Strong as a rock, sweet as honey. There are several stories behind this extraordinary vocal group's journey.

Sweet Honey In The Rock was the first song Bernice Johnson Reagon introduced to the new group of singers who formed in 1973, it being based on a Twenties gospel classic by Mamie Forehand.

Reagon had spent the early Sixties touring with the Freedom Singers, who grew out of the civil rights movement.

They would sing at meetings in schools and churches and their most memorable performance was at the 1963 Newport Folk Festival where they sang the finale We Shall Overcome with Joan Baez, Bob Dylan and Pete Seeger.

Reagon is often astonished at the group's longevity.

"I had no sense we'd still be together, doing the work we began in 1973. Three decades of one kind of work is a blessing."

Nevertheless, they have managed it by staying close to their roots and not burning out.

"This was a different kind of model. I worked out that we are working singers like plumbers or teachers, even though we are on concert stages.

"I began to understand that we were building a constituency."

Influenced by many classic gospel singers, Sweet Honey In The Rock have in turn helped with the development of modern gospel with their workshops and published arrangements.

Their sound is one of the most stirring in popular music, with classic songs such as Deportees, Sweet Bird Of Youth and More Than A Paycheck.

A night of their music could cover a wide range.

"We don't set programmes. There will be a balance of historical work across 30 years, right up to the new recording."

Away from her singing activities, Dr Reagon is a distinguished academic.

She is in Germany writing the music for a theatre production by Robert Wilson, based on works by Flaubert.

Sweet Honey also continue with their campaigning and the new CD The Women Gather raises awareness about many issues including random police shootings and disenfranchisement.

It includes the songs We Want The Vote and Give The People The Right To Vote.

In the Sixties Dr Reagon briefly left her vocal activities to have children. Her daughter Toshi is now a musician and produced The Women Gather.

With other projects in development, there is a rumour this may be her last tour with Sweet Honey.

"I'm very suited to the life I live but I'm enjoying shifting to an older phase."

Call 01273 709709.