John Waite talks Missing You

[@ronsmock1879]

I have been fortunate to have seen John perform and chat him up many times over the years. I'll never forget the time at the Akron rib fest when he was speaking to another fan. He looked over and saw me there. He politely excused himself, walked up to me and said I'm sorry I dont remember your name but I wanted to come over and say hello. We chatted a few minutes. That is how he is with all his fans. Very kind and genuine man.

[@dianelaag2944]

I was at a cafe in Santa Monica a few years ago. John Waite had just finished his lunch or drink and got up and left. He knew that I had recognized him. I asked the waiter if that was John Waite, he said yes and that he was a really nice guy. Five minutes later, he came back to the cafe. I looked at him and said I knew it was you! He came over, said hello, put his arm around me and I kissed his cheek. We took pics and I asked him what he was doing and where he was playing these days… what a nice guy!

[@brooklynbabe7896]

@@dianelaag2944 what a great guy and a sweetheart absolutely a perfect gentleman and a very kind hearted man and super cute and extremely polite and nice too

[@BethCollier31]

@@dianelaag2944 Lucky girl!

[@ronsmock1879]

@Mike Davis The point of the message was he appreciates his fans and is kind. Obviously you are just here to troll.

[@danasmith8269]

@mikedavis8008 out of the thousands of people he meets and sees over the years...he's not expected to recognize everyone...but when he sees you and comes over and says hi, regardless if he remembers your name or not....that's nice...that's classy :)

[@lesliekozachik8503]

Missing You was a big favorite song for me, & I still love it this day.

[@sharionsutherland8950]

I met him in 1985. He and his band played at our fair. I had just watched MTV that afternoon when "Missing You" came on. I was working in a ice shack. He came strolling by with two bodyguards. Then he came right up to me and we chatted awhile. He was so cute and very sweet. I asked for his autograph, which he gave me. John asked if I was going to his concert that night, I said yes of course. He replied get close to the stage and when I sing Missing You I'll sing it to you. I'll never forget how wonderful it was. .

[@connietheis2740]

Wow must have been amazing 😍

[@richalbee6360]

Awesome

[@brooklynbabe7896]

Nice sis

[@surfshack2]

Yeah he had a real rock-n-roll heart. Cool story.

[@aprilina2580]

Oohh I love that 🥰. What a guy. ♥️

[@tula7141]

We are getting old. I just turned age 60, and this music was everything in my young life.

[@fredlamond3288]

Age is just gaining experience in life. Your not old that’s head trash that will rob you of many more years of life’s adventures!

[@KillerKev1961]

63 here mate. Youth, gone in a flash. Its mind boggling. My friends in high skool thought I was nuts diggin on the Babys while they're afu on Van Halen and Fleetwood Mac bullshit lol. By graduation in 1979, we were all going to see the Babys play. I mean really? You gotta be shittin me!

[@mrc3885]

Hi John. It was 1984, I was a 7 year old American kid living in Italy as part of a military family. Things got bad at home and a violent event broke up my family sending most of us back to the US and leaving my father behind in Italy. Back then I would hear Missing You and imagine my father's guilt and loss. Since MP3 players became a thing your song has been on my daily rotation and I hear it on my spotify list still a few times a day. Thanks for the memories.

[@jrregan]

Understand. Being a AF Brat, tail gunner Joe of the kids, can understand what happened. While more lucky then yours (in that it was post HS grad) the fam breaking occurred. Glad to see you up and about for all the years (lol, decades). 80s music binds many.

[@myssteri1]

John Waite, you aren't lying about MTV. It was the best thing that happened for music and musicians all around. Always love your music and performances.

[@alan93]

music did just fine in the 70s without it.

[@chuckc7375]

One of my most favorite rock singers of all time, a great voice.

[@Cicero207]

John Waite is a legend. He should be in the rock and roll hall of fame.

[@roseakarosiehweinstein3216]

Of course he's been eligible since 08

[@anthonyhetherington2866]

What a lovely guy

[@1thepner]

Didn't even have to listen before I gave it a thumbs up. John Freaking Waite, man. Saw him live in 1984 in Portland, Oregon.

