The Rubettes

Classic era (1974–1980) The Rubettes' first and biggest hit was "Sugar Baby Love" (1974), which was a number one in the United Kingdom, selling around 500,000 copies in the UK and three million copies globally. With three other songs, "Sugar Baby Love" was recorded for Polydor in October 1973 at Lansdowne Studios in Holland Park, London, by a group of session musicians featuring the distinctive falsetto and lead vocals of Paul Da Vinci (born Paul Leonard Prewer). However, Da Vinci did not join the others to become a member of the band put together by John Richardson, and instead pursued solo work, having signed a contract with Penny Farthing Records. "Sugar Baby Love" was their only UK No. 1 and sole US Top 40 entry. For public appearances to promote the song, initially on Top of the Pops, Alan Williams took on the role of lead singer, being the only one of the original session singers able to duplicate Da Vinci's falsetto vocals. The Rubettes then comprised Williams, Richardson, and Pete Arnesen (all three of whom had participated in the original recording) together with Tony Thorpe, Mick Clarke, and Bill Hurd. In performance, the group wore distinctive white suits and white caps which, according to Williams, "were a practical addition to the ensemble... [as] we all had long hair, which didn't suit the image we'd gone for... We compromised by having our hair pinned up inside the caps". In 1976 the band abandoned glam nostalgia to enter more serious territory. In another attempt to get away from the 'doo-wop' glam image, Thorpe insisted that the trademark vocal harmonies be left off of his composition "You're the Reason Why". Gerry Shury and the band outvoted him. The version with no vocal backing has been available as a bootleg recording in certain parts of Europe. In 1979, Thorpe and the band separated over musical differences. Thorpe can be heard on lead vocals on the last Still Unwinding track, "Does It Gotta Be Rock 'N' Roll". His guitar parts and backing vocals remained. After Thorpe's departure, the group's success dwindled. Re-formation (1982–1999) The band re-formed in 1982, with a line-up consisting of Williams, Clarke, Hurd, and drummer Alex Bines to exploit the German market for 1970s nostalgia. "You're the Reason Why" was played. == Legal issues ==

In 2002, the group hit the headlines once more when, following an acrimonious split and legal action, the Rubettes became the latest in a long line of bands (including the Beach Boys and Spandau Ballet) to end up in the courts in a dispute over ownership of the band's name. The court ruled that both Williams and Hurd could tour as the Rubettes, as long as it was clear which member was fronting the band. Sitting in the High Court in London, Judge Pat Treacy ruled for Williams and said: "The defendants' conduct amounts to a misrepresentation sufficient to engage the tort of passing off. The claimants have succeeded." ==Original personnel==

The Rubettes (1973–1980, 1982–1999) Former • Alan Williams (born Alan James Williams, 22 December 1948, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire) – guitars, vocals (1973–1980, 1982–1999) • Pete Arnesen (born Hans Peter Arnesen, 25 August 1945, Salzburg, Austria) – keyboards (1973–1974) • Tony Thorpe (born Anthony John Thorpe, 20 July 1945, St Bartholomew Hospital, Smithfield, London) – guitars, vocals (1974–1979) • Mick Clarke (born Michael William Clarke, 10 August 1946, Grimsby, Lincolnshire) – bass, vocals (1973–1980, 1982–1987, 1993–1999) • Bill Hurd (born William Frederick George Hurd, 11 August 1947, East Ham, East London) – keyboards, vocals (1974–1976, 1982–1999) • John "Jayadev" Richardson (born John George Richardson, 3 May 1947, South Ockendon, Essex) – drums, vocals (1973–1980) • Bob Benham – guitars, vocals (1979) • Alex Bines – drums, vocals (1982–1999) • Steve Kinch – bass, vocals (1987–1991) • Trevor Holliday – bass, vocals (1991–1993) Timeline ImageSize = width:1400 height:400 PlotArea = left:140 bottom:80 top:10 right:10 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy Period = from:01/01/1973 till:31/12/1999 TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy Colors = id:guitar value:green legend:Guitar,_vocals id:bass value:blue legend:Bass,_vocals id:keyboards value:purple legend:Keyboards,_vocals id:drums value:orange legend:Drums,_vocals id:lines1 value:black legend:Studio_album id:bars value:gray(0.9) Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:1 BackgroundColors = bars:bars ScaleMajor = unit:year increment:2 start:1973 ScaleMinor = unit:year increment:1 start:1973 BarData = bar:Alan text:Alan Williams bar:Tony text:Tony Thorpe bar:Bob text:Bob Benham bar:Mick text:Mick Clarke bar:Steve text:Steve Kinch bar:Trevor text:Trevor Holliday bar:Bill text:Bill Hurd bar:Pete text:Pete Arnesen bar:John text:John Richardson bar:Alex text:Alex Bines PlotData= width:10 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4) bar:Alan from:start till:31/12/1980 color:guitar bar:Alan from:01/01/1982 till:end color:guitar bar:Pete from:start till:31/12/1974 color:keyboards bar:Tony from:01/01/1974 till:01/01/1979 color:guitar bar:Mick from:start till:31/12/1980 color:bass bar:Mick from:01/01/1982 till:31/12/1987 color:bass bar:Steve from:31/12/1987 till:31/12/1991 color:bass bar:Trevor from:31/12/1991 till:01/01/1993 color:bass bar:Mick from:01/01/1993 till:end color:bass bar:Bob from:01/01/1979 till:31/12/1979 color:guitar bar:Bill from:start till:31/12/1976 color:keyboards bar:Bill from:01/01/1982 till:end color:keyboards bar:John from:start till:31/12/1980 color:drums bar:Alex from:01/01/1982 till:end color:drums width:2.5 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(11,-4) LineData = at:01/12/1974 color:lines1 layer:back at:01/03/1975 color:lines1 layer:back at:01/11/1975 color:lines1 layer:back at:01/06/1976 color:lines1 layer:back at:01/04/1977 color:lines1 layer:back at:01/03/1978 color:lines1 layer:back at:01/10/1978 color:lines1 layer:back at:01/12/1992 color:lines1 layer:back at:01/05/1992 color:lines1 layer:back at:01/01/1995 color:lines1 layer:back == Different versions of the Rubettes ==

