The Babys

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"Babys" redirects here. For other meanings of "babys" or "babies", see Baby (disambiguation).

The Babys were a popular British rock group of the late 1970s.

Contents

[edit] Origin

There are multiple stories regarding the origin of the band and the source of the band's name. Vocalist/bassist John Waite states that he met guitarist/keyboardist Mike Corby in an East End pub and formed the initial plans for the band during an all-night drinking binge. Waite also claims credit for the band's name, stating that the unusual spelling is because he is a, "lousy speller." [1] In a 1979 Hit Parader magazine interview, Waite stated,

[T]he name was meant to be a joke. We took the name simply because the record companies wouldn't listen to any bands they thought were rock & roll. I mean, they wanted sure-fire teen bands, pre-teen bands. We couldn't get anybody down to hear us to get a record deal, so we called ourselves The Babys. We thought we'd keep the name just for two weeks. Then, the word got around in London that there was a band playing rock & roll called The Babys and it seemed so off the wall, so completely crazy, that it was worth taking a shot with. It really appealed to everyone's sense of humor. [2]

However, founding member Mike Corby places the origin of the idea for the band at Smalls Café on the Fulham Road in London in 1973 during a chance meeting with manager Adrian Millar. An agreement was signed between Corby and Millar on September 4, 1974 and auditions were held to fill out the remaining members. [3]. According to Corby, the band's name was chosen to give them a greater chance of a recording contract as they felt companies were leaning towards the teen market. The names "Cry Babys" and "Big Babys" were also proposed with Millar ultimately deciding on "The Babys."

Regardless of the origins, the original Baby's lineup was: vocalist/bassist John Waite, drummer Tony Brock, Keyboard player/guitarist Michael Corby and guitarist Wally Stocker.

With the band's initial demo tapes (and cute teen image) receiving little interest from record companies, the band decided to make a video demo because, according to Waite, "The only way we could prove that it was us playing on our tape was with a video presentation." Mike Mansfield produced the tape and Chrysalis Records signed the band in 1976. [4]

[edit] Career

The Babys eponymous first album (highlighted by the single 'If You've Got The Time') was recorded in Toronto, Canada with producers Brian Christian and Bob Ezrin and released in January 1977. The album featured music and lyrics that were melodic and sensitive but some critics felt the teen-friendly packaging may have affected the group's appeal to wider audiences. The overall result was that the Babys seemed to live in the shadow of other Chrysalis artists Blondie and Pat Benatar. Millar and Corby were also unhappy with production on the first album.

The Babys second album, "Broken Heart", (released in September of 1977) produced a top 20 U.S. hit "Isn't it Time", which peaked at #13, and they continued to tour the U.S. successfully with the Babettes who included singers from Andrae Crouch and the disciples Lisa Freeman Roberts, Myrna Matthews and Pat Henderson. The album spent two weeks at number one in Australia but did not produce another top 40 single.

Disputes with Chrysalis management resulted in the firing of original manager Millar in 1978. While recording their third album, a disagreement between Mike Corby and the other members over the musical direction of the group resulted in Corby leaving the band he formed following a management meeting in August 1978.

Despite the band's internal turmoil, the remaining three members completed their third album, "Head First" (released in December 1978). Early in 1979, the band's best-remembered single, "Everytime I Think of You," reached the top 20 in the United States (peaking at #13)and top 10 in Australia. In order to promote the album in live performance, keyboardist/guitarist Jonathan Cain replaced Corby, and bassist Ricky Phillips (of "Nasty Habit") joined in 1979, making the band a 5-piece.

The band's fourth album "Union Jacks" (released in January 1980) had a more punchy sound similar to fellow label-mate Pat Benatar with the single "Back On My Feet Again" spending a very short time in the top 40. During an extensive tour in 1980, The Babys opened for the supergroup 'Journey.'

The band's fifth and final album, "On the Edge" was made during the 1980 tour and released in October 1980. The single "Turn and Walk Away" only reached the top 100.

[edit] Breakup

During a performance in Cincinatti, OH on December 9, 1980 (the day after John Lennon had been murdered), John Waite was pulled from the stage by an overzealous fan during an encore and seriously injured his knee. Following a subsequent final performance by the group in Akron, OH, the remainder of the tour was cancelled. The group disbanded following the tour.

Although different members of the group have given various reasons for the band's demise, the general issue seems to have been dissillusionment that the group never really achieved the success they felt they deserved given the quality of their albums and live shows. Waite later mused, "We were better than people thought we were." [5] The band's marketing image as a teen pop band (reinforced by their name) was also out of sync with the twin and opposing styles dominating the popular music of the time: punk and disco.

John Waite, Ricky Phillips and Jonathan Cain later played together in Bad English. Cain went on to enjoy great success with Journey. Tony Brock spent many years drumming for Rod Stewart, as well as drumming and co-producing for Jimmy Barnes and producing for Keith Urban. Wally Stocker went on to play guitar for Rod Stewart and Air Supply as well as a reformed version of Humble Pie in the 1990s.

Wally Stocker and Tony Brock have not worked with John Waite since the breakup and there have been no rumors of any kind of reunion for the 1979 lineup. And given the persistant acrimony surrounding Corby's departure from the group, there is also little chance of the original 1976 lineup ever getting together again.

A cover version of Everytime I Think of You reached number one in the Netherlands in October 2006 and featured Marco Borsato and Lucie Silvas.

Queen guitarist Brian May chose "Back on my Feet Again" as one of his Desert Island Discs.

[edit] Albums

  • The Babys (self-titled), 1976
  • Broken Heart, 1977
  • Head First, 1978
  • Union Jacks, 1980
  • On The Edge, 1980

[edit] Singles

  • 1976 "If You've Got the Time"
  • 1977 "Broken Heart"
  • 1977 "Isn't It Time"
  • 1978 "A Piece of the Action"
  • 1978 "I'm Falling"
  • 1979 "Everytime I Think of You"
  • 1979 "Love Don't Prove I'm Right" (Australia)
  • 1979 "White Lightning"
  • 1980 "Back on My Feet Again"
  • 1980 "Midnight Rendezvous"
  • 1980 "Turn and Walk Away"

[edit] Influences

[edit] Similar Artists

[edit] External links

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