John Waite is coming back to the Cleveland-area town where his rock and roll journey took root, and this time cameras will be rolling. The singer, famous for the 1984 chart-topper “Missing You” and the Bad English power ballad “When I See You Smile,” headlines Northfield Park Racino Center Stage next Thursday, October 1, with the performance being filmed for a Nexstar New Year’s Eve special.
Waite was born in Lancaster, England, but landed in Northfield during his early musical career after obtaining a visa to pursue a possible record deal, according to Cleveland.com. It was there, and around Cleveland’s storied rock scene, that he first played bass with a band called the Boys before eventually fronting The Babys, the group that gave him his first taste of chart success.
According to the same Cleveland.com report, Waite spent time playing the Agora during his Cleveland years, plugging into a local rock ecosystem shaped by WMMS, Jane Scott, and DJ Kid Leo. The Babys notched two Top 20 Billboard Hot 100 hits, “Isn’t It Time” and “Everytime I Think of You,” both peaking at No. 13, a chart run confirmed by Stereogum. The band released albums before splitting up.
From Cleveland Club Dates to a No. 1 Solo Hit
Waite spent six years with The Babys before going solo, per Cleveland.com’s account of his career arc, relocating to New York City as his profile rose and eventually buying a house about 90 minutes north of Manhattan. His first solo album was produced by Neil Giraldo, known for his work with Pat Benatar, and led to the release of “No Brakes,” whose videos dominated MTV…