Formed by ex-SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION and STRIDER drummer Tony Brock, THE BABYS formed in London in the mid 70s and featured Lancaster native JOHN WAITE on vocals and former lavatory attendant Michael Corby on bass. Although essentially an English band the group opted to relocate to America, a land at that stage under the heel of Punk.

Waite had been striving for success for three years, acts such as GRAF SPEE, CHALK FARM and ENGLAND, with little joy before running in to Corby, who could also list previous employment as a dustman, a theatre usher and a sandwich board man on a quite diverse CV. The duo met Brock at a STRIDER gig in the London Marquee Club. The un-Rock n' Roll brand name 'The Babys' had been initially intended as a temporary measure in an effort to get their music listened to by record labels, at the time solely having their focus on Pop artists. Eschewing the London club scene in favour of relocating to the States, legend has it that THE BABYS had already made the move to Los Angeles when Chrysalis came in with the offer of a recording contract, with the band's self-titled debut appearing in 1976.

THE BABYS built upon the reasonable success of their first album by a busy touring schedule and second album 'Broken Heart' earnt them greater success, especially in Australia where the single, 'Isn't It Time' hit Number One.

Having begun recording third album 'Head First' the group parted company with Michael Corby leaving the remaining trio of Waite, Stocker and Brock to complete the record. Once finished, the group added two Americans to the line-up, namely former music store employee Ricky Phillips on bass, previously with THE WARLOCKS and NASTY HABIT, and the Chicago born keyboardist JONATHAN CAIN. The latter was already a known figure in the windy city thanks to his reputation on the Rhythm n' Blues scene and an album release with his own JONATHAN CAIN BAND, scoring a Billboard top 50 hit single with 'Til it's Time To Say Goodbye'. Cain was something of an emerging talent as a songwriter and, combined with Waite, pushed THE BABYS into another league with the band's fourth album, the Keith Olsen produced 'Union Jacks' issued in 1980.

Whilst 'On The Edge' emerged in 1981, a car accident suffered by Waite put him out of contention for scheduled shows but Waite had already been looking at a solo career once Cain had opted to leave to join JOURNEY, whilst Phillips briefly worked with Pop Metal outfit ANGEL. Stocker and Brock, meantime, became members of ROD STEWART's live band. Brock would session for Australian AOR sensation JIMMY BARNES, a role which he fulfilled for numerous albums. Cain would also donate his services for JIMMY BARNES's 1985 self-titled album plus 1987's 'Freight Train Heart'. Stocker would feature as a member of AIR SUPPLY.

Following Waite's successful solo career, the vocalist was to once more team up with ex -THE BABYS members Cain and Phillips to form BAD ENGLISH with JOURNEY guitarist NEAL SCHON. The first eponymous album scored a massive American hit for the band, including the Number One single 'When I See You Smile' in 1989, but personal tensions within BAD ENGLISH resulted in a lacklustre second effort and the inevitable split in late 1991. Waite went solo again after a brief period working with WHITESNAKE guitarist Adrian Vandenberg came to naught. Phillips would undertake bass duties for the much vaunted COVERDALE / PAGE project album.

Whilst JONATHAN CAIN has recorded two solo albums and participated in the long awaited JOURNEY reunion Phillips has also produced a solo album of his own, recorded in partnership with erstwhile TRILLION, ANGEL, LE ROUX and TOTO vocalist Fergie Frederiksen for the Swedish based Empire label.

RICKY PHILLIPS issued a solo album 'Elements Of Friction' in 2000 that included songwriting collaboration with Waite. A live retrospective to THE BABYS dating from 1980 emerged in 2001 billed as 'Valentine Baby'. In early 2005 JACK FROST, guitarist with Heavy Metal band SEVEN WITCHES, recorded a cover version of 'Head First' with Ted Poley of DANGER DANGER on lead vocals.