John Waite
John Waite is a quintessential rock vocalist whose powerful voice has anchored both legendary supergroups and a hugely successful solo career. From his early days with The Babys to the chart-topping heights of "Missing You" and Bad English, his musical journey is a fascinating tapestry of rock history. Dive in to explore the incredible longevity and impact of this enduring artist. John Waite achieved massive solo success with his iconic power ballad "Missing You," which topped the US Billboard Hot 100. He was a driving force behind two notable rock bands: The Babys, a British rock act, and Bad English, an American supergroup. Waite has maintained a prolific and respected career spanning decades, consistently releasing new music and performing across various musical landscapes.
AI Summary
John Waite is a quintessential rock vocalist whose powerful voice has anchored both legendary supergroups and a hugely successful solo career. From his early days with The Babys to the chart-topping heights of "Missing You" and Bad English, his musical journey is a fascinating tapestry of rock history. Dive in to explore the incredible longevity and impact of this enduring artist.
- John Waite achieved massive solo success with his iconic power ballad "Missing You," which topped the US Billboard Hot 100.
- He was a driving force behind two notable rock bands: The Babys, a British rock act, and Bad English, an American supergroup.
- Waite has maintained a prolific and respected career spanning decades, consistently releasing new music and performing across various musical landscapes.
The Journey Begins
Born on July 4, 1952, John Charles Waite hails from the historic city of Lancaster, Lancashire, England. His early years in this northern English county laid the foundation for a musical path that would eventually take him to global stages. It was here, attending Greaves Secondary Modern and Lancaster Art College, that the seeds of his artistic future were sown.
Fronting The Babys
Waite first burst onto the music scene as the charismatic lead singer and bassist for the British rock band, The Babys. Formed in London, the band quickly garnered attention for their dynamic sound and John's distinctive vocal delivery. They were poised to make a significant mark on the late 1970s rock landscape.
The Babys enjoyed considerable chart success, particularly in the United States. They scored two notable pop hits, "Isn't It Time" in 1977 and "Everytime I Think of You" in 1979, both peaking at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. Their energetic concert tours also cultivated a loyal and enthusiastic fanbase.
Over a five-year span, The Babys released five studio albums, showcasing their evolving rock sound. However, after their final album, 'On the Edge,' in October 1980, creative differences and the demands of the music industry led the group to disband. This pivotal moment opened the door for John Waite's next chapter.
Solo Flight: "Ignition"
Following The Babys' split, John Waite swiftly launched into his solo career, releasing his debut album 'Ignition' in 1982. This album introduced fans to his individual artistry, unconstrained by a band dynamic. It was a bold step, and it quickly yielded a breakout hit.
The single "Change" from 'Ignition' became an immediate sensation on Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) radio stations. Although it initially missed the Billboard Hot 100, its popularity soared thanks to heavy rotation on the nascent MTV channel. The song gained even wider recognition when reissued in 1985 as part of the platinum-selling 'Vision Quest' soundtrack, ultimately climbing into the Top 50 of the Hot 100.
In 1984, ahead of his next album's release, Waite made a guest appearance on three episodes of the TV series 'Paper Dolls.' These appearances notably featured two of his new songs, "Missing You" and "Tears." It was a subtle preview of the massive success that was just around the corner.
The Unforgettable "Missing You"
The year 1984 marked a monumental moment in John Waite's career with the release of his second solo album, 'No Brakes.' This album propelled him to international superstardom, largely due to a single track that would become his signature song. It was a heartfelt ballad that resonated deeply with audiences worldwide.
"Missing You" soared to No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, a remarkable achievement. In doing so, it famously dethroned Tina Turner's iconic hit "What's Love Got To Do With It?" Such was its impact that Turner herself later recorded and released her own version of Waite's smash song.
