Gig Alert: John Waite at Glass Cactus

During the late '70's, FM radio was at a definite low point. Hell, that's why punk came along in the first place. Every once in a while, a song would come across the airwaves that reminded folks of the pure joy of power pop.

"Isn't it Time" and "Everytime I Think of You" from The Babys were two such examples. Powered along by the always steady vocals of John Waite, the songs of The Babys were the perfect antidote for the sickness brought on by the bombast of likes of ELP, Yes and Rush.

And Waite was hardly finished when The Babys decided to call it quits in 1980 (a few days after John Lennon was murdered).

Waite's subsequent solo career began in 1982, but it wasn't until the 1984 single "Missing You" and the accompanying album, No Brakes, that Waite truly became a household name.

After that, the hits were less frequent, but Waite could have easily coasted along on past successes. Instead, in 1988, he formed another band, the supergroup Bad English. Although certainly less interesting than either his solo outings or work with The Babys, Bad English still managed to sell a hell of a lot of records.

Bad English only made three albums before internal tensions found Waite returning to solo work. His albums since 1995 have been solid but uneventful affairs, but Waite's vocals have remained a thing of beauty.

The recently released Rough & Tumble is, by far, one of Waite's most rocking affairs, although the album's best cut may well be "If You Ever Get Lonely," another solid, power ballad.

I actually got to speak with Waite about a week ago before a show in New York City, but technical difficulties prevent me from providing the readers of DC-9 with the complete conversation.

Please don't let that stop anyone from heading out to the Glass Cactus Friday night and checking out the greatness that is John Waite. At 59, the guy has lost none of what made him so special all those years ago.

John Waite performs with Malea on Friday, December 2, at the Glass Cactus Nightclub.