The Babys Schedule Comeback Show
Sunday, July 7, 2013 at 12:02AM I receive about 300 press releases a week. This one caught my eye. A little bit different from what we usually discuss here, but I know some of you are big fans of The Babys. Here's the release:
One of the world’s most beloved classic-rock bands - the Babys - are back together with a comeback show scheduled for July 18 at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills, Calif., and there are plans for a new CD and extensive tour through America and Europe.
The British group made a massive impact back in the 1970s with hits such as “Isn’t it Time,” “Head First,” “Midnight Rendez-Vous,” “Every Time I Think of You” and “Back on My Feet Again.” Original guitarist Wally Stocker and original drummer Tony Brock are back, and the Babys have found an incredible new singer in John Bisaha, who sounds just like John Waite, who is not participating but has given his blessing.
The new Babys have instant credibility with a new song, the aptly named “Not Ready to Say Goodbye,” which has all the classic Babys elements – amazing vocals, thoughtful lyrics and a chorus that lodges itself on your brain and refuses to leave for days; the song can be found on the band’s web site – babysofficial.com – and there is already an instant buzz.
“It’s very exciting. I’m really pleased with the new lineup,” Stocker said. “These songs bring back a lot of good memories.”
Through the years, Brock and Stocker went on to play with such acts as Rod Stewart, Jeff Beck and Air Supply, and both are thrilled with the reformation and particularly the addition of Bisaha, a renowned studio singer who first has made his mark in theatre and is now ready to make a worldwide impact.
How Bisaha is not already a huge star is one of Rock’s great mysteries, but the instant you hear his voice it’s clear the Californian is a worthy replacement for Waite, who would go on to chart-topping success as a solo artist with “Missing You” and as a member of supergroup Bad English with “When I See You Smile.”
“I’m telling you, it sounds like the original band. It’s fantastic,” Brock said. “The magic is still there. John Bisaha is going to get some pressure, but we hired him because he’s fantastic. It’s going to be
really good. I love his attitude, and he’s incredible. He’s a winner.”
The July 18 show at Canyon Club is a benefit, and proceeds benefit the Santa Clarita Food Pantry charity. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster – while they last.
Several record companies and booking agencies are bidding for involvement, as the reformation of the Babys is among the biggest stories in rock in 2013.
Former Babys keyboardist Jonathan Cain cannot be a full-time member because he is in Journey, of course, but the man who would go on to write “Don’t Stop Believing” – the most downloaded song in history – has vowed to sit in when he can, and Cain, still a great friend to Brock and Stocker, even helped choose Bisaha over other finalists for the lead-singer spot.
“I think the possibility of catching on is endless,” Bisaha said. “We’re just getting ripe but it’s great from a nostalgia point of view just to see and hear the Babys again.”
The Babys, originally signed to Chrysalis in what was purported to be one of the most lucrative record deals of all-time, released five studios albums including classics “Broken Heart,” “Head First” and
“Union Jacks” plus a greatest-hits package called “Anthology.” Their radio hits continue to be played every day throughout the world.
“I would love to think we have one more album in us. A lot of people still hold us in high regard,” Brock said. “It’s not like we’re starting a new band, not from scratch. We have a cult following, and every one of us are great players, and we’re still alive after all these years.”
The Babys feature a second guitarist named J.P. Cervoni plus two female backup singers. The band is just getting re-started, and more official news is expected soon. You can check out the Babys at thebabysofficial.com.
Reader Comments (14)
Here's what we're missing without those two:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jomvucEfbdo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-cBX52Qg4o
Still, considering Waite and John Cain have given their blessing, I look forward to seeing the NEW Babys!
p.s. The other Baby who will be missed is the late Adrian Millar (RIP), who is the other original founding member, aside from Corby.
Former Babys keyboardist/guitarist Michael Corby has added a series of sensational Facebook Blog posts to his page, dishing up previously unknown details behind an attempt to get The Babys back together in the mid-part of the last decade.
