In March 2003, a chosen few attended a special dinner engagement marking Michael Corbys’ first return to Los Angeles with many offering photographs and personal remembrances. It was our first meeting and I encouraged those possessing special moments to offer theirs in writing. The first to respond was not only a charter member of ‘The Babys Appreciation Society,’ but The Corbys' former Nanny…
~ Martha Schliesser-Hicks caring for young Xavier Corby ~
The phenomenal music of the THE BABYS, whose founding member was Michael Corby, had a big impact in my life. I was 18 years old when I first discovered the group. It was the fall of 1977, during my first year away at college in the Midwest. THE BABYS big hit "Isn't It Time" was getting major airplay on the radio. I still remember running late for class, but just having to wait until the end of "Isn't It Time" before dashing off. I loved that song! Little did I know at the time, how much the band's music would soon mean to me, and how one of the band members, Michael Corby, would touch my life.
~ Rare 45 Picture Sleeves from Germany & Holland ~
A few months later, at Christmas-time, my twin sister and I were visiting our aunt and uncle in Berkeley, California, for the holidays. Late one evening, as we were about to turn in for the night, my sister turned on the TV that was in our room. (I had no idea that my life was about to change forever). There were THE BABYS on the program "Don Kirshner's Rock Concert." I was enraptured with the magical essence, talent, demeanor, and a hundred other things about the group that I can't even put into words. The next morning, I asked my worldlier cousin, Steve if he knew anything about THE BABYS. He had the album "Broken Heart" and liked the group a lot. I went right out and bought THE BABYS debut album and "Broken Heart." The music was beyond my expectations.
~ Television Guide Clipping Courtesy of Martha Schliesser-Hicks
~ Chrysalis Promotional Film stills Courtesy of APB Archives ~
Back at college, thanks to me, my roommate and friends soon became familiar with THE BABYS and their music. Another girl in my dorm joined me in listening sessions where we would lie in a room with the music on (as loud as we could get away with) and just enjoy the beauty of it. I would sometimes listen with total concentration on just one aspect of the music- just the guitar, or just the drums, or just the keyboards. The music became so ingrained in my brain, that I could "hear" it in my dreams as vividly as if it were actually being played. I knew they were the ultimate, perfect band. I bought magazine articles on the group, joined the fan club, and called radio stations to request more of THE BABYS' music.
In early fall of 1978, it was devastating to learn that Michael was out of the group. The initial story (which I read in shocked disbelief) was that Michael had been told to leave the group due to his wanting to go in a different musical direction. As the news sunk in, I fought back tears, feeling brokenhearted, both for him personally and for the fact that the band would never be the same. Even if the band continued and was great, it had lost the unique magical quality and excitement that the original foursome had together.
By that time, I was in my second year of college. I was in contact with a few other BABYS fans as pen pals, one of whom was a girl from California that claimed to baby-sit for Michael's son. She offered to take me to meet Michael if I could come to California. At first, the idea seemed totally farfetched…but then, I began to talk with my closest BABYS pen pal who invited me to join her in Minnesota and then head out to California with her. My studies at college were going well, but I had not yet settled on a major and did not have a distinct career path to work towards at that time. Leaving school to join this friend and head for California was a more exciting option, and I was ready for the adventure.
I left college in early January 1979, and went to Minnesota where I stayed with my friend for about a week. We talked to Michael on the phone during that time, which was really great. We took a Greyhound bus to California, and stayed in a hotel in Hollywood. After making arrangements by phone to come visit, we took a taxi to the Corby place up in the Hollywood Hills.
It was amazing and wonderful to actually meet Michael. He was very gracious to us. At our initial meeting, we chatted; he looked at some Babys pictures and articles we'd brought, and he played the piano for us. We also met Michael's wife, Evita and baby son, Xavier (pronounced Za-vie-ay).
~ Photograph by Martha Schliesser-Hicks ~
After a couple of days, my friend from Minnesota and I decided we really needed a car, so we took a bus back to Minnesota to get her car. We then drove straight through back to California, playing THE BABYS music nonstop as we drove, which helped keep us awake. We talked about the possibility of getting jobs and starting a new life in L.A.