[@surfshack2]

I saw him with Ringo Starr in 2001 in Atlantic City. Great performer. But yeah just like he said , it was MTV where i first saw the "Change" video and it was an instant hit. Perfect timing in the early 80's, the great early days of MTV.

[@hikewithmike4673]

John Waite...awesome singer and songwriter...I loved that he said what made his music great was because it was "honest"...not much of that around these days!

[@SaunieHolloway]

"Thank you, I'll be right over here.." That's just so great. Didn't get sucked in. Bully for you Mr. Waite!

[@joycothern9241]

I met him in the mid 80's when him & his band came in a restaurant where I worked in Kenner,La...He was a super nice guy

[@Enid2Sacramento]

I met him in a parking lot following a performance (quite by accident) and he was most gracious.

[@callunah1664]

LOL...."him & his band".....that's bad English. :)

[@joycothern9241]

@@Enid2Sacramento He was very nice to me, unlike some of the members of his band

[@brooklynbabe7896]

Such a sweetheart of a dude

[@eightiesmusic1984]

@@parisjackson9310 Meaning?

[@virginiataylor5593]

I always liked 'Missing You " but damn I loved "Change"

[@randomelvis3359]

Virginia Taylor Look up “Tim Pierce Change” youtube he was the session lead guitarist ...he posted recently about his part in Change....just in case you’ve any free time? 😂 (Pandemic 2020)

[@ChloeVTalks]

SAME!

[@JP-cr5uq]

Me tooo! 😩😩😩❤️❤️❤️

[@Bigcornbread]

Restless heart

[@nealwright5630]

I was in an on-off relationship as a 19-yr-old when that came out. It had a pretty deep meaning then and still does today. It's amazing how many songs from back then bring back familiar feelings, smells, sights, sounds, and such.

[@jacquelinec.6785]

Great Vocalist • Still Relevant • Memories come right back to how your life was back then • 'You wear it well' John Waite 🎙️

[@emillion4470]

Time has been very kind to John.

[@FreestyleGGD]

That top 10 at 3:19 though! God damn what a year 1984 was for pop music!

[@jamiegrace5247]

My favorite song. And he seems so sweet and humble.

[@RosieHWeinstein-vl1nm]

Absolutely a sweetie and humble

[@rrmartyheart]

Just saw him perform for a small gathering today, and had the chance to meet him. His voice still sounds great! AND he was so genuinely nice! It was really an honor to get to meet him!

[@charlesrobbins2208]

every time I think of you. made a difference. Thank you, John, for the support.

[@vincentjoyce5100]

His description of fame is the best I’ve ever heard.

[@paullavan3097]

Thanks for the chat John; Missing You - top ten track of the 80s

[@rachelcagnacci3993]

I can remember many things when I hear this song!

[@markabucejo428]

Thanks John! one of my fav songs #missingyou

[@CURVEDGLASS123]

This man is super cool.

[@joeizaragoza8006]

He is so good in concert, and he was very kind to stop and say hello. I looked at him thinking about his documentary he did and thought it was horrible about his manager taking royalties, not owning his music. Having to start over owning his music, money. It's just crazy.

[@TerriWood-l6b]

Love, love missing you. John Waite is awesome, keep on rocking ur way ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@timwebber8630]

"Change" is still is a favorite for me. John Waite is amazing!

[@veronicawilliams6902]

Missing you is highly personal, intense and very well written. Poetry....

[@sheckyfeinstein]

I like the fact that a shy person can do so very well.

