The Rubettes, a chart-topping 70s glam-rock band best remembered for their number one single “Sugar Baby Love,” have been split apart by a nasty legal battle over their iconic name.
After the band parted up in 2018, frontman Alan Williams, 64, claimed that his former band colleagues conspired behind his back to form the Rubettes.
He claims that he and his company, Alan Williams Entertainments Ltd, have the right to use the name “the Rubettes” and that he and his company have the right to prevent former band members from doing so.
He also claims that Rubette guitarists Mick Clarke, 65, and Steve Etherington, 65, as well as singing drummer John Richardson, 65, have infringed on his trademark.
Mr Clarke, who created the band with Mr Williams and Mr Richardson, was’sacked’ in October 2018 ‘after a fee dispute,’ his attorney told the High Court in London.
Mr Clark soon after attempted to register the UK trademark for ‘the Rubettes,’ and formed his own band with Mr Richardson and Mr Etherington.
He was also accused of advertising his band with the band’s distinctive red and black emblem, which Mr Williams’ lawyer, Mr Smith, maintains he has no right to use.
The ‘fundamental question’ in the case, according to Mr Smith, is whether Mr Williams and his firm, Alan Williams Entertainments Ltd, have the legal authority to prevent his former bandmates from using the moniker ‘the Rubettes.’
He went on to say that until the fallout in 2018, Mr Williams’ company enjoyed a monopoly on using the disputed name.
‘Alan Williams Entertainment was the relevant trading entity utilizing the name or variations between roughly 1983 and when (the three band members) began their wrongdoing,’ he told the court.
Mr. Clarke and Mr. Richardson, according to the frontman, devised a “clandestine and hidden scheme” to break from Mr. Williams, and he had no idea what they were planning.
‘There wasn’t a whisper or a dickie bird,’ barrister Mr Smith testified to the judge.
Mr Williams alleges he was harmed as a result of the band’s disintegration.
‘He has been advised by one of the biggest promoters of 60s and 70s bands in the UK that he cannot promote his band because of Mr Clarke’s band’s presence in the UK,’ his attorney added.
Mr. Clarke and Mr. Richardson, according to the frontman, devised a “clandestine and hidden scheme” to break from Mr. Williams, and he had no idea what they were planning.
‘There wasn’t a whisper or a dickie bird,’ barrister Mr Smith testified to the judge.
Mr Williams alleges he was harmed as a result of the band’s disintegration.
‘He has been advised by one of the biggest promoters of 60s and 70s bands in the UK that he cannot promote his band because of Mr Clarke’s band’s presence in the UK,’ his attorney added.
Mr Williams’ dictatorial approach had also grown on him, according to the court, and he claimed that he was secretive about the money the Rubettes received and encouraged them to take on needless tour dates.
Mr Clarke testified from the witness stand, ‘He never consulted us about the fees.’
‘I was interested in being in the band and doing music, but not in taking on projects that were plainly more dangerous when no one showed up for some of the gigs.’
‘I could tell he was losing money instead of gaining money and harming the band.’
He said he told Mr Williams he wanted to keep the band together when he moved to Australia.
‘We told Alan we were going to keep on,’ Mr Clarke said in court.
The court also heard that the single ‘Sugar Baby Love,’ which sold 10 million copies worldwide, is still used as a popular melody in TV commercials and movie soundtracks.
John Richardson testified in court that he has known Alan Williams since 1969 and was present during the recording sessions for “Sugar Baby Love.”
‘Although Mr Williams’ evidence on this isn’t entirely clear, he seems to accept that he wasn’t responsible for the striking lead vocals, particularly in the introduction to the song,’ Michael Colbey, who represents the breakaway trio, said in response to how their chart-topping hit was masterminded back in the early 1970s.
‘No disrespect to him, but I just can’t recall him being there,’ Mr Smith said, pointing out that his frontman client had also participated in the sessions.
‘I was at all of the sessions, but I can’t say he was because I don’t recall.’
Mr Etherington is no longer a member of the Rubettes, although he remains a listed defendant in the court case.
Judge Pat Treacy has put off making a ruling in the matter for the time being.
This isn’t the first time a controversy has erupted over who has the right to use the band’s name.
In 2002, their keyboardist Bill Hurd split up, and it was decided in court that one band would be called the Rubettes with Alan Williams, and the other would be called the Rubettes with Bill Hurd.