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While Jonathan was out promoting a record he had produced
for Michael Bolton, I was in Los Angeles looking for band members. About
two weeks later, Jonathan called me from New York and said he had run into
John Waite(The Babys) and that they had dinner the night before. One thing
led to another and within a short period of time the three of us found ourselves
in San Francisco writing what would become the first Bad English record. |
| Ricky Phillips |
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Finding a guitar player...
When we realized that the three ex Babys still sounded pretty good together
we started searching for a complimentary guitarist. We recorded daily in
Cain's studio and occasionally called Neal Schon(Journey) to come over and
blow down some solos. It didn't take long to realize Neal was the perfect
choice but he was in the middle of a solo record and wasn't sure he wanted
to jump into another band just yet. Just as we were about to hire someone
else, Neal flew to Los Angeles and threw his hat in the ring. |
| Neal Schon |
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The first CD...
Recording the first CD was relatively painless and we hit the road for 11
months straight. Sometimes opening and sometimes headlining. 'FORGET ME
NOT' broke into the top forty as our first single. 'WHEN I SEE YOU SMILE'
shot to #1 while 'BEST OF WHAT I GOT' went to #1 on the Rock Chart. 'POSSESSION'
stalled out at #16 and 'THE PRICE OF LOVE' blew by it to #3. 'HEAVEN IS
A FOUR LETTER WORD' followed to top 5 Rock Chart and 32 CHR. Some people
felt our best song had not been released yet but it was time to think of
another record. |
| 1st CD - Bad English |
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The second CD...
The follow up CD was very dark. Probably too quick of a change for radio
and the fans but it was very reflective of us at the time. We were growing
in many different directions. Neal and I were writing rough edged rock while
the two Johns were taking a somewhat softer approach. We threw in the towel
before it had even been mixed so its release was less than eventful. Strangely
enough, months later, a song I had written with John Waite and my friend
Jesse called 'TIME STOOD STILL' became a hit in Europe and the theme song
for Heineken Beer in Holland. |
| 2nd CD - Backlash |
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Bad English at its core rocked hard and we had some wild times around
the globe. I have great respect for the musicianship of everyone in that
band. Right or wrong everyone forged his own musical style...and that's
Rock n' Roll. When it worked it was pretty amazing." |
| The Band |
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Bad English band members were: Ricky Phillips (bass guitar), John
Waite (lead vocals), Jonathan
Cain (keyboards), Neal Schon
(lead guitar), Deen Castronovo (percussion). |
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| For more pics of Bad English, visit the picture
gallery. |
