Midnight Rendezvous (Live 1988 / Wildcard Remaster)

The song "Midnight Rendezvous," performed live in 1988 and featured on the Wildcard Remaster from the album John Waite No Brakes Tour LD, is a high-energy track originally by John Waite with his earlier band, The Babys. This song, co-written by Waite and Jonathan Cain, captures the rebellious spirit of a late-night drive with lyrics like "Driving faster than you want me to / Can't help myself when I'm alone with you." A fun piece of trivia comes from a 2023 post by Jonathan Cain on X, where he shared that "Midnight Rendezvous" was the first rock radio hit he wrote, composed in one afternoon in a Laurel Canyon garage with his brother Tommy on drums. Cain played electric guitar instead of his usual piano, giving the track its raw, driving edge.

Another tidbit about "Midnight Rendezvous" surfaced in a 2024 Substack post by Steve Goldberg, who noted its earworm quality and speculated about melodic similarities to Billy Joel’s "You May Be Right." Goldberg edited the choruses of both songs for comparison, suggesting a possible influence, though he couldn’t confirm whether Joel heard Waite’s riff before recording his own track. Fans on Reddit’s r/80s community have also praised the song, with one user recalling seeing The Babys open for Alice Cooper in 1979 and noting Waite’s commanding performance. The live 1988 version, with its crisp remaster, amplifies the song’s new wave and pop-rock fusion, a style Waite helped shape during his time with The Babys.

John Waite, born on July 4, 1952, in Lancaster, England, began his musical journey influenced by American blues, soul, and country, as well as Celtic folk from his homeland. Growing up in a working-class family, Waite was drawn to music early, inspired by Westerns and artists like Marty Robbins, whose gunfighter ballads he heard on BBC broadcasts. As a teenager, he attended Lancaster Art College, where he found music to be his true calling over visual arts. His first break came as a bass player in local bands, but a pivotal moment occurred when he was falsely accused of a jewel robbery, prompting him to leave his hometown. Soon after, he joined a jazz-rock group called England in London, marking the start of his professional career.

Waite’s rise to prominence came as the lead singer and bassist for The Babys, formed in the mid-1970s. The band achieved moderate success with hits like "Isn’t It Time" and "Everytime I Think of You," both reaching No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. After The Babys disbanded in 1981, following a freak incident where Waite injured his knee during a performance, he launched a solo career. His 1984 album No Brakes, featuring the No. 1 hit "Missing You," catapulted him to international fame. Waite later joined the supergroup Bad English, scoring another chart-topper with "When I See You Smile" in 1989. His career, spanning over four decades, reflects a blend of rock, pop, and introspective acoustic work, as seen in his Wooden Heart Acoustic Anthology.

Fans can connect with John Waite through his official website, where he shares updates on tours and new music. His social media presence includes Facebook, Instagram, and X, where he engages with followers and posts about his ongoing projects. For dedicated fans, the John Waite Fans Facebook group offers a community space to discuss his music and share concert experiences. Another fan-driven site, johnwaiteworldwide.com, mirrors his official page but includes additional fan-curated content, celebrating Waite’s enduring legacy in rock and pop.