The Babys
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1975 |
| Founder | Michael Corby, John Waite, Tony Brock, Wally Stocker |
| Headquarters | London , United Kingdom |
| Products | Rock music, albums, singles |
The Babys are a British rock ensemble recognized for their charting singles such as "Isn't It Time" and "Every Time I Think of You," both of which climbed to No. 13 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and reached No. 8 on the Cashbox charts during the late 1970s. Additionally, "Back on My Feet Again" secured a spot within the U.S. Top 40 in 1980. The founding members comprised keyboardist and guitarist Michael Corby, lead vocalist and bassist John Waite, drummer Tony Brock, and guitarist Wally Stocker.
Their signing with Chrysalis Records set a record for the most lucrative contract awarded to a new act at that period. The band's initial two studio releases, The Babys and Broken Heart, garnered favorable critical reception. Following their third album, Head First (1978), Jonathan Cain replaced Corby on keyboards, while Ricky Phillips assumed bass duties. From late 1978 until their dissolution in 1981, the lineup featured Waite, Brock, Phillips, Stocker, and Cain.
Origin and name
Mike Corby attributes the band's formation to a 1973 encounter at Smalls Café in London with Adrian Millar. A management agreement was finalized in September 1974, and throughout 1975 auditions were held to finalize the roster.
Among those auditioned were Paul Riordan and drummer Lucas Fox, who later joined Motörhead. Singer/guitarist Gordon Hawtin recommended John Waite, prompting his return from Cleveland, Ohio, to join the group. Tony Brock was selected as drummer over Fox due to his financial steadiness and opportunities; he had prior experience with Strider and Spontaneous Combustion. Brock introduced keyboardist/guitarist/bassist Matt Irving in late 1975; however, Corby briefly departed soon after. Guitarist Wally Stocker became part of the band in January 1976. After Corby's return, rehearsals commenced and ten demo tracks were recorded—these were later issued as The Babys in 1978 and re-released in 2006 under the title The Official Unofficial BABYS Album. Irving subsequently left to join Manfred Mann's Earth Band.
The band's name was proposed by Adrian Millar's girlfriend in late 1975; Corby preferred this spelling for its edgy connotation. John Waite later revealed that the name was initially conceived as a humorous tactic to attract attention from record labels focused on teenage audiences. This distinctive name helped create buzz within London's rock community.
Mike Mansfield produced music videos for Supersonic, which contributed to their signing with Chrysalis Records in July 1976.
Career
The Babys' self-titled debut album, including the single "If You've Got the Time," was recorded in Toronto, Ontario with producers Brian Christian and Bob Ezrin and released in December 1976. However, both Millar and Corby reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with its production quality and mixing.
In 1977, the band employed a 24-track mobile recording unit to capture sessions over six weeks at a Malibu ranch house, although the album credits Sound City studios in Southern California. Their sophomore album, Broken Heart, released in September 1977 and produced by Ron Nevison, yielded their first Top 20 hit in the U.S., "Isn't It Time," which peaked at No. 13 on Billboard charts. This record featured contributions from external songwriters like Jack Conrad and Ray Kennedy, signaling a departure from exclusively original compositions. Nevison's production highlighted Waite's vocal performance alongside Brock's drumming, Stocker's guitar work, and Corby's instrumental contributions. The album dominated Australian charts for two weeks and included the chart-topping single "Isn't It Time." The group toured extensively across the U.S., supported by The Babettes—backing vocalists associated with Andrae Crouch and the Disciples.
Following disagreements with Chrysalis management, original manager Adrian Millar was dismissed in 1977; subsequently, Corby was fired on August 28, 1978, after conflicts involving Waite and new management personnel.
Chrysalis reunited the band with producer Ron Nevison for Head First, which was recorded under tight deadlines at Hidden Valley Ranch in Malibu. Creative tensions arose: Corby preferred progressive rock influences whereas Waite leaned toward country styles. The $300,000 project was initially rejected by Chrysalis; Corby was surprised by tracks he had not performed on. After Corby's exit, the remaining members reworked Head First, simplifying arrangements and adding songs like "Love Don’t Prove I’m Right" and "Every Time I Think Of You," which reached No. 13 on U.S. charts.
According to Equipment Manager Ray Sheriff, Jonathan Cain took over keyboards/guitar/vocals while Ricky Phillips joined on bass in late 1978, expanding the group to five members. This lineup made its debut at the Whisky a Go Go on December 31, 1978, followed by touring as an opening act for Alice Cooper into early 1979.
Their fourth studio effort, Union Jacks (January 1980), produced by Keith Olsen, presented a more aggressive sound; its single "Back on My Feet Again" briefly entered the Top 40 charts. Backup vocalist Anne Marie Leclerc accompanied them during this era. While supporting Journey on an extensive 1980 tour, Jonathan Cain would soon join Journey permanently. The band's fifth album, On the Edge, recorded during this tour and released in October 1980, featured the single "Turn and Walk Away," which peaked at No. 42 on the Hot 100.
