By Craig Michaels
If you’ve been longing for the powerful ballads and electrifying arena rock of the ’70s and ’80s, your wait is over. John Waite, the British rock singer, and musician whose voice has defined a generation, is bringing his timeless music to the stage at Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City on Saturday, May 11. Best known as the lead singer and bassist of The Babys, John Waite is also celebrated for his solo work and his time with the supergroup Bad English. His upcoming concert promises to be a nostalgic journey through four decades of rock and roll history.
John Waite began his musical career with The Babys, a British rock band that enjoyed considerable success in the late ’70s. The band scored big hits with “Isn’t It Time” and “Everytime I Think of You,” both of which climbed to No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. After the band disbanded, Waite embarked on a solo career, making a splash with his debut album, Ignition, and its hit single, “Change.” However, it was his follow-up album, No Brakes, which catapulted him to international stardom, thanks to the chart-topping smash “Missing You.”
Waite continued to make waves in the music world with his involvement in Bad English, a supergroup that included members from both The Babys and Journey. The band scored a major hit with the Diane Warren-penned ballad “When I See You Smile,” which topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1989.
Over the years, Waite has contributed to soundtracks and collaborated with other artists, expanding his musical legacy. His song “Deal for Life,” written by Martin Page and Bernie Taupin, was featured in the soundtrack for Days of Thunder. Other notable tracks like “Every Step of the Way” and “If Anybody Had a Heart” made their way into the 1986 film About Last Night.
Now, John Waite is bringing his extensive catalog of hits to the Agua Caliente Casino in Cathedral City, California. This one-night-only concert is your chance to experience the magic of his music live and in person. The show, dubbed “40 Years of Missing You,” will take you on a journey through Waite’s greatest hits from his solo career, The Babys, and Bad English.
I recently spoke with Waite to ask him why he feels his timeless hit “Missing You” resonates so much with his audience: “Missing You is a very simple song. I wrote it in about 20 minutes. It’s easy to understand,” he remarked. Waite went on to say, “ there is a connection between my fans that have followed me throughout the years.” In addition to his hit songs, Waite says they like to have fun and mix in some covers by Bob Dylan and whatever else they feel at the moment.
Join John Waite on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at 8 PM for a night of rock anthems and heartfelt ballads. The concert will take place in the Agave Caliente Terraza located in Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City, and tickets are priced at $50. Please note that attendees must be 21 or older to attend. You can purchase tickets here: https://aguacalientecasinos.com/agua-event/john-waite/.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to his music, this is an event you won’t want to miss. Get ready to rock out and sing along to the songs that have stood the test of time!