The track wasn't just a pop sensation; "Missing You" also topped Billboard's Album Rock Tracks chart and reached the Top 10 on the Adult Contemporary chart. The 'No Brakes' album itself sold over a million and a half copies in the US, cementing John Waite's status as a major solo artist, though surprisingly, it was never formally certified above RIAA Gold.
Building on this success, 'No Brakes' yielded another significant hit with the single "Tears." This track also performed strongly, reaching the Top 10 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. Waite's solo momentum continued with the 1985 album 'Mask of Smiles,' featuring the popular single "Every Step of the Way."
John Waite further expanded his reach through contributions to major film soundtracks. His song "If Anybody Had a Heart" appeared in the 1986 film 'About Last Night...' and "Deal for Life" was featured in the 1990 blockbuster 'Days of Thunder.' These placements introduced his music to even wider audiences, solidifying his presence in popular culture.
The Supergroup: Bad English
In 1988, John Waite united with former Babys bandmates Jonathan Cain and Ricky Phillips, alongside Journey's Neal Schon and Deen Castronovo, to form the formidable supergroup Bad English. This powerful combination of talent created a highly anticipated new force in rock music, blending hard rock with melodic sensibilities.
Bad English wasted no time in making their mark. Their ballad "When I See You Smile," penned by hitmaker Diane Warren, soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1989 and earned a Gold certification. The band's self-titled debut album also reached Billboard's Top Five, selling nearly two million copies in the US. Despite their success, tensions led to the group's dissolution by 1992 after just two albums.
An Enduring Solo Career
After the disbandment of Bad English, John Waite returned to his solo endeavors with renewed focus. He continued to release a steady stream of albums throughout the 1990s and 2000s, including 'Temple Bar' (1995), 'When You Were Mine' (1997), 'Figure in a Landscape' (2001), 'The Hard Way' (2004), 'Downtown: Journey of a Heart' (2007), and 'Rough & Tumble' (2011). His commitment to touring also remained strong, even joining Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band in 2003.
The enduring appeal of "Missing You" was highlighted in 2006 when Waite re-recorded it as a duet with the celebrated bluegrass and country artist Alison Krauss. This new rendition proved popular on the country charts, reaching the Top 40 in the United States. The duo even performed the song together on 'The Tonight Show' in early 2007, introducing it to a new generation of listeners.
John Waite's music continues to resonate in contemporary media, finding new life in popular culture. "Missing You" was prominently featured in the 2013 zombie romantic comedy film 'Warm Bodies,' showcasing its timeless emotional power. His earlier hit "Change" also made an appearance on the soundtrack of the widely popular 2013 film 'Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.'
Copyright Battles
In a significant development for artist rights, Waite, along with Joe Ely, filed a class-action lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) in 2019. They claimed the company had violated their right to terminate copyright grants, seeking to regain control of their master recordings. However, in January 2023, a federal judge ruled that Waite and other artists could not join forces in a class-action suit, citing complex legal questions about fairness and suitability for such litigation.
Beyond the Music
John Waite's rich career and personal story were chronicled in the 2022 biographical documentary 'John Waite: The Hard Way.' This film offered fans a deeper look into the life and experiences of the seasoned rock icon. Today, Waite resides in Santa Monica, California, having previously called New York City home, continuing his musical journey from the West Coast.
A Full Discography
John Waite's extensive discography showcases his consistent output and evolving artistry across several decades. From his early solo efforts to his more recent works, each album tells a part of his musical story. Here's a look at his studio albums and their chart performance.
Studio Albums
Year Album details UK AUS SWE US Certifications 1982 Ignition — — — 68 1984 No Brakes 64 27 — 10 1985 Mask of Smiles — — — 36 1987 Rover's Return — 99 30 77 1995 Temple Bar — — — — 1997 When You Were Mine — — — — 2001 Figure in a Landscape — — — — 2004 The Hard Way — — — — 2007 Downtown: Journey of a Heart — — — — 2011 Rough & Tumble — — — —
Live Albums
Beyond his studio recordings, John Waite has also captured the raw energy of his live performances. These live albums offer a glimpse into the power and passion he brings to the stage, a testament to his enduring presence as a touring artist.
