John Waite Concert Tonight: The Babys, Solo Years, Bad English, New John Waite Video

Tonight I'm seeing John Waite at the historic Capital Theater in downtown Clearwater.    Located right near the Scientology headquarters is a cozy, movie theater/intimate concert venue where John Waite will be performing his greatest hits tonight.   One of the definitive rock music vocalists of the past 40 years, here's a timetable of some of his most memorable songs.

Late 70's   "BACK ON MY FEET"  The Babys

An underrated English pop-rock band known for their hits, "Isn't It Time", "Every Time I Think Of You", and "Midnight Rendezvous".   Keyboardist Jonathan Cain was in The Babys prior to joining Journey.  

1984   "MISSING YOU" - From No Brakes

The biggest hit of John's career, a epic #1 MTV smash, is one of the most played videos of all-time.   Tina Turner has covered it and even John recorded a haunting version with bluegrass master, Allison Krauss.   Love the smashing telephone scene in the video here!!

1985   "RESTLESS HEART" 

Possibly my favorite solo John Waite song, the follow-up to his signature song gets a full "mini-movie" music video treatment.  The scene at the bar where John's singing to the girl is perfect!   His simple facial expressions say more than words.

1988-1991   The Bad English Years  "POSSESSION" and "TIME ALONE WITH YOU"

John teams up with Journey's Neil Schon and re-enlists Jonathan Cain to form a 90's rock supergroup.   "Backlash" and "Bad English" were loaded with rock classics including the power ballads, "When I See You Smile" and "The Price Of Love".   Two of my other favorite tracks are the drum-driven "Don't Walk Away" and the Spanish guitar intro on "Time Stands Still"

1993   "IN DREAMS"   TRUE ROMANCE Soundtrack

Commercial success didn't follow John through the 90's until now but his solo CD's have been consistently filled with well-written songs and John's ability to effortlessly capture the song's emotional message.   "In Dreams" is pure poetry and the perfect addition to a Quentin Tarantino action/love story film. 

2012  "SHADOWS OF LOVE"  NEW JOHN WAITE!

Not content to tour as a nostalga act, John's 2012 CD, Rough & Tumble, is a worthy addition to his amazing rock discography.    Here's the new single:

Jimmy Page with Paul Rodgers Super Group: New Order, new John Waite, and The Firm

"CEREMONY"  NEW ORDER

Ian Curtis was the talented leader of Joy Division, a band that majorly influenced the New Wave sound of the 1980's.    But Ian was conflicted, dealing with depression, epilepsy, and just before reaching their highest musical moment, Ian committed suicide.   The film "Closer" vividly depicts Ian's life.  The band went on to rename itself, New Order and achieved the success Joy Division never reached.  "Blue Monday", "Bizarre Love Triangle", and "True Faith" all topped the charts.   But "Ceremony" was their first single, written by Ian before his death.  It's punk, electronica, dance music, and a haunting New Wave memory.

                              

"IF YOU EVER GET LONELY"   JOHN WAITE

John Waite, is back with a new CD "Rough and Ready" featuring a familiar retro sound, intelligent lyrics, and John's amazing voice.  John Waite was one of my first concerts on Halloween in Minneapolis.  His career has taken many turns including stints with The Babys, then going solo, fronting the underrated 80's band Bad English, and now back to his solo career.  He has that voice that can make almost anything sound good.   "If Ever" feels like Missing You Volume 2.

"SATISFACTION GUARANTEED"   THE  FIRM

Following the breakup of Led Zeppelin and Bad Company, you had two of the biggest rock stars on the planet looking for a creative outlook.   Guitar virtuoso, Jimmy Page, teamed up with Paul Rodgers for a Super Group collaboration that included the drummer from Manfred Mann.    The Firm didn't play Led Zeppelin or Bad Company songs, they stuck to their new material.    "Satisfaction Guaranteed" was the best of their singles.   The song has a slow building, sensual rock groove, that perfectly utilizes the talents of Page and Rodgers.