Text Box: WARNING Copyright in the name ‘Rubettes’ is owned by Creative License Incorporated. Use of the name, logo or image is prohibited. Any persons, companies or corporation guilty of infringing that copyright by way of soliciting or exploiting the name, logo, likeness or image of the ‘Rubettes’ in any form or medium whatsoever, in any territory of the World without prior permission of Creative License Incorporated will be prosecuted. Text Box: In the autumn of 1973, Wayne Bickerton then head of A & R at Polydor Records, gathered together several top session musicians and singers at Landsdown Studios in Holland Park, London to record four songs, three of which were later to become international ‘Hits’ for the then ‘unconceived’ and therefore then ‘unheard of’ Rubettes. Polydor, convinced of the potential of one of those songs, concluded that a certain ‘magic’ had been captured in the ‘demo’ and decided to release it there and then, but as an Artist or Group didn’t exist as such one had to be found to promote the record. It seemed obvious to Wayne Bickerton, who wrote the songs with co-writer Tony Waddington, that some of the guys who actually played and sung on the record should be approached first, and that to consolidate the image they should be given an American 50's type name that would convey their sound precisely. What better than the ‘Rubettes’. And so it was that John Richardson, Alan Williams & Pete Arnesen were asked to form a band. Some more musicians were needed to complete the line up so John contacted musician friends Mick Clarke, Bill Hurd & Tony Thorpe who were delighted with the opportunity and rightly so for it was but a few months later that the Rubettes achieved the coveted No.1 spot in the U.K. charts in May 1974 with their first single ‘Sugar Baby Love’. Text Box: Within months this phenomenal success was repeated virtually Worldwide and before long the ‘Rubettes’ found themselves riding on the crest of a wave after a succession of ‘Hits’ in Europe and places further afield such as Australia and Japan. ‘Hits’ which included two more songs from that first session in 1973, namely ‘Tonight’ and “Juke Box Jive”. Within a year however, during which time the Rubettes completed their first U.K. tour and countless T.V. appearances Worldwide, they were reduced to ‘Five’ when Pete Arnesen the only American in the group elected for personal reasons to leave, he wasn’t replaced. Pete was followed a few ‘Hits’ later by Bill Hurd who chose to pursue a ‘solo’ career, but the die was cast and the Rubettes, now down to four, were firmly established as one of the major exponents of the ‘Glam Rock’ era. Unfortunately, as with most things, nothing lasts forever, and in 1977, having recorded 8 albums for Polydor Records, which between them produced a total of 15 International ‘Hits’ of infinitely varying styles, the end was in sight or seemingly so. ‘Baby I Know’, a country song, became the Rubettes last U.K. ‘Hit’ in early 1977. and although in content a million miles from ‘Sugar Baby Love’ it somehow seemed a fitting testament to how far they had progressed in so short a time. There followed two more European ‘Hits’ in the form of ‘Ooh La La’ and ‘Cherie Amour’ but with their reign at the top effectively over and they did remain working and recording as a group in various forms even after Tony Thorpe's departure in 1979 chart wise they fell silent. Text Box: Then in 1983 a telephone call to Alan Williams from a promoter in German brought about their surprise resurrection, ‘Nostalgia’ was sweeping the Globe and once again the Rubettes along with many of their contemporaries were once again in vogue and much sought after. Unfortunately John Richardson whose life style had dramatically changed in the meantime declined to go back on the road with Alan Williams and Mick Clarke which would have been a problem had it not been for the fact that Bill Hurd had been available and keen to pick up where he had left off in 1976. Alex Bines, who was once Bill’s milkman, completed the ‘new’ line up on drums and for the following decade and a half the Rubettes ‘Never looked back’. Text Box: Upon reaching their 25th. year in 1999 Bill & Alex decided to pursue their musical ambitions elsewhere leaving a void enthusiastically filled by original drummer John Richardson and ace Keyboard player Mark Haley. A great musical milestone had been reached and blissfully surpassed. Today in their 30th. Anniversary year, with a career boasting hundreds of Television appearances, thousands of Concerts and in excess of 30 million Worldwide record sales all the Rubettes remain in good health and pleasantly optimistic about the future, their past a significant part of musical history.

1974

1976

Sceptics would say shortly afterwards that their whirlwind rise to the top was primarily due to their uniquely flamboyant image and wouldn’t last, but their incredibly distinct vocal sound had made its mark and for whatever the reason the British public had taken the Rubettes to their hearts, the ‘Legend’ was born and history was to eventually show that ‘Sugar Baby Love’ would  attain the status of ‘Classic’.

1974