The Babys (continued)
The first real problems inside the band occur while recording their third album. Mike Corby leaves The Babys during the 'Head First' sessions. Corby, who wants to play straight rock 'n roll, doesn't really fit in the concept of the band any more as The Babys turn into a more melodic style. The remaining three Babys members finish the album 'Head First' which is released in December 1978.
In order to be able to promote the album on the road in the USA, two new musicians are added to the band. Jonathan Cain comes in as keyboard player and Ricky Phillips joins as the new bass player. In an interview Waite is asked how he feels about quitting playing bass guitar in the band. "I prefer singing. Rick is a better bass player than me and this new situation allows me to focus on singing." A single from this album 'Everytime I Think of You' becomes another international hit for the band. Although always plagued by managerial and personnel problems, The Babys firmly leave their mark in 70's rock music. Generally considered the best Babys album 'Union Jacks' (released January 1980) contains hit singles 'Back on My Feet Again' and 'Midnight Rendezvous.' During an extensive tour in 1980 ("our best shows" according to Waite) The Babys open for 'Journey.'
Their 5th album 'On the Edge' is made during the tour and released in October 1980 Playing a gig in Cincinnati, Ohio, on the 9th of December (the day after Lennon is shot), during The Babys final tour, Waite is pulled from the stage during the encore by an overzealous member of the audience. He damages the cartilage in his knee and it forces him to do the last gig of the tour, in Akron, Ohio, on crutches.
Waite recalls: "I collapsed, I couldn't keep on." The remainder of The Babys' tour is cancelled.
The Babys break-up
This means the end for the group. Much has been said since about the reasons why this excellent band split. In the interviews, various band members said that The Babys were underrated and never really achieved worldwide success, for which they worked so hard, despite the high quality level of their albums and live shows. Their home-country England practically ignored the group, as England was really focused on punk. Also, the name of the group wasn't considered a very good choice, "We were better than people thought we were," according to Waite.
Unknown BABYS album
Besides the 5 official Babys albums, released by Chrysalis, a somewhat obscure album 'The Official Unofficial Babys Album' is released in 1978 on the NEMS label (NEMS 6016). It contains 10 tracks featuring the original five-piece line-up in its rawest state. The tapes for that album were handed to NEMS by a band member because Chrysalis found the material unsuitable for release, even though two of the tracks did appear, albeit in a more polished style, on their 'Broken Heart' album. The songs indeed sounded like demos.
