_{By McKinsleigh Smith}

Back in 2022, Rachel Helps wrote a detailed record of the first all-female rock band for Provo Music Magazine. The Clingers, a band of sisters from Orem, moved to LA to pursue a career in music. Throughout their colorful career, they toured the country, performed on national TV, and even spent time with with Dennis Wilson of The Beach Boys.

“You can’t really say I dated Dennis Wilson, because he probably had three or four hundred other girlfriends,” laughed Melody Clinger in an interview with NPR’s World Cafe. Melody was the oldest sister, rhythm guitarist, and de facto leader of the group.

Their courage to 1) make rock music at a time when women didn’t have a presence in the genre 2) play all of their own instruments even when their label tried to discourage them from doing so and 3) do it as an all-girl group is obviously incredible.

This is why, when World Cafe came to Provo, The Clingers were at the top of their list of people to interview. Host Raina Douris met up with Melody Clinger to discuss their experience.

Melody paints a beautiful picture of the Provo/Orem area in the ’60s. Incredibly rural – farms as far as the eye can see. From singing barbershop as a family band with The Osmonds to touring with The Righteous Brothers and falling into the life of sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll, this episode explores it all. Finally, it seems like one of rock ‘n’ roll history’s forgotten legends is getting the national recognition they deserve.

Make sure to follow World Cafe on Instagram. You can listen to the entire episode below.