Drummer Honey Lantree of The Honeycombs made the news this week in 1965 when the British band arrived in Singapore to perform two shows.

The former hairdresser's assistant was considered the band's star attraction, as one of the few female drummers in pop music.

The band arrived from Bangkok on Aug 2 to a fervent reception as teenage fans crowded the airport. After playing two shows at the National Theatre alongside local artists, The Honeycombs left for Kuala Lumpur and Penang.

In addition to Lantree, the other band members were her brother John on bass guitar, Peter Pye on rhythm guitar, Allan Ward on lead guitar and Dennis D'Ell on lead vocals. They were best known for the single, Have I The Right, which was a No.1 hit in the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada.

Honey Lantree was born Anne Margot Lantree in England in 1943. The band was originally called The Sheratons, but renamed themselves The Honeycombs as a pun on their drummer's name and former job.

The band's popularity declined after their world tour in 1965 as popular music tastes changed, and they played in cabaret venues before breaking up in 1967.

Honey Lantree is now 72 years old and said to be a grandmother living in Essex.

Jennani Durai