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The Rubettes

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Musicians

The Resume

    (1973- )
    Created by Tony Waddington and Wayne Bickerton (Polydor Records)
    Original lineup:
    Alan Williams (guitarist, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire)
    John Richardson (drummer, South Ockendon, Essex)
    Mick Clarke (bassist, Grimsby, Lincolnshire)
    Tony Thorpe (guitarist, London)
    Pete Arnesen (keyboardist, Austria)
    Bill Hurd (keyboardist, East London)
    Singles include ‘Sugar Baby Love,’ ‘I Can Do It,’ ‘Juke Box Jive’ and ‘Baby I Know’

Why they might be annoying:

    They were created by songwriters who were rejected by many current acts of the time over their 1950s-flavored doo-wop material.
    Those silly white cloth caps.
    Only Richardson, Arnesen, and Williams were active in recording ‘Sugar Baby Love.’
    The vocalist for ‘Sugar Baby Love’ (Paul DaVinci, born Paul Prewer) was a falsetto who did not become a full member.
    Williams and Hurd engaged in a series of legal battles over ownership of the Rubettes name, with Hurd eventually going bankrupt.

Why they might not be annoying:

    They emerged shortly before the glitter rock movement ended.
    Their lucky break came when they replaced another band – not yet unionized – scheduled to appear on Top of the Pops.
    Shortly after ‘Sugar Baby Love,’ they abandoned the falsetto voices.
    A German TV station honored ‘Sugar Baby Love’ as the #1 oldie of all time (March 2008).
    Richardson went on to a successful alternative medicine career.

Credit: Cool It All Right?


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 3 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 5 Votes: 80.0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 11 Votes: 72.73% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 20 Votes: 65.00% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 27 Votes: 59.26% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 14 Votes: 64.29% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 8 Votes: 87.50% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 26 Votes: 73.08% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 32 Votes: 84.38% Annoying