Representative Albums: "Capitol Collectors Series," "The Honeys Collection," "How Low (Can You Go)"
Representative Songs: "Shoot the Curl," "Surfin' Down the Swanee River," "Pray for Surf"
Biography
California girl group the Honeys was formed in 1961 by siblings Marilyn, Diane, and Barbara Rovell; originally dubbed the Rovell Sisters, the trio cut their teeth on the local amateur talent circuit, and in time Barbara was replaced by their cousin Sandra Glantz, who adopted the stage name Ginger Blake. Through producer Gary Usher, the Rovells were introduced to the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson, who agreed to produce the group. Rechristened the Honeys -- a nickname for female surfers -- they reeled off a series of outstanding Capitol singles including "Shoot the Curl," "Pray for Surf," and the Phil Spector homage "The One You Can't Have," none of which made any kind of commercial impact. A move to Warner Bros. preceded 1964's superb "He's a Doll"; on December 7 of that year, Brian Wilson and Marilyn Rovell were also married. Despite their continuing lack of chart success, the Honeys remained sought-after backing vocalists on sessions for the Beach Boys and Jan & Dean. During the mid-'60s, the trio also recorded as Ginger & the Snaps, although by the time of their 1969 swan song "Goodnight My Love" the Honeys name had been restored. When Blake left the group to pursue a solo career, Marilyn and Diane worked under the name American Spring, although the Honeys did eventually reunite for a disappointing comeback record, 1983's Ecstasy. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide
The Honeys (the name a slang term for a female surfing enthusiast) consisted of sisters Marilyn and Diane Rovell, and their cousin Ginger Blake. Marilyn and Diane had met the Beach Boys when the boys performed at a Hollywood club called Pandora's Box, in the early 1960s. Brian and Marilyn (who was still in high school) began dating, and he brought the girls into the recording studio, to produce their songs ("Surfin' Down The Swanee River", "Shoot The Curl", "Pray For Surf"), and included them as backup performers on Beach Boys records. The cheerleader voices on "Be True to Your School" were performed by the Honeys, and the two groups sometimes shared the same concert bill.
The Honeys' career faded as surfing music went out of vogue. Marilyn and Brian were married, and became the parents of Carnie and Wendy Wilson, who later found fame as members of Wilson Phillips. Marilyn and Diane later re-teamed as a duo called Spring (aka American Spring), during the 1970s.
During the 1990s, the Honeys reunited, and performed locally around Hollywood and Los Angeles. An anthology CD of their music (including several Spring recordings) was also released by Capitol Records in 1992.
