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.
Rock is dead
The Rubettes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They all got together at
The laundermat
She say o-ho-ho
We got to take it slow
I know they'll never get nothing
To beat that rock'n'roll
Other music just leaves me cold
Rock is dead but it won't lie down
Shakes it's hip and stakes it's than
We said that rock would fade away
But I know rock wanna hear to stay
And I told friends who told the town
News like that soon gets around
Rock'n'roll is dead but it won't lie down
Mummy says stop daddy blew top
When we all got together at the local hop
I say o-ho-ho
You really just don't know
I know there'll never be nothing
To beat that rock'n'roll
Other music just leaves me call
'Cause I got it down in my soul
The Rubettes's song "Rock Is Dead" is an anthem for rock and roll music, championing the genre as a timeless classic that will never fade away. The song is a tribute to the enduring popularity of rock music, even in the face of other musical styles that have come and gone over the years. The verses of the song describe a group of friends who meet up at the laundermat to discuss their love of rock music, with one speaker insisting that they need to take it slow and enjoy the music that they love.
The chorus of the song repeatedly emphasizes the message that rock might be dead, but it won't ever lie down. The singer of the song recognizes that rock music might be seen as old-fashioned or outdated, but they passionately defend the genre as the one that speaks to them the most and has remained an essential part of their identity. The song's last verse describes how the singer's parents reject rock music, with his father even getting angry when the group goes to a local hop. However, the singer remains steadfast in their love of rock music, knowing that no other music can ever replace it.
Overall, "Rock Is Dead" is an uplifting anthem that celebrates the enduring power of rock and roll music, speaking directly to its devotees who would never trade it in for any other genre.
Line by Line Meaning
Arne told Pat she told Nat
Arne shared some information with Pat, who then shared it with Nat.
They all got together at the laundermat
The three people mentioned previously (Arne, Pat, and Nat) met up at the laundromat.
She say o-ho-ho
The singer ('she') said 'o-ho-ho'.
We got to take it slow
The artist thinks they need to proceed cautiously.
I know they'll never get nothing to beat that rock'n'roll
The artist believes that no other music genre can surpass rock music.
Other music just leaves me cold
The singer doesn't enjoy any other music genres as much as they enjoy rock music.
'Cause I got it down in my soul
The singer loves rock music so deeply that it's ingrained in their very being.
Rock is dead but it won't lie down
Rock music may not be as popular as it once was, but it refuses to fade away.
Shakes it's hip and stakes it's than
Rock music hasn't lost its appeal or power; it still manages to captivate listeners.
We said that rock would fade away
At some point, people thought that rock music would become less popular and disappear.
But I know rock wanna hear to stay
The singer believes that rock music is here to stay, in spite of what people may have previously believed.
And I told friends who told the town
The artist informed their friends about their belief regarding rock music, and the news quickly spread throughout the town.
News like that soon gets around
People communicate information quickly and efficiently, especially when it's something they're passionate about (like rock music).
Rock'n'roll is dead but it won't lie down
The sentiment expressed earlier in the song is echoed here, emphasizing the idea that rock music may not be as popular, but it's still relevant and won't disappear completely.
Mummy says stop daddy blew top
The singer's parents (mummy and daddy) had an argument or disagreement about something.
When we all got together at the local hop
The artist and their friends (Arne, Pat, and Nat) were all hanging out at a local dance event.
I say o-ho-ho
The artist said 'o-ho-ho'.
You really just don't know
The singer believes that the person they're addressing doesn't fully understand the power and appeal of rock music.
Writer(s): ANTHONY WADDINGTON, WAYNE BICKERTON
Contributed by Mackenzie O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@francisgustin-eh7gb
Il onf fait quelques bons tubes❤
@paviakristiansen804
Beautiful song <3
@paviakristiansen804
Who's the guitar player?