Bad English

BAD ENGLISH
Formed 1988, U.S.A.

Albums:
1989 Bad English
1991 Backlash
1995 Greatest Hits


History:
Considered by many to be one of AOR's most spectacular super groups, Bad English provided a perfect blend of radio-friendly rockers and powerful ballads.
Former Babys front man John Waite was enjoying a successful solo career when he signed with Epic records in 1988. However, for his next album he had decided he didn't want to continue as a solo artist, and instead wanted to build another band. He recruited former Babys alumni, bassist Ricky Phillips and keyboardist Jonathan Cain (an ex-Journey member). Cain names the band Bad English, and invites his former Journey colleague Neal Schon (guitar) to join. Schon brings along session drummer Deen Castronovo and the group is solidified.
In June of 1989 the debut album is released upon the public. It slowly reached #21 on the Billboard charts behind the #1 success of the second single, the ballad "When I See You Smile". The album went platinum in America, and spawned another top ten hit in "Price Of Love."
Price of love video clip

During the recording of the follow-up disc, everything began to fall apart. Ego clashes led to dissention over which direction the band's music should take. Waite felt he was being forced to sing songs he didn't like, and the tension between members led to the bands dissolution shortly after the release of Backlash. The album proved to be a major flop compared to the debut, peaking out at #72 on the charts, with no hit singles.
Schon and Castronovo jumped ship to join the harder rocking Hardline, with Cain and Waite pursuing solo careers.

Links:
The Official John Waite Page
The Official Neal Schon Page
The Official Ricky Phillips Page
The Official Jonathan Cain Page