In his 40-plus years in rock, John Waite has seemingly been everywhere. He started off in The Babys, who had hits in the late 1970s with “Isn’t It Time” and “Everytime I Think Of You.” His first solo hit was 1982’s “Change,” as followed up with more charting singles like “Missing You,” “Tears,” and “Restless Heart.” After a string of soundtrack songs, John was back in a band in the late 1980s. Playing alongside Journey’s Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain in Bad English, he had big international hits with “When I See You Smile” and “Price Of Love.” In the mid-2000s, John had a reunion of sorts, opening for his former Journey bandmates, following a run as a featured member of Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band. A “Missing You” duet with Alison Krauss charted in 2006.
John Waite remains active as ever in 2016, and will be playing at Long Island’s Boulton Center on Apr. 7 and The Iridium on Apr. 8 and 9. Credited as John Waite & The Axemen, John will be supported by bassist Tim Hogan and guitarist Mark Ricciardi, playing songs from throughout John’s career. But what many people may not realize about John is that these Iridium shows are sort of a homecoming for him, as he lived in New York for a long time.
Over e-mail, John kindly tackled some Q&A for Downtown. Beyond the recent acoustic EP Wooden Heart, readers may be delighted to know that the literary debut of John Waite may be coming soon. For more info on John, visit here, or follow him via his Twitter handle and Facebook page.
What do you wish more people knew about John Waite?
John Waite: That I have an acoustic EP out called Wooden Heart, and that I’m playing stripped down shows across America this summer. We will be doing full-band gigs on our days off!
You’ve been touring the world since the mid-1970s, but what do you remember about your first-ever gig in New York City? Where was it?
J: It was on the Upper East Side in an old beer hall. Gene [Simmons] and Paul [Stanley] from KISS came backstage to wish me luck.
What prompted your move to Santa Monica from New York City? Is there anything you miss about living in New York City?
J: I had been in the city or Westchester for 18 years. I was writing a lot of songs about Manhattan. [songs] like “Downtown,” “St. Patrick’s Day,” “Always Be Your Man,” and of course, “NYC Girl.” I adore the city, it’s my home, but I thought I’d get out for a year. The touring kicked in and I bought a place in Santa Monica so I had somewhere to come home to. It was easier than flying back from the road and dealing with a realtor. I’m English, but I’m also more at home in the city than anywhere else in the world.
When you were living in New York, what was a typical off-day like for you?
J: When I wasn’t working or writing I would go to the Met or MoMA. It was a weekly thing. The park was only two blocks away from Madison Avenue, so I’d drift through to the west side. I wound up below 14th Street most nights.
Per your upcoming show at The Iridium, what’s to be expected? Will you be playing songs from throughout your career, or focusing mostly on a particular era?
J: I’ve played the city a lot. Wooden Heart is kind of suited to quieter settings. Iridium is a small room, it should work well.
Do you have a favorite song to perform live these days?
J: I try to write songs that stand up on the acoustic guitar. Anything from Temple Bar or When You Were Mine works well.
How did your backing band The Axemen come together?
J: Tim’s been playing bass with me for about 10 years. Marc is sort of new. They come as a set.
Looking back, are you happy with how Rough & Tumble was received?
J: The title track from the last CD was Rough & Tumble. It went number one on classic rock radio. It shocked me as it’s full-out blues-rock but there you go. It felt great to have that success, but it doesn’t make any difference these days. Music is everywhere now and the charts don’t seem to matter. I couldn’t tell you who’s in the Top 10.
You’ve had hits as a solo artist, with The Babys, and with Bad English, with your professional success truly spanning the 70s, 80s and 90s. You also had a chart hit with Alison Krauss about a decade ago. Do you look at any particular period of your career most fondly?
J: The best stuff is still happening for me. I could say the mid-90’s were great, but Wooden Heart is as good, I sang well on it. Those two periods are related.
When you’re not busy with your career, how do you like to spend your free time?
J: I read a lot. I’ve been throwing myself into writing a novel. I’m good with prose. It comes easily, but the skill is something I’m learning as I go. It’s not three minutes of words and minor chords. I actually feel good about the work so far. I’m trying to write it like music.
Finally, John, any last words for the kids?
J: See you in the lights!
