The line-up of the band was Alan Williams (born 22 December 1948); Tony Thorpe (born 20 July 1947); Bill Hurd (born 11 August 1948); Mick Clarke (born 10 August 1946), and John Richardson (born 3 May 1948). The Rubettes’ first (and biggest hit) was “Sugar Baby Love” (released in 1974) which was a UK no. 1 and going on to sell around eight million copies worldwide. The distinctive falsetto lead vocal to “Sugar Baby Love” was however performed by Paul Da Vinci (real name: Paul Prewer) who left the group after a few weeks to be replaced by Williams.
The Rubettes went on to have a number of other hits during the mid-seventies such as “Juke Box Jive” and “I Can Do It”, mostly written by the Bickerton-Waddington song-writing team. Their final hit was the ‘country rock’ styled ballad - “Baby I Know” - which reached no. 10 in the UK in 1977.
The Rubettes’ first and biggest hit was "Sugar Baby Love" (1974) which was a UK number one, going on to sell around 500,000 copies in the UK and a reported global sale of three million copies. Two million copies being sold in France alone, an achievement matched by no other British group.[citation needed] With more three songs, "Sugar Baby Love" was recorded for Polydor in October 1973 at Landsdown Studios in Holland Park, London by some session musicians featuring the distinctive falsetto lead vocal by Paul Da Vinci (real name: Paul Prewer), but then he didn't seize the opportunity to actually become a member of the band put together by John Richardson and went for solo work. To be The Rubettes' debut single, "Sugar Baby Love" was their only UK #1 and sole U.S. Top 40 entry. In November 1974 NME music magazine reported that The Rubettes, The Glitter Band and Mud were among the UK bands who had roles in a new film titled Never Too Young To Rock.
The Rubettes went on to have a number of other hits across Europe during the mid 1970s such as "Tonight", "Juke Box Jive" and "I Can Do It" sung by Alan Williams, mostly written by the Bickerton-Waddington songwriting team. The Rubettes success encouraged Bickerton and Waddington to set up State Records, so that ten months after the release of "Sugar Baby Love", the fourth Rubettes single "I Can Do It" was on State (catalogue reference STAT 1).
None charted in the States, though, and the band evolved glammy nostalgia into more serious territory. "Under One Roof" (1976) a sensitive portrayal of a gay man disowned and later murdered by his father; along with Rod Stewart's "The Killing of Georgie", was one of very few songs tackling the difficult topic of homophobia. Their most successful self composed hit was the country rock styled ballad "Baby I Know", which reached number 10 in the UK and Germany in 1977. They played as a quintet since early 1975 and always as a quartet since mid 1976 (Bill Hurd became an out-off-staff member). After Thorpe's departure in 1979, The Rubettes fell silent in the face of dwindling success and soon had disbanded.
But the band continued releasing records into the 1980s, then re-grouped in 1983 in order to exploit the German market for 1970s nostalgia.
In 1994, the group's profile was raised by the inclusion of "Sugar Baby Love" in the hit movie, Muriel's Wedding. This song was also featured in the 2005 Neil Jordan film, Breakfast on Pluto soundtrack.
In 2002, the group hit the headlines once more when, following an acrimonius split and legal action, the Rubettes became the latest in a long line of bands (including Pink Floyd, the Beach Boys and Spandau Ballet) who ended 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. Originals John Richardson and Mick Clarke, along with ex-Kinks keyboardist Mark Haley, feature with Alan Williams in his band; while Hurd is the only member of his group connected with the original line up.
All was well until 2005 when Williams and Hurd were back in court following an appearance by Hurd's band on the German television station ZDF, with Williams claiming Hurd had breached the terms of the original agreement. On 2 February 2006, a High Court judge found that Hurd and Williams had both been guilty of breaching the 2002 agreement. Costs of the trial were however awarded to Williams in view of the severity of Hurd's breaches. Hurd appealed against this decision, but on 3 November 2006 the Appeal Court in London ruled against him, awarding the costs of the appeal to Williams. Hurd has since gone bankrupt.
On 28 March 2008 "Sugar Baby Love" was declared to be the most successful oldie of all time by the German television station RTL.
In May and June 2008, The Rubettes were part of the 'Glitz Blitz & 70s Hitz' tour of the UK alongside Sweet and Showaddywaddy.