The Rubettes featuring Alan Williams (2000-present) In 2000, Williams formed his version of the band along with Clarke, Richardson, and ex-Kinks keyboardist Mark Haley. The band broke up in February 2019. A new Rubettes was formed with the original members John Richardson, Mick Clarke, and Steve Etherington (producer/arranger since 1995). Current members • Alan Williams – guitars, vocals (2000–present) • Glyn Davies (born 1959, Wednesbury, Staffordshire) – guitar, vocals (2019–present) • Spencer Lingwood – drums, vocals (2019–present) • Lawrence Haley – bass, vocals (2019–present) Former members • John "Jayadev" Richardson – drums, vocals (2000–2019) • Mick Clarke – bass, vocals (2000–2019) • Steve Etherington – keyboards, guitars, vocals (2015–2019) • Mark Haley – keyboards, guitars, vocals (2000–2015) Members of the original Rubettes are in bold Timeline ImageSize = width:1400 height:400 PlotArea = left:140 bottom:80 top:10 right:10 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy Period = from:01/01/2000 till:31/12/2024 TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy Colors = id:guitar value:green legend:Guitar,_vocals id:bass value:blue legend:Bass,_vocals id:keyboards value:purple legend:Keyboards,_vocals id:drums value:orange legend:Drums,_vocals id:bars value:gray(0.9) Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:1 BackgroundColors = bars:bars ScaleMajor = unit:year increment:2 start:2000 ScaleMinor = unit:year increment:1 start:2000 BarData = bar:Alan text:Alan Williams bar:Mick text:Mick Clarke bar:Lawrence text:Lawrence Haley bar:Mark text:Mark Haley bar:Steve text:Steve Etherington bar:Glyn text:Glyn Davies bar:John text:John Richardson bar:Spencer text:Spencer Lingwood PlotData= width:10 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4) bar:Alan from:start till:end color:guitar bar:Mick from:start till:01/02/2019 color:bass bar:John from:start till:01/02/2019 color:drums bar:Glyn from:01/02/2019 till:end color:keyboards bar:Lawrence from:01/02/2019 till:end color:bass bar:Spencer from:01/02/2019 till:end color:drums bar:Mark from:start till:31/12/2015 color:keyboards bar:Steve from:31/12/2015 till:01/02/2019 color:keyboards width:2.5 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(11,-4) The Rubettes featuring Bill Hurd (2000-present) Following the dissolution of the original band, Hurd formed his version of the group with longtime drummer Alex Bines, vocalist Paul Da Vinci (who had performed lead vocal on "Sugar Baby Love"), bassist Billy Hill, and guitarist Rufus Rufell. Da Vinci departed the band in 2006 and was replaced by George Bird, and guitarist Rufell leaving in 2009 and replaced by Ian Pearce. In June 2009, Bill Hurd's Rubettes played at the East Kilbride ArtBurst Festival. In 2010, Bill Hurd's Rubettes covered the 1997 Thorpe composition "Where the Angels Fear to Tread" on their album ''21st Century Rock 'n' Roll'' on Angel Air Records. 2013 saw the beginning of the most turbulent period in the band's history, as line-up instability was common for the next two years. First Bines, Hill, and Pearce all left the band to be replaced by Paul Callaby (drums), Ray Frost (guitars), and John Sorrell (bass) respectively, leaving Hurd as the last remaining "founding member" of his version of the group. Late 2013 saw Bird depart the band to be replaced by Yvan Silva. By mid-2013 the band underwent a major personnel upheaval again, as everyone other than Hurd departed the band. The line-up then solidified with the arrival of vocalist Ken Butler, drummer Martin Clapson, and guitarist Dave Harding, with Mike Steed joining them on bass (on loan from The Marmalade) for a few months. The band line-up has remained fairly settled since 2014 with the only changes following the death of Ken Butler in 2018 saw the appointment of John Summerton (ex Flintlock) on guitar and vocals, and the arrival of drummer Damian Fisher. Current • Bill Hurd – keyboards, vocals (2000–present) • Damian Fisher – drums, vocals (2017–2018, 2020–present) • Dave Harding – guitar, vocals (2014–present) • Chris Staines – bass, vocals (2015–2017, 2019–present) Former • Alex Bines – drums, vocals (2000–2013) • Rufus Ruffell – guitars, vocals (2000–2009) • Ian Pearce – guitars, vocals (2009–2013) • Paul Da Vinci – vocals (2000–2006) • George Bird – vocals (2006–2013) • Paul Callaby – drums, vocals (2013–2014) • Ray Frost – guitars, vocals (2013–2014) • John Sorrell – bass, vocals (2013–2014) • Yvan Silva – guitars, vocals (2013–2014) • Mike Steed – bass, vocals (2014) • Billy Hill – bass, vocals (2000–2013, 2017–2020) • Martin Clapson – drums, vocals (2015–2017, 2018–2020) • Kenny Butler – guitars, vocals – (2014–2018) • John Summerton – guitar, vocals (2018–2021?) Members of the original Rubettes are in bold Timeline ImageSize = width:1400 height:400 PlotArea = left:140 bottom:80 top:10 right:10 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy Period = from:01/01/2000 till:31/12/2024 TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy Colors = id:vocals value:red legend:Lead_vocals id:guitar value:green legend:Guitar,_vocals id:bass value:blue legend:Bass,_vocals id:keyboards value:purple legend:Keyboards,_vocals id:drums value:orange legend:Drums,_vocals id:bars value:gray(0.9) Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:1 BackgroundColors = bars:bars ScaleMajor = unit:year increment:2 start:2000 ScaleMinor = unit:year increment:1 start:2000 BarData = bar:Paul2 text:Paul Da Vinci bar:George text:George Bird bar:Rufus text:Rufus Ruffell bar:Ian text:Ian Pearce bar:Ray text:Ray Frost bar:Yvan text:Yvan Silva bar:Kenny text:Kenny Butler bar:John text:John Summerton bar:Billy text:Billy Hill bar:John2 text:John Sorrell bar:Mike text:Mike Steed bar:Chris text:Chris Staines bar:Bill text:Bill Hurd bar:Alex text:Alex Bines bar:Paul text:Paul Callaby bar:Martin text:Martin Clapson bar:Damian text:Damian Fisher PlotData= width:10 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4) bar:Bill from:start till:end color:keyboards bar:Rufus from:start till:31/12/2009 color:guitar bar:Ian from:31/12/2009 till:01/01/2013 color:guitar bar:Ray from:01/01/2013 till:31/12/2014 color:guitar bar:Yvan from:01/01/2013 till:31/12/2014 color:guitar bar:Kenny from:31/12/2014 till:31/12/2018 color:guitar bar:John from:31/12/2018 till:03/01/2021 color:guitar bar:Billy from:start till:01/01/2013 color:bass bar:John2 from:01/01/2013 till:01/01/2014 color:bass bar:Mike from:01/01/2014 till:31/12/2014 color:bass bar:Chris from:31/12/2014 till:31/12/2017 color:bass bar:Billy from:31/12/2017 till:31/12/2019 color:bass bar:Chris from:31/12/2019 till:end color:bass bar:Alex from:start till:01/01/2013 color:drums bar:Paul from:01/01/2013 till:31/12/2014 color:drums bar:Martin from:31/12/2014 till:31/12/2017 color:drums bar:Damian from:31/12/2017 till:31/12/2018 color:drums bar:Martin from:31/12/2018 till:31/12/2020 color:drums bar:Damian from:31/12/2020 till:end color:drums bar:Paul2 from:start till:31/12/2006 color:vocals bar:George from:31/12/2006 till:01/01/2013 color:vocals width:2.5 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(11,-4) The Rubettes featuring John, Mick, & Steve (2019-present) In February 2019, founding members of "The Rubettes featuring Alan Williams" John Richardson, Mick Clarke, and Steve Etherington (who with the exception of Etherington are original members of the band) decided to break away from Alan Williams, and formed the Rubettes featuring John, Mick, and Steve. They are currently the only version of the Rubettes to have released a full-length studio album. • John "Jayadev" Richardson – drums, vocals • Mick Clarke – bass, vocals • Steve Etherington – keyboards, guitars, vocals Members of the original Rubettes are in bold ==Discography==

Studio albums ;Other Albums • On Tour (October 2008) [Studio Album/Compilation + Bonus Tracks] CLCD002 • La Legende Continue (July 2016) [Studio Album/Compilation + Bonus Tracks] CLCD003 Singles ==See also==