Year Album Label 2001 Live & Rare Tracks One Way 2010 In Real Time Frontiers Records 2013 Live – All Access No Brakes Records
Compilations and EPs
His career has also been celebrated with several compilation albums, bringing together his greatest hits and fan favorites. More recently, Waite has explored acoustic arrangements through his 'Wooden Heart' EPs, showcasing a different side of his musical depth.
Year Album Label 1992 The Essential John Waite Chrysalis 1996 Complete Capitol 2014 Best No Brakes Records 2017 Wooden Heart – Acoustic Anthology, Volume 2 No Brakes Records
Year Album Label 2014 Wooden Heart – Acoustic, Volume 1 – EP No Brakes Records 2022 Anything - EP No Breaks Records
Singles
The heart of John Waite's chart success lies in his memorable singles, each telling a story and leaving a lasting impression. From powerful rock anthems to heartfelt ballads, his singles have graced charts across the globe.
Year Single UK AUS CAN NZ SWI US US Main US AC US Dance US Country Certifications Album 1982 "Change" — — — — — — 16 — — — Ignition "Going to the Top" — — — — — — — — — — 1984 "Missing You" 9 5 1 18 12 1 1 7 27 — No Brakes "Tears" — — 45 — — 37 8 — — — "Dark Side of the Sun" — — — — — — — — — — 1985 "Restless Heart" — — — — — 59 28 — — — "Change" (re-release) — — — — — 54 — — — — Vision Quest (soundtrack) "Every Step of the Way" 160 — 39 — — 25 4 — — — Mask of Smiles "Welcome to Paradise" — — — — — 85 — — — — 1986 "If Anybody Had a Heart" — — — — — 76 24 — — — About Last Night... (soundtrack) 1987 "These Times Are Hard for Lovers" 77 59 — — — 53 6 — — — Rover's Return "Don't Lose Any Sleep" — — — — — 81 — — — — 1990 "Deal for Life" 80 — — — — — — — — — Days of Thunder 1993 "In Dreams" — — — — — 103 — — — — True Romance (soundtrack) "Missing You" (re-entry) 56 — — — — — — — — — The Essential John Waite 1995 "How Did I Get By Without You?" — — — — — 89 — 20 — — Temple Bar 2001 "Fly" — — — — — — — 27 — — Figure in a Landscape 2005 "New York City Girl" — — — — — — — 23 — — The Hard Way 2006 "Missing You" (with Alison Krauss) — — — — — — — — — 34 Downtown: Journey of a Heart 2011 "Shadows of Love" — — — — — — — — — — Rough & Tumble "If You Ever Get Lonely" — — — — — — — — — —
Article
John Waite
John Charles Waite (born 4 July 1952) is an English rock musician. As a solo artist, he has released ten studio albums and is best known for the 1984 hit single "Missing You", which reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and the top ten on the UK singles chart. He was also the lead vocalist for the rock bands the Babys and Bad English.
Early life and education
John Waite
Waite was born and raised in Lancaster, Lancashire, and was educated at Greaves Secondary Modern and Lancaster Art College (The Storey Institute).
Career
John Waite
Waite at soundcheck before the 2011 Surf and Song Festival
The Babys
As a performer, Waite first came to attention as the lead singer and bassist of the Babys, a British rock band that had moderate chart success. The band achieved two pop hits that each peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, "Isn't It Time" (1977) and "Everytime I Think of You" (1979), and a solid following of their concert tours. Over the course of five years, the band produced five albums ending with the final album On the Edge in October 1980, after which the group disbanded.