[@fullfatdeano]

Wow John - I love how he explains his brush with fame at the highest level and how he took 3 steps back - I massively admire him for that (& saying it too). I wondered why I never saw him in the charts after Missing You. Never mind Rod Stewart - John is the real deal for me - proper honest no bullshit - top bloke :-)

[@Transformed-You-Experience]

I can't count how many times I've sung Every Time at the top of my voice driving. If I could sing I pray for the voice of Russell Morris and John Waite! JW.... you Rock! Thanks for all the joy your song bring us!! ❤️

[@mdwayne741]

This guy is awesome....he should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame if he isn't. I particularly love his work in Bad English...that debut album is flawless. The 2nd album, Backlash is really good as well. "Straight To Your Heart" should have been a number one hit.

[@codavox1]

Same goes for "The Time Alone With You"!

[@mdwayne741]

@@eightiesmusic1984 thanks for the great response! So many good songs with Bad English. I really enjoy Possession, Tough Times Don't Last, So This Is Eden, Price Of Love, Straight To Your Heart, Forget Me Not, Best Of What I Got, Heaven Is A Four Letter Word, Ghost In Your Heart, Time Stood Still.....just some really great songs! One of my least favorite songs by them is "When I See You Smile." Their record label didn't promote the rest of their music enough.... it's exceptional music.

[@eightiesmusic1984]

@@mdwayne741 You are welcome. I read only recently that the band did not want to do When I See You Smile but came up with it due to the record company wanting a big ballad. It liked the result as it realised it would be a huge hit and so it proved. The whole Bad English album is incredible and a real moment in late eighties music for a genre soon to be more or less rubbed out by the curse of grunge. Backlash is a much better album than given credit and still holds up well today. I especially like Straight To Your Heart and Rebel Say A Prayer. I heard John Waite say in a recent interview that he was doing a radio interview and the station played Forget Me Not which reminded him of how good a song it is and the quality of the music the band made on the album.

[@evilpixiedance]

One of the great rock voices of the 70s and 80s. Love him.

[@josephinerimmer6888]

Isn’t it time. Best rock song of all time. Johns voice is sublime AND he’s a fellow Lancastrian!

[@edwoll]

There's a long list of awesome artists through that time period. He is absolutely at the top.

[@taylorosborne3383]

Fucking legend mate!!! Wish I was around during the 80’s to hear you in your youth, but… I’m 25 years old in 2022 and only have past videos to watch :/

[@brooklynbabe7896]

Absolutely

[@HeartWorX.Creations]

Wow, I absolutely love his rawness & honesty, proving that vulnerability is a “good thing” -when you’re not arrogant, that is...👍❤️😊🙏🌞

[@luvvinlovelock7254]

Still love this beautiful song.

[@keithwayne2902]

One of my favorite records is the last Babys record "on the edge". I still love every song on it. Huge Waite fan!!

[@lordcron]

Missing You was qinticintial 80's. There are certain song you hear that immediately take you back to a certain time/Era/place. That song takes me immediately to my high school years. My teen years were incredible! I love them dearly!

[@kingtomasheart4210]

GREAT ARTIST AND A WISE MAN , VERY ADMIRABLE APPROACH TO LIFE, AND A CAREER

[@2ZZGE100]

One of the best songs ever written.

[@nickrophiliac7469]

He hasn't lost his Northern English accent, despite years spent across the Pond. Remarkable..

[@eightiesmusic1984]

He is from Lancaster. He still visits to see his family. Waite is a name with historic links to the Vikings.

[@ravipeiris4388]

Thank you John for living and making music for the rest of us. Peace brother!

[@unholydanger]

MISSING YOU a great song !!!! It was the song which made me miss my mother and father

[@edgardtorres6162]

John is amazing 👍♥️ Missing you John ♥️♥️♥️

[@clarka.morgan2242]

I got to see the Baby's at the Golden West Ballroom in Norwalk, California, in the mid 70's. Thanks John Waite, Keep Rockin!!! Come to San Diego, California soon.

[@Susan-h9z]

Come to Nashville!

[@tb7077]

So many great songs with his voice on them. Pure classics!

[@bobbyyounger7632]

Just finished listening to the album No Brakes with that massive hit Missing You. Thanks John for all the great tunes, soundtracks of my memories. I was a big fan of The Baby's as well....actually my first rock concert ! Glad to see your still doing your artistry. How awesome it would be to get Bad English back for one more album ! ! !

