LIfe and Times John Waite
John Waite - Short Biography
John Waite.
Without realizing it many people are acquainted with John Waite.
Although a first encounter with the name "John Waite” doesn’t immediately ring a bell, a short summary of his
musical achievements commands very soon recognition, admiration and respect.
Especially his unique, pristine and fragile voice throws people into ecstasies. John Waite is: The Babys, the solo hit
"Missing You” and - of course - Bad English.
Being born in Lancaster - England - on the 4th of Juli 1952, John Waite is above all known for his movingly - delicately sung rock ballads.
Like no other his voice is capable to shape the stilled emotions and chilled romantic relations through singular songs and lovely tuneful scores - the voice of John Waite is one of unmatched quality.
The excellently modest, crystal clear sung, distinct vocals accomplish that pieces of music like: "Isn’t It Time”, "Every
Time I Think Of You” (with The Babys), "Missing You”, "Time Stood Still” and "When I See You Smile” (with Bad
English) are ever more often being regarded as pinnacles of the rocking chronicles.
Together with The Babys John Waite had big hits, apart from The Netherlands also in Japan, Italy andGermany, but
in particular in the U.S. of America.
Very well known are: "Isn’t It Time” (nr. 4 position in The Netherlands - 1977), "Every Time I Think Of You
(nr. 7 position in 1979) and "Piece Of The Action” - records that were played perpetually by Frits Spits and others.
After The Babys separated in 1981, John Waite had a number one hit record in the U.S. of America with: "Missing
You” - which was also an "M.T.V.-Darling”.
In this song John Waite describes the miserable loneliness he felt when living in the U.S.A. after the divorce from his
adolescent love Lynn, who remained in England.
His song "Missing You” has numerous times been covered by other artists.
Tina Turner, Rod Stewart, Brooks and Dun, Tylor Hilton but also our own Bert Heering (Vandenberg) paid honour to the quality of the song by recording and releasing their version.
In 1989 Bad English made her appearance, comprising John Waite and some old friends from The Babys.
The name: "Bad English” was derived from a snooker term.
According to critics Bad English was a characteristic Arena rock band - as were more bands in the American late eighties.
The first (self-titled) album of Bad English reached platinum status and with "When I See You Smile” John Waite had
his second number one hit-single in the U.S. of America.
The band’s 2nd album - Backlash - produced two big hits: "Straight To Your Heart” and: "Time Stood Still”, despite
the lack of a supportive video-clip as Bad English had already disbanded. The latter song reached our national top ten in 1992, being an ex-Veronica Alarm-disc.
John Waite’s short-lived collaboration with his Dutch friend Adje van den Berg didn’t leave any musical expressions
for generations to come - what a pity that is!
In 2001 John Waite and his former palls from Bad English (now being the super group Journey) were on tour through
the U.S. of America.
There was silent hope that he, together with Jonathan Cain, Neal Schon and Dean Castronova (all former members
of The Babys and Bad English) would ever record together again - certainly now they were hanging around friendly
again with each other.
However, John Waite prefers to proceed his successful career as solo artist.
Anyway, with his 2008 glorious solo album Downtown Journey Of A Heart (Frontiers records) John Waite got back in
the forefront - a position which he, considering his service record, fully deserved.
The album Downtown Journey Of A Heart (2008) includes a newly sung - breathtaking - performance of The
Babys’ classic "Isn’t It Time”, a wonderful version of "Missing You” - sung in duet with Alison Krauss - and a