Solo work
Waite subsequently launched his solo career with his 1982 debut album Ignition, which produced the hit single "Change". The Chrysalis 45 failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 during its initial release (May 1982) but was a top track on AOR radio stations, as well as a very popular music video on MTV as the 'new' cable channel celebrated its first full year of operation. The song was originally recorded in 1981 (with slightly different lyrics) by the American rock band Spider (which featured Amanda Blue, Holly Knight, and Anton Fig) and in 1985 was included on the platinum-selling Vision Quest soundtrack. When the single was reissued, it reached the Top 60 on the Hot 100. "Going to the Top" was released as the original follow-up single to "Change".
In 1984, Waite guest-starred on three episodes of the TV series Paper Dolls. The shows featured his songs "Missing You" and "Tears".
Waite's next album, No Brakes, resulted in international success. It was a Top 10 Billboard album in the US due to the smash hit "Missing You" which went to No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. It knocked Tina Turner's "What's Love Got To Do With It?" out of No. 1. For that very reason, Turner later recorded and released Waite's smash song herself. (Turner's single peaked at No. 84 on Billboard's Hot 100 in 1996). "Missing You" also hit No. 1 on Billboard's Album Rock Tracks as well as the Top 10 of Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart. No Brakes sold over a million and a half US copies, yet has never been certified above the RIAA Gold standard (a record company must apply to the RIAA for such certification). Two more singles from No Brakes followed, including "Tears" which was a Top 10 hit on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.
The next album Mask of Smiles followed in 1985, featuring the hit single "Every Step of the Way". Another single, "If Anybody Had a Heart", was released from the soundtrack of the 1986 film About Last Night.... In 1987, Rover's Return was released with the single "These Times Are Hard for Lovers". Waite would have another soundtrack appearance in 1990 from Days of Thunder with "Deal for Life".
Bad English
In 1988, Waite joined former Babys bandmates Jonathan Cain and Ricky Phillips, along with Neal Schon and drummer Deen Castronovo from Journey, to form the supergroup Bad English. In 1989, the Bad English ballad "When I See You Smile" (penned by Diane Warren) went to No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 and earned a Gold-certified single. Its parent album reached Billboard's Top Five and sold nearly two million copies in the United States alone. Bad English released two albums before tensions amongst the members led to the band's dissolution by 1992.
Return to solo work
Waite then returned to solo work. He released the album Temple Bar (1995), When You Were Mine (1997), Figure in a Landscape (2001), The Hard Way (2004), Downtown: Journey of a Heart (2007) and Rough & Tumble (2011). He has continued to tour, such as in 2003 with Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band.
In 2006, "Missing You" was released as a duet with Alison Krauss and reached the Top 40 on the Country Charts in the United States. Waite appeared with Krauss on The Tonight Show on 5 February 2007 to perform the song. Waite's songs have reappeared in other media as well: 2013 saw "Missing You" featured heavily in the movie Warm Bodies, and "Change" is on the soundtrack of the US movie Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.
Copyright lawsuit
On 5 February 2019, Waite and Joe Ely filed a class-action lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) claiming the company had violated their right to terminate grants of copyright. On 3 May 2019, UMG filed a motion to dismiss the case. In January 2023, a federal judge ruled that Waite and hundreds of other artists could not join forces to sue UMG to regain control of their masters, saying the case raised big questions about “fairness” but that it was ill-suited for class-action litigation. Waite's lawsuit was settled in March 2024.
Documentary
Waite was the subject of 2022 biographical documentary John Waite: The Hard Way.
Personal life
John Waite
Waite has lived in Santa Monica, California since 2014. He previously lived in New York City.
