The Rubettes are an English pop/glam rock band put together in 1974 after the release of "Sugar Baby Love", performed and recorded by studio session musicians in 1973 by the songwriting team of Wayne Bickerton, the then head of A&R at Polydor Records, and his co-songwriter, Tony Waddington after their doo-wop and 1950s American pop-influenced songs had been rejected by a number of existing acts. Waddington paired the group with manager John Morris, the husband of singer Clodagh Rodgers, and under his guidance, the band emerged at the end of the glam rock movement, wearing trademark white suits and cloth caps on stage. and remains their best-known record.
History
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. 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 <small>(born Alan James Williams, 22 December 1948, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire)</small> – guitars, vocals <small>(1973–1980, 1982–1999)</small>
- Pete Arnesen <small>(born Hans Peter Arnesen, 25 August 1945, Salzburg, Austria)</small> – keyboards <small>(1973–1974)</small>
- Tony Thorpe <small>(born Anthony John Thorpe, 20 July 1945, St Bartholomew Hospital, Smithfield, London
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 <small>(2000–present)</small>
- Glyn Davies <small>(born 1959, Wednesbury, Staffordshire)</small> – guitar, vocals <small>(2019–present)</small>
- Spencer Lingwood – drums, vocals <small>(2019–present)</small>
- Lawrence Haley – bass, vocals <small>(2019–present)</small>
Former members
- John "Jayadev" Richardson – drums, vocals <small>(2000–2019)</small>
- Mick Clarke – bass, vocals <small>(2000–2019)</small>
- Steve Etherington – keyboards, guitars, vocals <small>(2015–2019)</small>
- Mark Haley – keyboards, guitars, vocals <small>(2000–2015)</small>
Members of the original Rubettes are in bold
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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 <small>(2000–present)</small>
- Damian Fisher – drums, vocals <small>(2017–2018, 2020–present)</small>
- Dave Harding – guitar, vocals <small>(2014–present)</small>
- Chris Staines – bass, vocals <small>(2015–2017, 2019–present)</small>
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 <small>(2018–2021?)</small>
Members of the original Rubettes are in bold
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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
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;" | Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:18em;"| Album details
! scope="col" colspan="3"| Peak chart positions
|-
!style="width:3em;font-size:85%"|UK<br>
!style="width:3em;font-size:85%"|GER<br>
- Label: Dice Records
- Formats: LP, K7, CD
| — || — || —
|-
!scope="row"| Making Love in the Rain
|
- Released: 1995
- Label: Dice Records
- Formats: CD
| — || — || —
|-
|}
;Other Albums
- On Tour (October 2008) [Studio Album/Compilation + Bonus Tracks] CLCD002
- La Legende Continue (July 2016) [Studio Album/Compilation + Bonus Tracks] CLCD003
Singles
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Year
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:24em;" | Title
! scope="col" colspan="9" | Peak chart positions
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Album
|-
!style="width:3em;font-size:85%"|UK<br>
!style="width:3em;font-size:85%"|AUS<br>
!style="width:3em;font-size:85%"|BEL<br>
!style="width:3em;font-size:85%"|GER<br>
!style="width:3em;font-size:85%"|NET<br>
!style="width:3em;font-size:85%"|NOR<br>
!style="width:3em;font-size:85%"|SWI<br>
!style="width:3em;font-size:85%"|US<br>
|-
|rowspan="3"|1974
! scope="row" |"Sugar Baby Love"
| 1 || 2 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 2 || 1 || 37
|rowspan="2"|Wear It's 'At
|-
! scope="row" |"Tonight"
| 12 || 98 || 13 || 3 || 4 || 4 || 5 || — || —
|-
! scope="row" |"Juke Box Jive"
| 3 ||46 || 8 || 1 || 4 || 2 || — || — || —
|rowspan="2"|We Can Do It
|-
|rowspan="3"|1975
! scope="row" |"I Can Do It"
| 7 || 89 || 7 || 5 || 3 || 5 || — || 6 || —
|-
! scope="row" |"Foe-Dee-Oh-Dee"
| 15 || — || 8 || 7 || 6 || 7 || — || — || —
|rowspan="2"|Rubettes
|-
! scope="row" |"Little Darling"
| 30 || — || — || 7 || 22 || 19 || — || — || —
|-
|rowspan="6"|1976
! scope="row" |"You're the Reason Why"
| 28 || — || — || 6 || 22 || 7 || — || — || —
|rowspan="2"|Sign of the Times
|-
! scope="row" |"Julia"
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|-
! scope="row" |"Under One Roof"
| 40 || — || — || 28 || 30 || — || — || — || —
|rowspan="2"|Baby I Know
|-
! scope="row" |"Allez Oop"
| — || — || — || 25 || — || — || — || — || —
|-
! scope="row" |"Dark Side of the World"
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|rowspan="1"|Rubettes
|-
! scope="row" |"Rock Is Dead"
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|rowspan="1"|Wear It's 'At
|-
|rowspan="5"|1977
! scope="row" |"Baby I Know"
| 10|| — || — || 25 || 34 || — || — || — || —
|rowspan="3"|Baby I Know
|-
! scope="row" |"Ooh La La"
| — || — || — || — || 16 || — || — || — || —
|-
! scope="row" |"Ladies of Laredo"
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|-
! scope="row" |"Come on Over"
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|rowspan="1"|Sometime in Oldchurch
|-
! scope="row" |"Cherie Amour"
| — || — || — || — || 39 || — || — || — || —
|rowspan="2"
|-
|rowspan="4"|1978
! scope="row" |"Little 69"
| — || — || — || — || 37 || — || — || — || —
|-
! scope="row" |"Sometime in Oldchurch"
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|rowspan="1"|Sometime in Oldchurch
|-
! scope="row" |"Goodbye Dolly Gray"
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|rowspan="2"|Still Unwinding
|-
! scope="row" |"Movin"
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|-
|rowspan="3"|1979
! scope="row" |"Lola"
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|rowspan="1"
|-
! scope="row" |"Stay With Me"
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|rowspan="1"
|-
! scope="row" |"Kid Runaway"
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|Shangri'la
|-
|rowspan="3"|1981
! scope="row" |"Stuck on You"
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|rowspan="5"
|-
! scope="row" |"Rockin' Rubettes Party 45"
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|-
! scope="row" |"I Can't Give You Up"
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|-
|rowspan="1"|1982
! scope="row" |"Don't Come Crying"
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|-
|rowspan="1"|1985
! scope="row" |"Rockin' Rubettes Party 45"
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|-
|rowspan="2"|1989
! scope="row" |"New Way of Loving You"
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|Making Love in the Rain
|-
! scope="row" |"Megamix"
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|rowspan="1"
|-
|rowspan="2"|1992
! scope="row" |"I Never Knew"
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|Shangri'la
|-
! scope="row" |"Radio Mix"
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|rowspan="1"
|-
|rowspan="1"|1993
! scope="row" |"Oh So Lonely"
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|rowspan="1"|Riding on a Rainbow
|-
|rowspan="1"|2019
|}
See also
- List of artists who reached number one on the UK singles chart
- List of one-hit wonders in the United States
- List of performers on Top of the Pops
References
External links
- Rubettes featuring Alan Williams
- The Rubettes featuring Bill Hurd
- Tony Thorpe Official Website
- [ The Rubettes biography at the AllMusic website]
- John Richardson biography
- Lancashiretelegraph.co.uk