Honey Lantree

Anne Margot "Honey" Lantree (28 August 1943 – 23 December 2018) was an English drummer and singer, best known as a member of the 1960s pop group the Honeycombs. She was one of the few female drummers to achieve prominence during the British Invasion era.

Lantree was born in Hayes, Middlesex, and grew up in Highams Park, northeast London. She attended Sidney Burnell Secondary Modern School (now Highams Park School) and trained as a hairdresser.

In 1963, while working at a hair salon in Hackney, Lantree discovered her aptitude for drumming when she tried playing a drum kit left at the salon by salon owner Martin Murray's amateur band, the Sheratons. Impressed by her natural talent, Murray invited her to join the group.

The Sheratons evolved into The Honeycombs in 1964 after securing a record deal with producer Joe Meek. Their debut single, "Have I the Right?", became an international hit, reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart. Lantree's drumming, augmented by stomping effects recorded on wooden stairs, contributed to the song's distinctive sound.

As the group's drummer and occasional vocalist, Lantree challenged gender stereotypes in music. She insisted that she played on every track recorded by the band, despite scepticism about her abilities due to her gender. Her vocal contributions included duets with lead singer Denis D'Ell on songs like "That's the Way".

Biography summary from English Wikipedia, photograph via Wikimedia Commons.