His first post - under the heading The Babys - Reunion Attempt 2003-2007; Corby posted the letter he originally wrote to singer John Waite, attempting to get a reunion rolling. Waite denied ever getting the letter:
"For those who never saw the story regarding The Babys reunion attempt, details of which were posted in 2008 after John Waite refused to acknowledge that he had ever received the letter which follows a short introduction here. A few months ago John finally admitted ihe had received it but refused to open it. This was after lying about it over and over again. He now formally claimed, in his delusional mind, that he thought it was a letter from me trying to get free tickets to attend a Country Music concert with his ex-fiancée, Alison Krauss in London, England."
Post: www.facebook.com/notes/michael-corby/the-babys-reunion-attempt-2003-2007/494569077263973.
It gets better with Corby's second post, describing a plan he hatched to bring in Glenn Hughes to replace Waite, as the band expected the notoriously difficult singer to bail:
"Now, there was a 'Plan B' to all this. It was a guy on standby in case Waite was still as idiotic and impossible to deal with as he was back in 78. So, enter one Glenn Hughes, an old acquaintance of mine. If Waite wasn't going to do it I fancied replacing him with a guy who can out-sing him a thousand times over and can play a bass like a god instead of like a complete 4th rate amateur, at best... and let's not delude ourselves here, I'm being generous to Waite. Musically speaking, he can barely play a note and has no real right to refer to himself as a musician. This, Plan B would give The Babys the finest rhythm section in the world. The heritage of an ex-Deep Purple player was also a great mix with the rest of us."
Full post (and worth a read): www.facebook.com/notes/michael-corby/the-final-reasons-for-the-babys-2003-2007-reunion-failure/494749673912580.
I've also continued to support Waite on his own. I consider him one of the best vocalists in rock. I will say that in the last few years, John has seemed to deviate in his vocal delivery's pentameter. Like in this video I shot in a tiny club in 2011. Enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLMaz_5-4Z4
Granted, Corby sounds like a bit of a nutter but I've heard Waite is no prince either. Still, I agree with Ace -- Waite's got a helluva voice -- just check out those links I included above. Still, why, oh, why can't these characters put it all back together!
Vinnie.. LA/NYC 2013.
Aren't you that old dude that runs the John Waite fansite? Yeah, yeah - you were in a band with JW before he was hired by Corby and Adrian Millar for the Babys, right?
Do you and JW have a "special" relationship, such as the kind that JW had with the execs at Chrysalis? Yeah, the same execs who, in concert with JW, made the illegal ousting of Adrian Millar, and later Corby, possible.
Also, it might serve JW, LLC to remember that he auditioned as a bassist and was hired because he kind of had the image, not for his monster bass playing. Corby hired JW against Millar's advice as well. It wasn't until later at a rehearsal that JW mentioned that he might be able to handle lead vocals.
Anyone with ears would conclude that the Babys' greatest achievement was Broken Heart. As much as JW and Ron Nevison like to take credit, neither has come even close to creating anything close to it ever since. Why is that? Is it possible that Corby, who played 18 different instruments on the album and cowrote half of the songs, might have something to do with it?
Basically, JW (in concert with the Chrysalis execs) illegally hijacked the Babys and wrecked the lives of Corby and Millar (and many others) in order to advance his own career. To this day, Corby has signed legal docs showing that he has sole ownership of the name, while the rest of the original members also claim ownership w/o anything to back it up.
After 35 years, the other org members (and certain fans like yourself) continue to slam Corby publicly, and then suggest that he move on? I dunno, if I were in Mike's shoes, I would be cleaning the gun by now, but his handling of the affairs is indicative of Corby's class, patience, and overall character. He even extended the olive branch by trying to piece together a reunion of the org members a few years ago, only to be humiliated again by having his gesture treated with contempt by JW.
Consider: Waite sided with the record company gentlemen (how many artists do THAT)? and he and the other two suddenly "fired" Corby for, as I understand it, attempting to open an audit of said company to SAVE THE BAND MONEY.
Here we have Corby, an arrestingly handsome, multi-talented, fan-favorite of the band who had just married and had a child -- a brand-new family. All of this arrived on the heels of the success of "Broken Heart." Double success for Michael. Waite surely must have been under some pressure to stand out/be a real "front man" to remain...interesting.