Back in Hollywood, and equipped with a car, we went over to see Michael several times that week. I copied some BABYS articles and pictures for him. At the end of the week, Michael and Evita asked me if I would be a live-in baby sitter for Xavier. I was thrilled to accept. By that time, my friend was a bit homesick and ready to go back to Minnesota, so she was not too disappointed. I accompanied her home, and then headed back to L.A. one more time. It seemed unreal that I was going to be living at Michael's place.
I soon settled into my four-month stay with the Corbys. I slept on the couch in the front living room, and kept my things in a large closet. Xavier was a precious baby and was never a bit of trouble. I primarily took care of him in the mornings and evenings with feedings, diaper changes, baths, etc. Evita liked things kept very organized and clean, and we all tried to do our part. Michael had several interesting friends who sometimes came to visit, including a really nice musician from the group The Strangers.
A typical day started out with Xavier waking up about 6:30 a.m. I would get up and give him his bottle. About half an hour later, Michael would be up. (Evita slept in because she worked at the Roxy Theater in the evenings until 2 a.m.) Michael would make tea for us, and we'd drink it and chat while watching Xavier. Later in the morning, Evita would get up. After a few weeks, I got a part-time job at a FotoMat booth, fairly close by. Michael would drive me there in the late mornings, while barefooted and wearing his bathrobe to drop me off. He would always drive away with a honk and a wave.
In the evenings, Evita would go to work. Michael and I spent many an evening on the couch, chatting and watching TV. One of his favorite snacks was scrambled eggs with cheese and baco-bits that I'd make for us. (While sitting with Michael those first couple of weeks, I would often pause to marvel at my situation. I had been 1,500 miles away at college, with a poster of THE BABYS on my wall…seemingly with no realistic chance of ever meeting any of the band members…Suddenly, I was sitting with Michael in his home, chatting and watching TV with him. It was unbelievable).
Michael told many funny and interesting stories about behind-the-scenes situations with the band, being on tour, etc. I enjoyed getting to know Michael as a person. He would sometimes confide in me regarding his marriage, childhood, his past history in England, etc.
Michael had an aqua & white '54 Cadillac, of which he was very proud. One time, I went along with him on an errand to buy a replacement part for the car radio. While in line at the shop, there was a cassette tape rack at the checkout counter. I spun the rack and found "Broken Heart." It was neat to see Michael on the tape in the rack, and then to look over and see him standing in person next to me. On the way back home, we were on a side street, about to turn onto Hollywood Boulevard when a guy in the car next to us shouted "Hey, Mike!" They were fans that recognized him. One had a camera and snapped our picture. It was so fun. (And I could have been 1,500 miles away at college studying instead).
~ Photograph by Gary Shea ~
One evening, Michael went to a party, hosted by Al Stewart. When he got home, he said that Melissa Gilbert had been there and stared at him a lot.
~ Al, Evita, Michael & ‘Red Shoed Lady’ ~
A main highlight of my time with Michael was his daily piano playing. Hearing the lengthy practice sessions by a musician of his caliber…it still moves me to remember. I felt fortunate beyond words to be hearing these private concerts. At that time, he was working intensely on a beautiful song called "Memories Don't Fade Away," which he co-wrote. I would pay dearly to hear that song again…
Michael was preparing for a lawsuit against Chrysalis Records, regarding his being ousted from the band. It must have been a painfully hard time for him, yet he remained optimistic…
~ Portion of the Handwritten Affidavit ~
In dealing with domestic discord, he was amazingly calm, faithful, and maintained his sense of humor. He has a lot of inner strength and maturity. He was always a gentleman, always charming, and was a loving father to Xavier…
~ Photographs by Martha Schliesser-Hicks ~
In April 1979, it was apparent that Michael and Evita were separating, and that he would be returning to England. When the separation was imminent, I moved out shortly before Michael left for England. I gave him a bottle of Dom Perignon as a going-away present. He wrote me a good-bye letter that I treasured. I spoke on the phone with him once or twice after he returned to England. I stayed in California, and continued my education the following year.
I was so glad to get back in touch with Michael in 2001 (after 22 years!), and then to see him and spend time with him again during his 2003 trip to California. I will always hold dear my memories with Michael.
He is a gifted and remarkable person who deserves much happiness,
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