Famed Front Man For Two Bands Out On the Road With Styx & Foreigner During Summer 2024

Jeff Walker,  Entertainment  Writer

Vocalist and musician John Waite managed to sandwich a successful career between two well received, yet totally different bands. For nearly five years beginning in the late 1970's Waite sang lead with The Babys, a power pop rock band originated in London that gave the entertainment world two Top 13 hits with 'Isn't It Time' and 'Every Time I Think of You'.

A decade later he fronted the glam pop metal band Bad English, reaching number one with their mega-hit 'When I See You Smile'. That chart topper came five years (1984) after Waite reached number one with 'Missing You' off his platinum selling solo album 'No Brakes'. All totaled Waite has released 10 solo records, and seven combined with The Babys and Bad English. 

Nearly five decades into his ever evolving entertainment career, Waite who loves to perform live is out on the road in 2024 touring with Styx and Foreigner as part of their 'Renegades & Juke Box Heroes' summer tour. According the multi-talented entertainer all is good in his life right now. "Everything is great. I'm on the road with two major bands and we're playing in front of large crowds. My life is full."

With less of a Top 40 music catalog Waite is resigned to the opening act. "I've been at it almost as long as Styx and Foreigner, but they both have a bigger arsenal of hit songs. So I get it. I'm held to in a goldfish bowl as the opener. I do my 40 minutes and I'm off." He adds, "But it's just 40 minutes of firing off hits."

While many openers are up and coming bands, Waite is an established artists and on this tour it shows. "What's really cool is fans want to hear my songs. They want to hear the songs they remember from me. So rather than concert goers filling the seats after the opening act, they are there right when I hit the stage. And I welcome playing to a nice size crowd, and an audience that wants to hear my music."

Although he's known several of fellow travelling partners for years, Waite prefers to place some separation from the guys on the road. "We're at the hotel and the venue together, but the band and I enjoy some downtime and distance ourselves from the other bands. So we'll jump in the van, someone takes the wheel and we just drive."

How does Waite pass the time between concert dates? "I read a lot. I love to read music and poetry. I'm a big fan of Shakespeare. Lord Byron is incredible. A great romantic poet. Byron was probably the Jimi Hendrix of his day."

Coming of age in the 1960's Waite admits his influences varied. "I was raised on 'cowboy music', what they called country and western music long ago. Of course The Beatles came along and then music got exotic with the introduction to Jimi Hendrix. At that point I was a teenager and I was hooked."

According to Waite who was educated at Greaves Secondary Modern and Lancaster Art College (now the Storey Institute) there was never any other road choice. "I didn't have a back up. I sensed early on music was going to be my career path."

Dedication to various aspects of the music industry and belief in his abilities fueled Waite during the early days of The Babys. "I was the only one who could write songs. I knew I was good, and my songs were personal." He explains further. "I was a bass player who could sing. So I stepped into the role and came out fully formed." 

That same mindset has driven him from day one. "When I didn't have a #1 record, or maybe I fell out of favor, I didn't give a flying fuck. If I disappeared for a while that was okay. Everything I do is on my terms." The one thing he's most proud of has been his calling card for nearly five decades. "My voice is in good shape, and I cherish that."

Waite doesn't mind flying under the radar, as long as he's in control. "Absolutely. That's how I can step in and out of the spotlight, because I do it on my own terms. The suits (record labels) think they know and you don't. For them it's all about the business side. That's the natural order of things in the industry. But for me, it's always been about the music. The very reason I got into music is because of the music."

When his solo career and MTV generation were beginning to take shape, with image as part of total package, Waite says he still was in control. "I had a lot to do with each video. I'm creative and know what I want." Waite took the initiative on 'Missing You'. "The day before we shot the video I went out and bought a black suit and shaved my hair off. It was spur of the moment, but I wanted a certain look."

The divide among the veteran musicians in Bad English lead to their quick demise. Although the debut album produced three Top 40 hits, 'When I See You Smile' became the lone standout. The follow up album 'Backlash' didn't register with fans, primarily because the band had decided to call it quits. "Bad English had some beautiful moments and put out a few good songs. But we started to implode not long after we formed." 