I certainly can't speak for the intricacies of their relationship, but I believe they had known each other since at least 1974, when they got together to seal the cement to the structure and lyrics to Corby's "I'm Falling," one of the finest works of music I've ever heard. Now, If I were the lead singer of a band but had a gorgeous, knock-out, talented, fan-favorite female guitarist and keyboardist, I'd be very restless and envious after four years. Michael Corby ate up all the scenery, and maybe to Waite, it didn't look so bad, either. Double quandary for John.
Look, I was just a 13-year-old girl whose ears were primed enough even then to recognize great classic rock when I heard it, with the release of "Broken Heart," which I still have.
But this issue is personal to many the world over -- and I'm just one person in America. So from a fan's perspective, this is how I've always seen it: Very few people have a certain presence or spark that resonates with and personally affects people positively -- that "indefinable 'it' factor" -- and are also courteous, determined, and principled. Michael Corby has those qualities. And when he founded that band, his creative contributions (the sound, the instrumentation) and his personal magnetism certainly helped put them on the world map.
When he left, the sound, the energy, and their top-drawing 'fan magnet' was gone as well. I think it's a very simple construct, but after all these years, I've grown tired enough of the back-and-forth that I felt compelled to state what has always seemed quite apparent to me.
I remain a tremendous enthusiast of The Babys pre-Corby's departure, and I swear upon my soul (which I cherish) that I do not know or have any contact with Mr. Corby whatsoever (though I would cherish that nearly as much; I am nothing if not honest)!
In hopes of understanding, good will, cheers and best wishes to all.
One particular incident described to me was regarding Corby's wedding ceremony (with his then bride, Evita). Walt Stocker was the Best Man, while Waite, who showed up uninvited and sat in the back church pew with his feet propped up on the pew in front of him, proceeded to pipe up when the pastor asked those in attendance to "speak now or forever hold your peace." Allegedly, Waite said, "I can't believe someone would marry that cunt" (paraphrase). Waite also went to the reception afterwards and, as Corby puts it, is seen in pictures having a very good time.
Two weeks later, Corby was out of the band. Corby also claims (with a member of the band's crew as a sworn witness) that Waite then had financial support ceased for Mrs. Corby while she was in the hospital recovering from a particularly complicated Caesarean operation. The Corby's could not afford the after-care, and as a result, Mrs. Corby spent the next 15 years practically bed-ridden because of the damage the untreated complications had eventually caused. According Corby's witness, Waite said, "we're not taking care of his [Corby's] girl and his brat."
Believe it or not, there is more...
In regards to Corby being "fired" or "ousted," I found the following information to be interesting. A strong reason for the sacking was that Corby was unhappy with the financial arrangements surrounding the band and that some members of the road crew were not being remunerated.
MICHAEL CORBY: “I began to hear of complaints being made by the roadies that they were not being paid, and I certainly did not want The Babys to acquire any kind of dubious reputation. So this was about the time I began to ask questions. I was about to become a father, and I felt that the responsibility of having a family was a heavy one. In other words, if things were going on, as they were, I wanted to know and to be involved in doing something about them. To compound these matters, I was completely shocked when they played us the rough mixes of Head First and heard songs that I’d never been part of. Certainly, I can say the same feelings were had with Walt and Tony.”
According to Corby, he received the proverbial green light from the other band members on Friday, August 25th, 1978, to have their attorneys move forward with a financial audit of Chrysalis records.
According to Corby, around this time Waite had been getting all dolled up to attend private dinners (Waite's girlfriend [later, his wife] at the time was uninvited) at the home Chrysalis records President, Terry Ellis, where the two were allegedly having an homosexual affair.
By the following Monday, Corby was out of the band.
EVITA CORBY: “I believe they lured him out under the auspice of a ‘photo-shoot’ because he spent a lot of time getting ready - makeup, jewelry, etc. On this particular day, I’d say he was ‘dressed-to-kill.’ The humility of being dolled up, only to have been led to the lions, getting booted from ‘His’ band, was all too much for him to handle, and in my opinion…it ruined him. It’s sad when I think back to fans in the audience holding signs that read: ‘WE LOVE YOU MICHAEL.’ He really was a beautiful man. I also think that jealousy played a significant role in his firing. In the end, Corby was ‘difficult’ and Waite was ‘easy,’ and record companies don’t want the ‘Heathcliffs.'”
