Whilst I don’t think a fan-site is the right environment for airing these issues relating to the Glitter Band, I feel, given a backdrop of mis-truths, that it is time for some facts to put the record straight and share with genuine fans, whose support I value greatly, what is going on so you perhaps understand my actions better.

• The Glitter Band is an internationally registered trademark and the only person entitled to use the Glitter Band name is the person who holds that trademark. That trademark was jointly held by Gerry Shephard and myself, and after Gerry’s passing, is now held exclusively by me.

• John Rossall is not entitled to use the name Glitter Band but has continually flouted the trademark and legal judgements protecting it, the last of which in 1997 re-affirmed this but allowed for him to refer to himself in small print as ex-Glitter Band, subject on each occasion to prior approval by the holder of the Glitter Band trademark. He continues to flout the law.

• I am not and have never tried to deny John Rossall the right to perform. All I have done, as I did previously with Gerry was to protect the Glitter Band trademark so Gerry and I could continue to earn a living from it through what we all know have been challenging times. Both Gerry and I were happy for John to perform as John Rossall using the line ex-Glitter Band. This would have made it clear that he was not trading as the Glitter Band itself.  However John has continually ignored various high court judgements and billed himself under various permutations of the name The Glitter Band.

• I have been performing as the Glitter Band consistently over the last 20 years at shows across Europe. Last year John Springate rejoined the band and we have obviously been actively promoting our ‘new’ lineup with the band fronted by one of its original lead singers and bassist.

• John Rossall left the band early in its history under circumstances, which I don’t want to go into, but at that point he gave up the right to use the name and played no part in the creative output of the band. I would never negate John’s contribution to the band in those early years including co-writing some great songs (more on that to come).

• I am more than happy for genuine Glitter Band fans to have a web presence to share in their enjoyment of everything Glitter Band. However a supposed fan-site that perpetuates ‘passing off’ against the Glitter Band trademark undermines my ability to earn a living from the Glitter Band, which I have invested a significant part of my life in and not insignificant sums of money too.  I know that for you the fans the Glitter Band is a passion, as it is for me, but it is my career and my livelihood too and I have every legal and moral right to protect it for myself and my family.  Should any fan want to run a website celebrating all things Glitter Band, I would endorse it 100%. I would be happy for it to include what John Rossall does these days, just so long as it doesn’t breach the law by passing him off as the Glitter Band in any way shape or form.

Finally, it’s been said that I acted without consulting Andy deClerke. On the contrary I have been in contact with him over the past few months in order to ask him to remove some of the content from his website. He has ignored me, and my requests, mainly because he has vested business interests in John Rossall’s activities. This proves to me that there is a totally biased objective in his handling of information available to true unbiased fans that visit the site regularly.

I hope in setting out these facts for you, you understand what has been going on now AND my motives. Neither I nor any member of the band are the bullies we are made out to be by certain individuals– they have their own agendas as I hope you can see now. I don’t want to say any more on this subject, as we want to focus on what this is all about - delivering the authentic sound, the great songs and the exciting live shows of The Glitter Band for you to enjoy.