Former Babys Lead Singer Says Playing Duct Tape Festival is a Homecoming

For former Babys and Bad English front man John Waite, headlining the Avon Heritage Duct Tape Festival is almost a homecoming.

The British-born Waite, who enjoyed massive success in the 1970s and 80s with songs such as Isn’t it Time, Every Time I Think of You, Missing You and When I See You Smile got his first taste of America in 1975, living in Northfield.

“I have a strong love for Ohio,” Waite told Patch. “It was the first piece of America I ever saw.”

In 1975, Waite landed in Cleveland, making a house in Northfield his first home. During a telephone interview, Waite rattles off fond Cleveland Rock and Roll memories.

“MMS. Kid Leo. The Agora, the ballroom” he said. “It was just great.  Cleveland feels like home. It’s got tremendous heart." 

He said Cleveland’s great radio and rock and roll atmosphere was an ideal place for a young rocker.

He said the city is the right place for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

He’ll be back in the Cleveland area on June 14, headlining the Duct Tape Festival’s opening night. Those heading to the concert will hear a mix of old and new, including possible cuts from his latest CD, Rough and Tumble.

“I never know what we’re going to sing until we get backstage,” he said, adding it might depend on the crowd and the vibe. “It will be a cross section of a lifetime of music, or 40 years of songs. We usually pick the best ones.”

Despite picking the songs he says he likes best, he understands there will be concertgoers hoping for a different set.

“You really can’t win,” he said, adding sometimes people will come up during a show with their favorites.

Rough and Tumble, released in 2011, has a decidedly more hard-rock sound. “You just can’t tell; it’s a weird thing,” he said of the album’s cut list and which songs would be most popular.

One of the CD’s songs, If You Ever Get Lonely is being released June 3 by the country band, Love and Theft.

Waite will be playing with the band he currently tours with.

“We’re pretty good, pretty confident,” he said.

After performing at the Duct Tape Festival, he’ll continue touring, following a year performing throughout the United States and Australia.

“Traveling in America, it’s still a very unusual country to travel in,” he said. “It’s very different. I have to get up at the crack of dawn.”

His next album, John Waite All Access will be released shortly.

“Then in September, it’s back in the studio,” he said.

Waite will perform on Friday, June 14 at 9:30 p.m. at the Festival’s main stage, following national touring artists, Concordia.