[@abryson7429]

Always been a fan. So glad to hear he's happy and still making music.

[@fredlamond3288]

The songs of that era never get old for me. The baby’s were amazing. I have seen him and the baby’s as well great talent!! Great interview!

[@MsMsaucier]

i always love hearing JW sing... such a great voice & he will always be one of my favs!

[@dorothybrown4262]

I was born in the 80's & this is one of my favorite songs. I never get tired of hearing it. I always listen to this song when it's on the radio & I love "when I see you smile" too.

[@brooklynbabe7896]

You got great taste in music John Waite is absolutely brilliant my dear

[@Rick123691]

He’s undoubtedly the REAL DEAL, I grew up with him Deep Respect I save lives for you JOHN !

[@mwarlaemahn1305]

Legend

[@cyjeren1627]

I love you JW, I am so inlove with that song since back then in 84. Still listening to it in 2019.

[@smbake]

Saw him a few years back walking around the promenade in Santa Monica shopping just like a regular person. Nobody had a clue who he was but I recognized him immediately as he walked right past us. Hearing him talking about consciously stepping away from fame I can imagine this is what he had in mind. If he were mega famous like some lesser singers than he is he would never be able to do that without getting mobbed. Always loved his music.

[@brooklynbabe7896]

Cool beans dude

[@dianelaag2944]

The server we had at a cafe in Santa Monica told us that John lives there.

[@carolberkebile3542]

LOVE THE HAIR CUT & DARK COLOR!! HOT, HOT, HOT❤️

[@brooklynbabe7896]

Me too hunny

[@davidlarsen-tj4tn]

My senior year in high school in 85 my first love and I broke up and let me tell you Missing You would hit so hard every time I heard it especially when the emotions were still raw. It felt like it was written just for me ya know? Anyway now when I hear it I look back fondly on those times in my youth. Great song

[@arpositiveaffirmations]

One of the greatest songs of all times. A true legend🎉🎉🎉

[@michaelmartin4366]

He's one of my favorite artists of all time. His music got me through some pretty tough times when I was a teenager....

[@pilsnrimgaard2507]

One of the top ten best band front men in Rock. John's the real deal!

[@kidgalahad14]

Seems like such a thoughtful, grounded guy....saw him in Bethel NY a couple of years ago and he was terrific! Very warm and appreciative on stage.....hope he's happy now because many of his songs are SO damn sad!!

[@lauriwatkins4570]

I remember hearing him the first time with the Baby’s and I just loved it. Then on his own and as Bad English. Mmmmm, rich voice, heart-touching lyrics, mesmerizing eyes. One of my all-time favorites! 💖🎵🎶

[@kimandrew3095]

Always enjoyed this mans music and I used to see all the album covers,press pictures,etc of him with such a stern look.Rather personal side of John here that brings him into view in a deeper way.I’m really happy he has his way in life from his success yet stays grounded.

[@evanstoney2168]

My go to song when I'm feeling down ...which is quite often.

[@johnmajor3193]

Have EVERY album. Great SONG writer.

[@carrychris2010]

Very intelligent, insightful man.

[@TheTruthseeker59]

one of the greatest voices in music ever!

[@alan93]

What an amazing voice. I wish there was a reunion with Babys . And I think that with a voice like that you don't need videos or good song writing. Phill Collins proved that with Su Su Sudio.

[@davidmeyers3603]

Didn't really know he had anything else but, "isn't it time" One of my favorite songs. Guinness!!!

[@hugoflores6866]

Head first,that was a great tune.lived that lp

[@giselestrauch5146]

my fave song of that era

[@popoymaster975]

Trivia: John Waite was supposed to be the singer of Open arms by Journey but he begged off saying that its too melodramatic eck eck(he didnt want the song)..the song eventually went to Steve Perry when Jonathan Cain became the kboard player for Journey,,, Neil Schon had the same thought like John but this song put them on the map..

