HISTORIC REVEAL: Martin Murray and The Honeycombs — The Beat Group Behind the 1964 No.1 Hit “Have I The Right”
Long before the age of arena rock and streaming charts, a small London band called The Honeycombs created a moment in pop history that still resonates six decades later. Led by guitarist Martin Murray, one of the group’s founding members, The Honeycombs captured the electric energy of the British beat movement and etched their name into music history with their unforgettable 1964 hit, “Have I The Right.”
Formed in 1963 in North London, The Honeycombs — originally known as The Sheratons — were part of the vibrant wave of young British musicians inspired by the likes of The Beatles and The Dave Clark Five. Yet, what set them apart was more than just their sound. Their lineup featured Honey Lantree, a trailblazing drummer and vocalist who defied the expectations of her time by becoming one of the few female drummers to achieve international fame in the 1960s. Her powerful rhythm, combined with Murray’s driving guitar and the band’s harmonized vocals, gave their music a distinctive edge that caught the attention of producer Joe Meek, one of the most innovative recording minds of the era.
Meek, known for his experimental techniques and forward-thinking production style, immediately saw potential in the young band. Working out of his now-legendary home studio at 304 Holloway Road, he transformed their early sound into something groundbreaking — raw, rhythmic, and undeniably catchy. Together, they recorded “Have I The Right,” a song that would not only define The Honeycombs’ career but also capture the spirit of a generation discovering its musical voice.
Released in June 1964, “Have I The Right” quickly climbed the charts, hitting No.1 on the UK Singles Chart and breaking into the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Top 10. Its stomping beat, jangling guitars, and urgent vocals made it an instant anthem of the British Invasion — that remarkable period when UK acts began dominating global pop culture. The song’s driving rhythm was famously achieved by having band members stomp their feet on a wooden staircase to create its iconic percussive sound, a testament to Joe Meek’s creative genius and the band’s willingness to experiment.
Beyond its commercial success, “Have I The Right” represented a breakthrough moment for representation in rock. Honey Lantree’s visibility behind the drum kit challenged gender stereotypes at a time when few women were given the opportunity to perform in mainstream pop groups. Her presence inspired countless young girls to pursue their musical ambitions, making her a quiet pioneer in an industry still finding its footing in equality.
For Martin Murray, who co-founded the group and helped shape its early direction, The Honeycombs’ rise was both exhilarating and transformative. His crisp rhythm work and energetic stage presence anchored the band’s sound and helped define their live performances, which were marked by infectious enthusiasm and a sense of youthful rebellion that mirrored the cultural revolution sweeping across 1960s Britain.
Though the band’s success was relatively short-lived — with lineup changes and the tragic death of Joe Meek in 1967 casting a shadow over their later years — their influence endured. “Have I The Right” remains a quintessential snapshot of the beat era, celebrated for its innovation, its authenticity, and its role in shaping the sound of British pop.
Today, when music historians look back on the golden age of British rock, Martin Murray and The Honeycombs are remembered not just for their hit single, but for what they represented: a daring young group that brought rhythm, energy, and equality to the forefront of a movement that changed the world.
Their legacy continues every time that unmistakable opening beat plays — a sound that reminds us of a time when everything in music felt new, wild, and wonderfully alive.