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1978 - THE BABYS - HEAD FIRST
John, however, has other things on mind. „I cannot say really that ‚Broken Heart’ was a killer“,
he prefaces his thoughts. „I prefer our first album. Okay, we took a tremendous step forward since.
But the only way to get forward is to go back again and continue where we started.
The more I listen to all those new bands the more I wanna play live. I mean, playing really live!
I wanna show all those people out there that we can do a lot more than only look pretty.“
As a fact, THE BABYS will specify the sound of their following album a more than favorable touch. (But that´s only my opinion...)
Now one may argue whether John´s forecast corresponds to the result. The truth is, however, the four
Brit guys have
to fight some utter changes.
So the number „3“ in 1978 means several reformations. They successfully went on
as yet. But now that they reached
the third year of their existence the slowly but surely of the diapers outgrowing BABYS are faced with a difficult decision
the very first time. Musical disagreements lead them a pretty dance.
It comes clear that John is the ballad type of guy whereas
Mike prefers a more rocky edge.
Considering THE BABYS' successful predecessor „Broken Heart“, decisions are made against
Michael Corby
and THE BABYS finish their third album „Head First“ as a three piece in December 1978.
In spite of that, Ron Nevison again produces a fine piece of music.
„Isn´t it Time“, which is often compared to „Every Time I Think of You“ scores international success again.
Three weeks after publishing the album it reaches Billboard´s Top 50 and gains Gold.
There´s only one original BABETTES member, Myrna Matthews beside the new background voices which belong to
Marti McCall and Diana Lee. No problem for the song itself although John thinks that
„Every Time I Think of You“ is a bit too much „Isn´t it Time“.
The title track „Head First“ is written by Tony, Wally and John within a very short time.
John: „The albums' title already was ‚Head First’ and I liked the idea
of giving a meaning to that.“
Symphonic studies can be found on „White Lightening“ and „Every Time I think of You“
only (barely mentionable on „You“)
and the album all in all sounds as
fresh and innocent as the name of the band.
The defloration of THE BABYS happens in the form of two new band members.
To promote „Head First“ in the USA properly the remaining members boost the band with
Jonathan Cain (left),
who replaces Mike Corby at the keyboards and John Waite hands over the bass to
Ricky Phillips (center).
From now on John will take over the role of the front man.
He becomes more and more the figurehead of
For Ricky Phillips, however, a dream comes true. Many musicians work for years toward the big break
of which they dream. Well, that does not mean that Ricky didn´t work hard but he is the ONE that literally
walks straight into that dream.
„I was working in a music store in California“, he says.. „When I heard that THE BABYS were in the town,
auditioning
bass players,
I grabbed a bass off the rack, walked across the street and auditioned. The price label still hung on it ...
I had nothing to lose. And I got the job. It was unbelievable. One minute I´m a nobody and the next I´m the new bass player of one of the world´s hottest bands.“
„We just threw the doors open and anybody who could play was welcome“, says John.
„A lot of not famous kids are really great musicians sometimes.
We wanted somebody fresh.“ Ricky moreover co-writes some of THE BABYS´ material.
„It was really hard to find a keyboarder“, John remembers the search of the fifth man.
„And then Jonathan suddenly turned up out of the blue. He got on the keyboards and got cracking and it was
just Rock'n Roll.
He was really going for it.“
The career of THE BABYS approaches their heyday.
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