On December 9, 1980, during a Cincinnati concert shortly after John Lennon's passing, Waite sustained injuries caused by an overly enthusiastic fan. After completing one final show in Akron with Waite performing while injured on crutches, the remainder of the tour was canceled. Cain departed to join Journey full-time; Waite embarked on a solo career; subsequently, Chrysalis dropped the band leading to their disbandment in early 1981. Frustration over their commercial achievements not matching their albums' quality or live performances contributed significantly to this decision.
Aftermath
Jonathan Cain became a member of Journey at the time the group was gaining widespread popularity. John Waite embarked on a prosperous solo journey, scoring a number one hit in the United States in 1984 with Chas Sandford and Mark Leonard's "Missing You" from his sophomore solo album No Brakes. In the late 1980s, Waite and Cain reunited alongside Ricky Phillips to create the hard rock/glam rock supergroup Bad English, which generated multiple hits from their 1989 self-titled release. Tony Brock dedicated several years to drumming for Rod Stewart, co-producing for Jimmy Barnes, and producing for Keith Urban. Wally Stocker joined Brock in Rod Stewart’s band, briefly collaborated with Air Supply during the mid-1980s, and later joined a reformed version of Humble Pie. Phillips was a member of Styx for over two decades, spanning from 2003 until early 2024.
Adrian Millar, the original manager of The Babys, died on 10 December 2006 at age 58.
Reforming the Babys
In 2003, Michael Corby, one of the founding members, attempted to bring together the classic lineup consisting of himself, John Waite, Tony Brock, and Wally Stocker; however, this reunion effort was unsuccessful as the other members declined to participate.
The Babys reassembled in 2013 with original members Brock and Stocker returning, joined by American musician John Bisaha on vocals and bass, along with guitarist Joey Sykes who took over from J. P. Cervoni. Their comeback performance took place at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills, California, featuring new backing vocalists Holly Bisaha and Elisa Chadbourne.
Their album I'll Have Some of That! was released in June 2014. Since then, the band has sustained an active touring presence across the U.S., employing various keyboardists including Francesco Saglietti (2013–2015, 2016–2018), Eric Ragno (2015), Brian Johnson (2015–2016), Louis Middleton (2018–2019), and Walter Ino (2019–present). Beginning in 2022, lead singer Bisaha has also performed with Firefall.
Band members
- John Bisaha – lead vocals, bass
- Wally Stocker – lead guitar
- Joey Sykes – rhythm guitar, backing vocals, mandolin
- Tony Brock – drums, occasional piano , backing and occasional lead vocals
Touring members
- Holly Bisaha - backing vocals
- Elisa Chadbourne - backing vocals
- Francesco Saglietti - keyboards
- Eric Ragno - keyboards
- Brian Johnson - keyboards
- Louis Middleton - keyboards
- Walter Ino - keyboards
Former members
- John Waite - lead vocals , bass
- Michael Corby - keyboards, rhythm guitar
- Matt Irving - guitar, bass, keyboards, backing vocals
- Jonathan Cain - keyboards, backing and occasional lead vocals , rhythm guitar
- Ricky Phillips - bass guitar, backing vocals
- J. P. Cervoni - rhythm guitar, backing vocals
| 1975-1976 | 1976-1978 | 1978-1979 | 1979-1980 |
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| 1980-2012 | 2013 | 2013-2015 | 2015 |
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| 2015-2016 | 2016-2018 | 2018-2019 | 2019–present |
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Studio Albums
| Year | Album Title | Australia | United States | Record Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | The Babys | — | 133 | Chrysalis |
| 1977 | Broken Heart | 9 | 34 | |
| 1978 | Head First | 18 | 22 | |
| 1980 | Union Jacks | 58 | 42 | |
| On the Edge | 98 | 71 | ||
| 1981 | Anthology (compilation) | 73 | 138 | |
| 2001 | Valentine Babys (live recording) | — | — | EMI |
| 2008 | Live in America (remastered reissue of Valentine Babys) |
— | — | Indie Europe/Zoom |
| 2014 | I'll Have Some of That! | — | — | Independent - All in Time Records (iTunes/Amazon/retail) |
Singles
| Year | Single Title | Highest Chart Positions | Certification Status | Associated Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | Canada | UK | Australia | ||||
| 1977 | "If You've Got the Time" | 88 | — | — | — | The Babys | |
| "Isn't It Time" | 13 | 8 | 45 | 1 |
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Broken Heart | |
| 1978 | "Silver Dreams" | 53 | 53 | — | — | ||
| 13 | 8 | — | 6 | Head First | |||
| "Head First" | 77 | — | — | — | |||
| "True Love True Confessions" | — | — | — | — | Union Jacks | ||
| "Back on My Feet Again" | 33 | 29 | — | 92 | |||
| 1980 | "Midnight Rendezvous" | 72 | — | — | — | ||
| "Turn and Walk Away" | 42 | 15 | — | — | On the Edge | ||