The Babys were a British-American hard rock band active from the mid-1970s to the early 1980s. Known for their power ballads and melodic rock sound, they found modest chart success in the U.S. but never achieved long-term commercial breakthrough. With two major hits—“Isn’t It Time” and “Every Time I Think of You”—the Babys left their mark during a competitive era dominated by emerging punk, new wave, and arena rock acts.
Despite internal changes and management issues, the band’s music still resonates with fans of classic rock.
| Band Name | The Babys |
|---|---|
| Origin | London, England |
| Years Active | 1975–1981, 2013–present |
| Genres | Hard Rock, Pop Rock, AOR |
| Original Members | John Waite, Michael Corby, Tony Brock, Wally Stocker |
| Later Members | Jonathan Cain, Ricky Phillips, John Bisaha, Joey Sykes |
| Major Hits | “Isn’t It Time” (#13), “Every Time I Think of You” (#13), “Back on My Feet Again” (#33) |
| Labels | Chrysalis Records |
| Key Albums | The Babys (1977), Broken Heart (1977), Head First (1978), Union Jacks (1980), On the Edge (1980), I’ll Have Some of That! (2014) |
| Legacy Acts | Journey, Bad English, Styx, John Waite (solo) |
Formation and Early Development
The Babys were formed in 1975 in London, England, by Michael Corby, a guitarist and keyboardist. The idea for the band took shape after Corby met Adrian Millar, who became their manager. Through auditions, the group’s founding lineup was completed with:
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John Waite – lead vocals, bass
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Tony Brock – drums
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Wally Stocker – lead guitar
Corby served as the creative force early on, shaping the band’s musical direction. The band name, “The Babys,” was chosen as a form of reverse psychology. According to legend, Corby and Millar thought a soft, harmless-sounding name might catch more attention in the hard rock scene—and it did.
In 1977, the band relocated to California, where they began recording demos. This move helped position them for success in the U.S. market, particularly with label executives at Chrysalis Records, who signed them shortly after.
Debut Album and Mixed Start
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The Babys released their self-titled debut album in 1977. It included the minor hit “If You’ve Got the Time,” which charted on the Billboard Hot 100 but failed to break into the Top 40. The album’s sound combined hard rock with melodic touches, but its production left both the band and fans somewhat underwhelmed.
Though musically competent, the debut album didn’t stand out in a year filled with records from the likes of Foreigner, Boston, and the emerging punk scene. Still, it gave The Babys a foothold in the growing American rock market.
Breakthrough with “Broken Heart”
Later in 1977, the band released their second album, Broken Heart, which proved more successful. It featured “Isn’t It Time,” written by Jack Conrad and Ray Kennedy, both friends of Corby. The song reached:
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#13 on the Billboard Hot 100
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#49 on the Adult Contemporary chart
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#1 in Australia
The song’s mix of orchestration, backup vocals (courtesy of female soul singers), and Waite’s emotional delivery gave The Babys their first major hit. The album itself was better received and helped the band develop a fan base, although they were still overshadowed by acts like Blondie and Pat Benatar—other Chrysalis artists who aligned more with the punk/new wave movement.
Tensions and Lineup Changes
Despite growing success, tensions developed behind the scenes. Disagreements between manager Adrian Millar and Chrysalis Records led to Millar’s departure.
While recording their next album, Head First (1978), Michael Corby was suddenly dismissed from the band. Accounts vary—some say he quit, others claim he was fired due to internal disputes. His exit marked a turning point. Corby had been central to the group’s sound and image, and his departure left a creative gap.
The remaining members finished the album without him. Released in 1979, Head First became their highest-charting LP, peaking at #22 on the Billboard 200. Its lead single, “Every Time I Think of You,” again written by Conrad and Kennedy, reached #13 on the Hot 100.
New Members, New Sound
To fill the void, The Babys held auditions and recruited Jonathan Cain on keyboards. Cain brought a fresh dynamic to the band, both as a player and songwriter. American bassist Ricky Phillips also joined, allowing Waite to focus solely on vocals.
With this new lineup, the Babys released Union Jacks in 1980. The lead single, “Back on My Feet Again,” reached #33 on the Hot 100. Although not a blockbuster, the album earned critical praise and showed the group adapting to a more American-style radio rock sound.
They followed with On the Edge (1980), but its singles failed to chart well. The strain of touring, the lack of a strong promotional push, and changing musical tastes wore the band down.
In December 1980, during a difficult U.S. tour, the Babys unofficially called it quits. They formally disbanded in 1981.
After The Babys
John Waite
Waite launched a successful solo career. His biggest achievement was the 1984 hit “Missing You,” which reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. He continued releasing albums and remains active as a solo artist.
Jonathan Cain
Cain joined Journey in 1980. His songwriting and keyboard work were instrumental in Journey’s peak years. He co-wrote hits like “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “Faithfully,” and “Open Arms,” turning Journey into a stadium rock powerhouse.
Ricky Phillips
Phillips later joined Bad English, a supergroup that included Waite, Cain, and Journey guitarist Neal Schon. Today, Phillips is best known as the long-time bassist for Styx.
Tony Brock
Brock worked with artists like Rod Stewart, Elton John, and Keith Urban. He also formed The Tony Brock Band and became a respected session drummer.
Wally Stocker
Stocker continued touring with groups like Air Supply and participated in reunion projects with former Babys members.
Reunion and New Era
In 2013, original members Tony Brock and Wally Stocker reformed The Babys. They added American musicians John Bisaha (vocals, bass) and Joey Sykes (guitar) to the lineup.
The band released I’ll Have Some of That! in 2014, their first album in over 30 years. Though it didn’t chart, it was praised by longtime fans for staying true to the band’s melodic hard rock roots. The group has since toured periodically and remains active.
Notable Songs Beyond the Hits
While “Isn’t It Time,” “Every Time I Think of You,” and “Back on My Feet Again” were the band’s only major U.S. hits, The Babys released a number of other strong tracks, including:
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“Silver Dreams”
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“A Piece of the Action”
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“I’m Falling”
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“Midnight Rendezvous”
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“Head First”
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“Turn and Walk Away”
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“Love Is Just a Mystery”
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“Postcard”
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“Too Far Gone”
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“Jesus Are You There”
These songs showcased the band’s range—blending rock, pop, and emotional balladry—and built a loyal fanbase.
Legacy
The Babys never achieved the arena rock success of their peers, but their music has aged well. Their ballads remain staples of classic rock radio, and their influence is evident in later bands that combined rock power with emotional depth.
They also serve as a launching pad for the careers of Jonathan Cain, John Waite, and Ricky Phillips, all of whom went on to greater fame. For fans of ’70s rock, The Babys are a beloved band whose best songs continue to resonate.