MICHAEL CORBY: “In the morning I received a phone call requesting my presence for a meeting at the Lookout Management offices that afternoon. I called back, spoke to a secretary, and explained that I did not think I would be able to attend the meeting because I was tied up with my wife and new born son, my wife was in bed recovering from the birth, and I could not get a nurse until the evening. So I said that I would accept the decision made by the majority of the other three band members…At about 1:30 pm, Stone himself telephoned me and said that I absolutely had to attend the meeting because somebody might be getting fired. Ellis, Stone added, he’d heard the album and ‘there were problems.’ Stone said he would send a car for me. I replied that I did not think there were any problems, and that I could see no reason to fire anyone, not suspecting that the victim would be me… However, in view of Stone's insistence I did attend the meeting, arranged for 3:00 pm, although I arrived 10 or 15 minutes late (fashionably late). On arrival, I was shown into Roberts personal office at Lookout; present were Roberts, Stone, Waite, Brock, and Stocker. Roberts said words to this effect: ‘The problem is that Terry (Ellis) has heard the album and doesn't like it.’ I interposed that neither did I, but that I had not been allowed to give my opinion during recording, that part of the recording had been done without me, and that there were songs on the record I had not even heard. Roberts went on to say that, in effect, ‘Terry refuses to continue with the band unless he gets 3 basic things’: (1) Less songs on the album by John; (2) John only sings and does not place bass guitar; and (3) That I am removed from the band [period]. My rent was never paid again, and I was asked to quit my apartment at the end of September 1978. I received no more wages, and my medical and furniture bills also were not paid again. At the time of my dismissal, I had no legal Visa status.”
In several of his Facebook fanpage blogs, Corby insists that Waite had spilled the beans to Terry Ellis and Chrysalis regarding the audit, and that he was ousted from his own band because (1) he was a threat to Chrysalis and their questionable ethics regarding the payment of royalties due to the band; and (2) Waite desperately wanted to take control of the band, which could never happen while Corby was a member.
The late Adrian Millar gets the final word on the band's demise:
ADRIAN MILLAR: “The inherent built-in design fault that's always going to come back and trip you up, electrocute, or drown you in a cup of coffee was the fact that Mike Corby had all the looks and should have been the lead singer. The only problem here was that Mike didn't sing, and it just goes to show how a tiny little element can change everything. If Mike had been the one with 'the voice,' it would have balanced the status quo between him and John. Then, if you want to look at the bright side of things, we wouldn't have been forced into employing somebody like John Waite... A person who was so completely opposite of Mike Corby.”
Well, what an amiable nutter, thought I. 2 hours latter, I went back home and was recounting to my wife and daughter my meeting with this stranger. Their attention to my tale was, how do I say, well, as I am always meeting and talking to strange people, they were just listening to me going on. Then I thought, I know I'll 'google' him. Now in all our conversation he only told me his name was Michael Corby-Siddons & although eluding to being a musician, not once did he mention The Babys. So my search took a while. Eventually I shouted, "that's him" & my wife and daughter came over to look and for some unfathomable reason (yeah right) their interest in my chance encounter was ignited afresh.
One by one, all the things he had told me were being added to a 'mmm..that was true' tick list. So first off Mike, sorry for my scepticism. Then I took him up on his offer of popping round for a brew. We've met on a number of occasions now and in all instances he as been an amiable gentleman with the best behaved dog ever.
So what's my take on Mike? Well, i wasn't a fly on the wall during all the goings on I've since read about. I've no agenda what-so-ever. I've no ulterior motive in taking sides. I just know what I know. Mike Corby is a really nice guy. In fact having read about the things he has been through, not just the issues with The Babys, but in his family life as well, I am amazed that bitterness hasn't destroyed the guy. In fact I'd go as far to say, he's a really really nice guy to come through what he's come through and remain a decent bloke.
https://youtu.be/9jqruhCiwd0