same name.

Confusion surrounds the two appearances of the world-famous soul band the Manhattans, because they are two completely different groups.

On Sunday, March 13, Bootsie's Comedy Grip is presenting the Manhattans at Number One Shed as the headline act in a tribute evening to comedian Bootsie's father Mr. Eugene Arthur Ming.

And the following Saturday the New Clayhouse Inn is opening its new season with the Manhattans, plus a number of local stars.

Bootsie started the war of words this week. He said: "I heard Choy Aming was bringing the Manhattans in December, when he said he was also bringing in Freddie Jackson and Toni Braxton.

"But Choy often does this. I think it is to put off other promoters who think he has a monopoly on entertainment.'' The comedian says he contacted his agent in the United States about acts he could bring over for the tribute to his father. He said: "My agent said what about the Manhattans? So I agreed.

"I told Choy and he agreed to have them at the Clayhouse. I produced all the publicity and then Choy told me the place was closing for refurbishment. So I had wasted all that money.

"I then set up the concert at Number One Shed for March 13 and provided all the publicity for that.'' Bootsie said he was shocked when he read that Mr. Aming was advertising for the appearance of the "Original Manhattans'' at the Clayhouse on March 19.

The Manhattans began in the 1960s and had 17 successful years before splitting up. Original group members were Sonny Bivvins and Blue Lovette. They were famous for hits like "Shooting Star,'' "Kiss and Say Goodbye'' and "Crazy for You.'' There is some dispute between Bootsie and Mr. Aming about whether Gerald Alston was the original singer.

Mr. Alston and Mr. Lovette had left the band in the 1980s leaving it in the hands of Mr. Bivvins, who continued to play. But they reunited under the same name late last year while Mr. Bivvins' Manhattans continued to play.

It is now the subject of three legal actions in three states of the United States.

Bootsie said: "The ad that Choy has published is a fraud. He said it is the original Manhattans which is not true. Sonny has written to him telling him not to publish the ad again. Sonny is furious.

"Sonny and Blue are original members but Gerald Alston is not. He only played with them for a couple of years. There is one member in each band but Sonny kept the name going.'' Countering that argument, Mr. Aming said all three were in the original line-up, with Gerald Alston being the lead singer.