[@jml19221]

Change is my favorite John Waite song.

[@Shyann1]

In the collective consciousness, back then....John Waite was riding those waves ~because music lovers respected him very much and he deserved it. Everyone I knew loved him :)

[@marcellacasey1324]

💯♥️ John Waite Rocks!!😎

[@roseakarosiehweinstein3216]

Absolutely fucking brilliant and yes he rocks

[@aujourd8]

I love “Missing you” and “I’m still in love”

[@rachelblanche7482]

I love this guy so much ❤❤

[@sarahstarr2233]

It is so true when u travel the mountain of life and u hit the Top u might want to take sometime when your ready and circle around. I am happy he had a great happy life and Missing You was the best and to think it was written in no time. Its easy to write the truth, Bless that song.

[@slarkel506]

If there is true love, the feelings will always remain. Faith and patience will make everything alright

[@NapoleonDynobyte]

Love John Waite ! Always thought “Deal For Life” from Days of Thunder Soundtrack should’ve got more air time

[@ralphfurley123]

Great interview! Very enlightening! ☮️🖖🏽

[@krisrose219]

Love that song

[@rox006]

Thank you for all the memories John.

[@bertaandrade6922]

My 80s. I was in school still. ❤️💯

[@Joesfosterdogs]

dude is so real...i thot JW would be the typical song boy...nope, deeper soul...true artist...every interview he is kind, sweet, and real

[@roseakarosiehweinstein2744]

You got it dude he's absolutety hands down a true sweetheart indeed my man I've met him a couple of times and I spoke to him on the phone too a couple of days let me tell ya somethng my dear he knows every fan by name

[@matthewmeno5279]

When I was much younger, back in the 80's and 90's, I didn't like the song. In my childhood days, I thought the song was mean, though the music sounded great. "I ain't missing you at all, since you've been gone away!" Back then, I thought even though he was singing, his tone sounded a little mean, but I was told he was being sarcastic. John, you keep singing and rock on with that awesome voice!

[@kk-vs4cc]

2019 still listen

[@terrysullivan6552]

If you ever get to see him live, do it! He's amazing!

[@matthewburrows4359]

One of the niciest men in Rock. The others being Nicky Wire and Andy Cairns. Plus he is from the North West England.

[@donaldcook3112]

. . . It is true that the further north you travel in England ... The warmer the folk are .

[@eightiesmusic1984]

James Dean Bradfield too. We saw him at Hay do a talk and he was so nice to a fan who spoke to him afterwards.

[@sandrabooster]

The years have not dulled his hot-ness. WHEW!

[@BillMeyerShow]

Remember meeting him as a young DJ at KPLZ/Seattle in September/October 1984 when "Missing You" was rocketing up the charts. Good guy, obviously very shy...looks like he's gotten over that to an extent. First time hearing that song we all knew it was a number 1 hit.

[@truthof7382]

Change is such a great song! Always loved it, still in my lineup today.

[@debbiedobles40]

Always love John💯❤️

[@twosevendaughter]

It’s that gorgeous voice and the eye contact. Good grief. Loved him since 1980.

[@lorettabibby3437]

The Babies. (with Michael Corby) 1. The Babies 2. Bad English. (Forget me Not) + So Many more Excellent songs. Not Just the Band. We have Been Doing this Journey with you. Right from the Begining. X This Band Are So Close to my Heart X They Take your Breathe Away. XXX John Waite. X Michael Corby X Right Up There. As British Bands go. X This Band Definitely Deserves So much more Credit, than what it got. Without Michael Corby I Don't think the Band would have taken off the Ground. X This Band Are One of the Best things, that came out of the Early-Mid Seventies. We Were around at the time. And from where we were standing They Sounded .....UNBELIEVABLE COOL X Still Listening Today 2020 and Still Sounds Good As Ever. Thankyou GUYS.!!!! For Everything.!!! The Best Songs on the Planet. Straight Down the Line XXX. Humanity. ice-maiden

[@williamking8033]

Great singer.