The Babys Biography
Considerable attention attended the launch of this much-touted British rock group. John Waite (4 July 1952, Lancaster, Lancashire, England; vocals, bass), Mike Corby (b. 3 July 1955, London, England; guitar, keyboards), Walter "Wally" Stocker (b. 17 March 1954, London, England; guitar) and former Spontaneous Combustion and Strider member Tony Brock (b. 31 March 1954, Bournemouth, Dorset, England; drums) were promoted as the most promising newcomers of 1976, but while The Babys offered a competent blend of pop and rock, similar to that of the Raspberries, it lacked an identifiable sound and image. They were signed to Chrysalis Records on the strength of a video demo directed by Mike Mansfield - a rather unique sales pitch at the time. Obscured by the punk explosion, the quartet looked to the USA for commercial succour over the ensuing years. Jonathan Cain (b. 26 February 1950, Chicago, Illinois, USA) replaced Corby following the release of Head First, but although the Babys achieved considerable US success, including two Top 20 singles with "Isn't It Time" and "Every Time I Think Of You", they remained in the shadow of AOR stalwarts Fleetwood Mac, Foreigner and Journey. Ricky Phillips joined as bass player for their final two albums. Waite subsequently embarked on a high-profile solo career, before reuniting with Cain and Phillips in the late 80s "supergroup" Bad English.
Source: The Encyclopedia of Popular Music by Colin Larkin. Licensed from Muze.
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