Aside from all these ‘pressing’ matters, the remaining ‘Babes’ were busy picking up the pieces with three newly recruited members, keyboardist Jonathan Cain, bassist Ricky Phillips and vocalist ‘extra-extraordinaire’ ~ Annie Bertucci…

http://www.anniebertucci.com

                       

                       

~ Photographs by a ‘Very Welcome’ Phil Sharkey ~

”Almost immediately after the sacking, the remainder of the band went into auditions for a replacement. In fact, two other musicians were hired, with the idea, I believe, of promoting John Waite. Jonathan Cain in fact became Mike’s successor but I am sure he had not been selected until after Mike left. The other musician was Ricky Phillips who played bass. I think from what John, Wally and Tony said that it was they and not Chrysalis who selected these two successors. And I think that at about this same time Lookout Management ceased to be the band’s managers”

~ Ray Sheriff (former equipment manager & confidante) ~

~ Proof of Evidence Case: CH1987-S-No.406 filed in the High Court of Justice Chancery Division ~

~ European Beat Magazine with Clever Cartoon ~

The ‘MK II’ Babys began another successful U.S. tour and promptly recorded the first album with the new lineup, titled "Union Jacks" in early 1980…

 ~ Extraordinaire Photographs by Extraordinary Photographer Ken Jackson…and then some ~

http://www.ClassicRockConcertPhotos.com

The album included two extremely popular tracks, “Back On My Feet Again” and “Midnight Rendezvous” that remain a staple of most classic rock stations across America.

~ Autographed Union Jacks Album Cover from another ‘Lucky’ Fan ~

“Guys on the crew were Mark Russo, Kim Turner, Big Richard Main and Steve Clark [later with Journey]. The most fun seemed to be had on the tour bus. I wouldn’t say they [we] lived the ‘typical’ rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle, but there certainly were ‘moments.’ I got along best with Tony and Wally (I miss those guys). Jonathan was serious musician, straight as an arrow and Ricky was always a nice guy; whereas John was…‘a character.’ I was disappointed when the band decided not to go on the remainder of the tour [with Journey to Hawaii]. Instead, they decided to pack it into the studio and record their next album.”

~ Monty Foster (former drum & keyboard technician)

~ Stage Crew Laminate Courtesy of Monty Foster ~

The subsequent late 1980 U.S. tour promoted the group’s final album release aptly titled "On The Edge"…

~ Autographed ‘OTE’ Album Cover from an even ‘Luckier’ Fan ~

However, the tour was cut short with only two remaining shows, atop published reports that John Waite had ‘injured his knee’ onstage at The Palace in Cincinnati, Ohio. Leaks of an assortment of internal fractures signaled a possible end to the career of this once-promising British rock export.

“I’m very proud of The Babys [then], and I’m glad The Babys blew-up. We finished up our tour, at Chrysalis, and I…[pause]…I had an injury, I fell over and I hurt my leg and I had to quit the band to go to the hospital, and the band followed it. But we left it, on a really high note. The Babys are the most delinquent band I’ve ever been in…

But, it was My band [emphatically]…Wow [reflecting]…we were great!”

~ John Waite (‘OTR’ – cat# OTR 87-36) ~

~ Unused Ticket & Pin Button from the ‘Cancelled’ 1980 Tour ~

CONTINUED

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