me, but those people who did "The Leader of the Pack").....but there were heaps of girl groups that would release songs on these obscure labels....often they'd release a handful of singles before disappearing back into obscurity.
I probably have heard the Honeys somewhere along the line (incidentally, check out a track by the band, "the Honeybees" called "She Don't Deserve You"....utterly wonderful), but they haven't stuck in my mind.....although that's more to do with girlie group compilation CDs that will have 25 different bands doing 25 different songs.....often, I'll be saying, "I like tracks 3, 4, 9, 16 etc. etc.). But if they've got that Northern Soul sound and if Brian Wilson helped them with the music, then I can't see how it could be nothing less than wonderful.
Originally posted by Shinboners
But if they've got that Northern Soul sound and if Brian Wilson helped them with the music, then I can't see how it could be nothing less than wonderful.
Well I'm unsure about "He's a Doll" but I know for sure that 'The One You Can't Have' is a Brian Wilson penned song, and the arrangements are classic Brian........the girls' voices are the disappointment, just too flat. But really, listening to them amongst other hits of the time, they aren't really that bad.
Shinners, I must recommend an album to you, Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys 'Rarities'. I believe it's rather hard to find, it's a local release from the 80s, but it was pulled rather quickly due to the cover incorrectly claiming that a group by the name of the survivors was actually the Beach Boys, so the guys involved sued. Anyway the album is packed with a bunch of tracks that Brian arranged, including the Honeys, and Sharon Marie, who released a version of what was later to be re-written as the Beach Boys' "Darlin", 'Thinkin Bout You Baby'. Same tune, different lyrics, it's brilliant both times. :) Also has one of Glen Campbell's first singles, a Brian Wilson written and arranged gem by the name of 'Guess I'm Dumb'. The song would have been right at home on the 'Pet Sounds' album!!!!! There is also Dennis Wilson's solo singles, 'Lady' and the absolutely brilliant 'Sound Of Free'. Yeah, I have gone almost totally off track here but do check it out if you ever see it, it's a must-have. :)
Shinboners
5 Jan 2002, 15:31
From the sounds of it, if you like the Honeys and that more pop orientated girlie sound (as opposed to the more soulful sounds of Northern/Detroit Soul), you should try and track down the following three compilation CDs. The first two I picked up my copies at Greville Records whilst the French compilation CD I ordered through the Other Music website (www.othermusic.com). Anyway, they are:
Girls Will Be Girls. It's on Westside Records. 31 tracks, all of them from the early to mid 60s. High on pop and sugar, low on soul....31 one tracks is a bit much, but there are some good sounds on it.
Gee Baby Bee - Del-Fi Girl Groups. 21 tracks by 8 groups. More girlie sounds with rock tinges. I haven't listened to it for a while, but the last time I DJed, a couple of the tracks were dancefloor fillers.
Ultra Chicks - Filles In The Garage!". 24 tracks by 24 French chanteuses from the 60s. It's great hearing all these French girls trying to sound American and English. Naturally, there's a strong girlie pop sound, but there quite a few of the songs have rock, country, and rockabilly flavourings to them. Again, there are a few songs that have gotten people up and dancing when I've played them at clubs.
Finally, for those keen on 60s soul, there will be a soul nite at Club UK on Exhibition Street on January 11. So get your dancing shoes and Fred Perrys on, hop onto your Vespa and get on down...... :)
Thanks for that Shinners, the first two sound particularly interesting. You keep reminding me too that it's been WAY too long since I last visited Greville Records. :)
I'm into both the pop-orientated girly sound, and the Detroit/Northern Soul sound. Such a contrast in styles, but both are entertaining.
I'm very much getting into the women of music, the classics such as Aretha Franklin, Dusty Springfield, Roberta Flack and Linda Ronstadt. Keep your Britney Spears and all this manufactured pop, give me REAL singers any day. :D Karen Carpenter is also a horribly under-rated singer, but yeah I do find sometimes that the Carpenters are just too cheesy for me to handle. :D Shame that.
Mooster7
6 Jan 2002, 19:41
The real Honeybees were on Gilligans Island. The lineup: Ginger, Mary-Ann & the gorgeous stunner Lovey Howell. No topping them.
I think I have heard of Brian Wilson's girlie band before.:eek: ;) :D
Originally posted by Mooster7
I think I have heard of Brian Wilson's girlie band before.:eek: ;) :D
OI, I hope you're not sayin what I think you're sayin!!!!!!! :mad: :D
Mooster7
6 Jan 2002, 21:33
Nah, I'm not saying that.
It's just that the guy who I usually pelt with Beach Boys cheap shots has been off in the Navy (read into that) for several years, and so I am compelled to take a crack at a perfect stranger...you. No harm intended. ;)
Peace? Mooster
Originally posted by Mooster7
Nah, I'm not saying that.
It's just that the guy who I usually pelt with Beach Boys cheap shots has been off in the Navy (read into that) for several years, and so I am compelled to take a crack at a perfect stranger...you. No harm intended. ;)
Peace? Mooster
LOL Send all your cheap shots my way, I can take them. And I'm the most PERFECT stranger you'll find. :D LOL