Discography
Studio albums
<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Album details</th><th>Peak chart positions</th><th>Certifications (sales threshold)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>UK</td><td>AUS</td><td>SWE</td><td>US</td></tr><tr><td>1982</td><td>Ignition</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>68</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1984</td><td>No Brakes</td><td>64</td><td>27</td><td>—</td><td>10</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1985</td><td>Mask of Smiles</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>36</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1987</td><td>Rover's Return</td><td>—</td><td>99</td><td>30</td><td>77</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1995</td><td>Temple Bar</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1997</td><td>When You Were Mine</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2001</td><td>Figure in a Landscape</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2004</td><td>The Hard Way</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2007</td><td>Downtown: Journey of a Heart</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2011</td><td>Rough & Tumble</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>"—" denotes releases that did not chart</td></tr></tbody></table>
Live albums
<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Album</th><th>Label</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2001</td><td>Live & Rare Tracks</td><td>One Way</td></tr><tr><td>2010</td><td>In Real Time</td><td>Frontiers Records</td></tr><tr><td>2013</td><td>Live – All Access</td><td>No Brakes Records</td></tr></tbody></table>
Compilation albums
<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Album</th><th>Label</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1992</td><td>The Essential John Waite</td><td>Chrysalis</td></tr><tr><td>1996</td><td>Complete</td><td>Capitol</td></tr><tr><td>2014</td><td>Best</td><td>No Brakes Records</td></tr><tr><td>2017</td><td>Wooden Heart – Acoustic Anthology, Volume 2</td><td>No Brakes Records</td></tr></tbody></table>
EPs
<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Album</th><th>Label</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2014</td><td>Wooden Heart – Acoustic, Volume 1 – EP</td><td>No Brakes Records</td></tr><tr><td>2022</td><td>Anything - EP</td><td>No Breaks Records</td></tr></tbody></table>
Singles
<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Single</th><th>Peak chart positions</th><th>Certifications</th><th>Album</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>UK</td><td>AUS</td><td>CAN</td><td>NZ</td><td>SWI</td><td>US</td><td>US Main</td><td>US AC</td><td>US Dance</td><td>US Country</td></tr><tr><td>1982</td><td>"Change"</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>16</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td></td><td>Ignition</td></tr><tr><td>"Going to the Top"</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1984</td><td>"Missing You"</td><td>9</td><td>5</td><td>1</td><td>18</td><td>12</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>7</td><td>27</td><td>—</td><td></td><td>No Brakes</td></tr><tr><td>"Tears"</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>45</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>37</td><td>8</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>"Dark Side of the Sun"</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1985</td><td>"Restless Heart"</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>59</td><td>28</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>"Change" (re-release)</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>54</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td></td><td>Vision Quest (soundtrack)</td></tr><tr><td>"Every Step of the Way"</td><td>160</td><td>—</td><td>39</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>25</td><td>4</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td></td><td>Mask of Smiles</td></tr><tr><td>"Welcome to Paradise"</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>85</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1986</td><td>"If Anybody Had a Heart"</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>76</td><td>24</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td></td><td>About Last Night... (soundtrack)</td></tr><tr><td>1987</td><td>"These Times Are Hard for Lovers"</td><td>77</td><td>59</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>53</td><td>6</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td></td><td>Rover's Return</td></tr><tr><td>"Don't Lose Any Sleep"</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>81</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1990</td><td>"Deal for Life"</td><td>80</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td></td><td>Days of Thunder</td></tr><tr><td>1993</td><td>"In Dreams"</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>103</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td></td><td>True Romance (soundtrack)</td></tr><tr><td>"Missing You" (re-entry)</td><td>56</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td></td><td>The Essential John Waite</td></tr><tr><td>1995</td><td>"How Did I Get By Without You?"</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>89</td><td>—</td><td>20</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td></td><td>Temple Bar</td></tr><tr><td>2001</td><td>"Fly"</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>27</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td></td><td>Figure in a Landscape</td></tr><tr><td>2005</td><td>"New York City Girl"</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>23</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td></td><td>The Hard Way</td></tr><tr><td>2006</td><td>"Missing You" (with Alison Krauss)</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>34</td><td></td><td>Downtown: Journey of a Heart</td></tr><tr><td>2011</td><td>"Shadows of Love"</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td></td><td>Rough & Tumble</td></tr><tr><td>"If You Ever Get Lonely"</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>"—" denotes releases that did not chart</td></tr></tbody></table>