News-Blog
US-STAR AUS ENGLAND: JOHN WAITE WURDE 70
- Jul 08, 2022
Auch wenn man über sie heute kaum noch spricht, waren The Babys Ende der 70er Jahre eine ganz große Nummer. Sie mischten Pop, Hard Rock und Soul und wurden so zu Miterfindern jener Richtung, mit der man in den Achtzigern zwischen Pop und hartem Rock pendelnde Stile bezeichnete: Power Pop. 1975 gegründet, gehörte Waite den Babys bis zu deren Trennung 1981 als Lead-Sänger an. Die Band feierte trotz guter Album-Platzierungen in ihrer Heimat vor allem in den USA große Erfolge. "Isn't It Time" (1977) und "Every Time I Think Of You" (1978, beide USA #13) waren ihre größten Hits. In Deutschland spielte die Band keine Rolle. Auch als Einzelkämpfer - John Waite startete seine Solo-Karriere 1982 - blieb der außergewöhnliche Sänger hierzulande eine Randerscheinung. Lediglich "Missing You" (1984) platzierte sich mit #13 in den Single-Charts ganz gut (USA #1, UK #9). Zwar kam er in der Folge in den USA nur noch selten in die Top 50, verkaufte insgesamt aber ziemlich gut, weshalb er dort bis in die Neuzeit ein gefragter Live-Künstler blieb. Derzeit ist er gerade auf Tour in den USA. Am 4. Juli wird der Sänger 70 Jahre alt.
Even though they are hardly ever talked about today, The Babys were a big deal at the end of the 70s. They mixed Pop, Hard Rock and Soul and thus became co-inventors of a style that oscillated between Pop and Hard Rock in the eighties: Power Pop. Founded in 1975, Waite was the lead singer of the Babys until their split in 1981. Despite good album placements in their home country, the band enjoyed great success especially in the United States. "Isn't It Time" (1977) and "Every Time I Think Of You" (1978, both USA #13) were their biggest hits. In Germany the band played no role. Even as a lone fighter - John Waite started his solo career in 1982 - the extraordinary singer remained a marginal phenomenon in Germany. Only "Missing You" (1984) placed quite well in the German single charts with #13 (USA #1, UK #9). Although he only rarely reached the Top 50 in the USA, he sold quite well overall, which is why he remained a sought-after live artist there until modern times. He is currently on tour in the USA. On July 4, the singer turns 70 years old.
Even though they are hardly ever talked about today, The Babys were a big deal at the end of the 70s. They mixed Pop, Hard Rock and Soul and thus became co-inventors of a style that oscillated between Pop and Hard Rock in the eighties: Power Pop. Founded in 1975, Waite was the lead singer of the Babys until their split in 1981. Despite good album placements in their home country, the band enjoyed great success especially in the United States. "Isn't It Time" (1977) and "Every Time I Think Of You" (1978, both USA #13) were their biggest hits. In Germany the band played no role. Even as a lone fighter - John Waite started his solo career in 1982 - the extraordinary singer remained a marginal phenomenon in Germany. Only "Missing You" (1984) placed quite well in the German single charts with #13 (USA #1, UK #9). Although he only rarely reached the Top 50 in the USA, he sold quite well overall, which is why he remained a sought-after live artist there until modern times. He is currently on tour in the USA. On July 4, the singer turns 70 years old.
