Rival Rubettes bands go to court

The Rubettes' Sugar Baby Love was a UK number one for five weeks

Two versions of British glam band The Rubettes have gone to court over claims that one is being falsely promoted.

A court ruling in 1999 saw the band, whose 1974 single Sugar Baby Love made number one, split in two, with singer Alan Williams leading one of the bands.

Williams claims the other version, led by original member Bill Hurd, have used his photo in their promotion and were falsely promoted as the original band.

Hurd has counter-claimed and both sides have claimed breach of contract.

The case is expected to last three days and both sides are claiming damages.

Chart success

Hurd's group includes Paul Prewer, a session musician who sang the original version of Sugar Baby Love.

The Rubettes were formed in London in 1973 from a collection of leading session musicians and singers by Polydor Records.

Sugar Baby Love was the band's debut single and went on to sell eight million copies internationally, reaching number 37 in the US chart.

Other UK hits included Tonight, Jukebox Jive and I Can Do It.