On June 19 2009, Bill Hurd's Rubettes played at the East Kilbride ArtBurst Festival.
Little 69
The Rubettes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I got to know how it feels, to be
Cruisin' down the road at ninety five
It's a brand new speed machine
I'm gonna need to keep it clean
The print is red with leatherette inside.
Little sixty nine, sixty nineer
Cruisin' out in mine with my diner
In my little, sixty nine
In my motor car with my baby
Underneath the stars, don't
Mean maybe;
Everything is fine with my diner
In my little sixty, nine.
She's gonna beat the fastest time
I know she really moves, just fine
Cruisin' down the road at ninety five
And everyone that we see
Will be looking at you and me
Don't you feel it's good to be alive.
Little sixty nine sixty niner
Cruisin' down the road I gotta make it fly
You know I gotta try
Little sixty nine sixty niner
Ove' and I knew I had to
The Rubettes's song Little 69 is a classic rock and roll tune that tells a story of cruising down the road in a brand new car, feeling alive and free. The first verse sets the stage with the singer boasting about their brand new set of wheels and the thrill of driving it down the open road. The singer notes that the car is a fast one and that it's important to keep it clean, indicating that they are very proud of it. The second verse describes the singer cruising with their partner, feeling fine and enjoying life. The catchy chorus repeats the phrase "Little 69, sixty niner" and emphasizes the excitement of driving at high speeds.
The song's lyrics are simple and straightforward but capture the spirit of rebellion and freedom that has always been associated with rock and roll. The car is a symbol of independence and escape, and the act of cruising is a way of rebelling against authority and conformity. The song also highlights the joy of being in a romantic relationship and the thrill of sharing experiences with someone special.
Despite its somewhat simplistic lyrics and upbeat tone, Little 69 has endured as a classic rock tune and continues to be played on classic rock stations and in movies and TV shows. Its catchy chorus and driving beat are infectious, and the song's themes of rebellion, freedom, and romance still resonate with listeners today.
Line by Line Meaning
I got a brand new set of wheels
I possess a brand new car
And I got to know how it feels, to be
I feel the need to experience
Cruisin' down the road at ninety-five
Driving at the speed of 95mph
It's a brand new speed machine
The car is a new super-fast vehicle
I'm gonna need to keep it clean
It requires regular maintenance
The print is red with leatherette inside
The interior of the car is leathered and printed in red
Little sixty-nine, sixty-niner
The model of the car is 1969 edition
Little sixty-nine, nothing finer
This car of 1969 edition is one of its kind.
Cruisin' out in mine with my diner
I am taking my date to dinner in my car.
In my little, sixty-nine
It's my cool 1969 car.
In my motor car with my baby
My girlfriend is accompanying me in the car.
Underneath the stars, don't mean maybe
We are stargazing and enjoying each other's company.
Everything is fine with my diner
We're having a great time together.
She's gonna beat the fastest time
The car is fast and can beat other cars
I know she really moves, just fine
The car performs efficiently.
And everyone that we see will be looking at you and me
Others stare at us enviously.
Don't you feel it's good to be alive
It's an incredible feeling to be alive.
Cruisin' down the road I gotta make it fly
I must increase the car's speed while cruising.
You know I gotta try
I must test the car's speed limit.
Ove' and I knew I had to
I and my partner knew we had to cruise together.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sonia Garcia
Vídeo maravilhoso, os meninos lindos com esta roupa descontraída, o Alan mais lindo impossível, adoro a banda!
Alice Duarte
Alan Williams te amo baby pra sempre em meu coração ❤️❤️❤️
Angela Lima
Ainda não sei em que vídeo o Alan William tá mais lindo 💓💓💓
Angela Lima
Maravilhoso amo ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Alice Duarte
Angela Alan Williams e lindo sempre não importa o vídeo ,ano seja lá o for é lindo sempre adorável meu eterno sugar baby love forever 😍😍😍
Wanda Castro
Eu sei todos porque Alan Williams é adorável e divino beleza sem igual l love you Alan Williams forever ♥️♥️♥️
Mihályné Halász
Nagyon szuper dal,imádom.
Maria Santos
Alan Williams forever ♥️♥️♥️🇧🇷
Lilian Aires
Alan lindíssimo e profissional! !❤❤
Lilian Aires
Amo!❤