Not a good recipe for longevity. "I don't usually leave the room until I sense it's time." Waite admits it was a collective decision to pull the plug. "There have been periods of time people wouldn't deal with me. We were all seasoned musicians, totally headstrong, and going in different directions."

Like dozens of well-known performers before and after him, Waite (2003) toured with former Beatle Ringo Starr in his long running All Starr Band. Waite says it came with mixed emotions. "You're playing in someone else's band. But it's really cool because he's one of The Beatles."

Only a slight bit of apprehension on Waite's part. "I'd never been so nervous. You ask yourself, 'how am I going to deal with this'. But Ringo is so welcoming. He appreciates all genres of music. And one thing I can tell you for certain, he's extremely funny."

During the pandemic Waite shot a documentary film. The title 'The Hard Way' is the same to his eighth studio album from 2004. The film reflects on his 5-decade career beginning in the mid 1970's. Waite explained the process. "It was done during COVID. The crew came to my house. We dug up old footage and it evolved from there." To prep himself for shooting. "I was drinking about a bottle or more of wine a day."

Released in 2022, 'The Hard Way' recounts his struggles inside music's commercial world and his independent pursuits as a solo, live-music artist. "There's a lot of truth in it. We're not making shit up." However, "If I had been shooting the film, it would have been different. Nevertheless it's raw and real, and I'm flattered they took the time to profile my journey." 

Although Waite enjoys writing and recording new songs, the two avenues pale  in comparison to his greatest love. "The stage. Because it's raw! The only time I'm sure of who I am is when I'm singing."

71 years young as of July 4th this year, the lifetime vocalist says he sees no reason to slow down. "I'll perform live as long as I'm on top of my game." He looks to the Rolling Stones for reference. "As long as you have that lightening in you, you have to continue on. Jagger has it." He adds, "If I have my health, and more importantly my voice than I'm going to keep hitting the stage."

Like many veteran rock n' roll acts, Waite believes even though there's been a revival in vinyl, the romance in the record industry has lost it's luster. "The internet changed everything. It's made everything less personal."

He explains further, "Back when I was coming up you had to go to a record store, put down your hard earned money for a 12 inch square, an LP in a square album cover. There was something about the smell of a new album, and the artwork on the cover. You could sit in your room with your friends and play the album over and over again. That connection is lost on younger people today."

He goes on to say, "I recall getting my first Beatles album one Christmas and I was over the moon. Now it's all about downloading songs, watching things on screen, or listening on your phone. Decades ago there was value in holding albums in your arms. Sadly, what kids are doing today is not the same experience."

While the Foreigner and Styx tour will bring Waite to Charleston July 15th, he's performed solo shows here over the years, and visited the holy city on another occasion. "Many years ago, I believe it was around 1995, my former girlfriend and I drove down from NYC to Charleston. I love that neck of the woods. Charleston is such a sweet place. The history and the overall charm of the city is very inviting. Hopefully, I don't know but maybe I'll get to enjoy the city a little bit when we play through there." 

This time around it's the 'Renegades & Jukebox Heroes' show that brings him to Charleston. "This tour is gigantic. It's packed with so many hits, frankly it's un-imaginable. Foreigner and Styx are fantastic. Both bands are great live. That's why I love being a part of this tour, because all of us are great live. Many of us have been friends for decades, so it's really cool to travel and perform with guys you admire and respect."

If he wasn't part of the tour or in the industry overall, Waite admits he'd be on the other side of the stage. "Like people sitting in the seats, I'm fans of both bands. If I wasn't part of the show I'd want to see it." Reason being, "I love their songs. This tour is just a non-stop hit parade. A lot of bang for your buck. I expect the Charleston venue will be packed. Can't wait to visit Charleston again."

For more on the Styx, Foreigner, and John Waite tour stop in Charleston visit https://creditonestadium.com/event/foreigner-styx-renegades-and-juke-box-heroes/