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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZBABYS, TheUK pop group formed '76. Lineup: John Waite (b 4 July '55, London), bass, vocals; Wally Stocker (b 27 March '54, London), guitar; Mike Corby (b 3 July '55, London), keyboards, guitar; Tony Brock (b 31 March '54, Bournemouth), drums. Demonstrated media awareness by circulating video (dir. by Mike Mansfield) instead of demo tape; teen appeal confirmed by teenybop adulation at Spring '77 NYC concert debut. First LP Babys '76 prod. by American Bob Ezrin; after success of next LP Broken Heart, single "Isn't It Time' (USA no. 13, '77) concentrated on USA, UK remaining apathetic; tailored-for-radio pop and cute image scored in USA, where media hype continued: the band was "kidnapped', manager called in FBI to rescue them. Added bass Ricky Phillips for third album Head First '78, so Waite could concentrate on his stage moves; Jonathan Cain then replaced Corby. More USA hits: "Every Time I Think Of You' (no. 13 '79), "Back On My Feet Again' (no. 33 '80), but formula wore thin; after Union Jacks and On The Edge '80 they split '81. Waite's dalliance with Britt Ekland drew more headlines than musical career for a while; solo effort Ignition (made with Patti Smith and friends) was false start; better luck with No Brakes '84, Police-derived "Missing You' (USA no. 1/UK 9), "Tears' (USA top 40), Mask Of Smiles '85. He formed Bad English '89 with Phillips, Cain and members of Journey for chart albums Bad English '89, Backlash '91. |