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{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{About|the band|other uses|Broken English (disambiguation)|and|Bad English (disambiguation)}}
{{About|the band|other uses|Broken English (disambiguation)|and|Bad English (disambiguation)}}
{{short description|American glam metal supergroup}}
{{short description|American rock band}}

{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Bad English
| name = Bad English
| image = Bad English.jpg
| image = Bad English.jpg
| caption = Bad English, clockwise L-to-R: Neal Schon, Deen Castronovo, Ricky Phillips, Jonathan Cain, and John Waite
| caption = Bad English, clockwise L-to-R: Neal Schon, Deen Castronovo, Ricky Phillips, Jonathan Cain, and John Waite
| image_size =
| image_size =
| origin = [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], U.S.
| origin = [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], U.S.
| instrument =
| instrument =
| genre = {{hlist|[[Glam metal]]<ref>{{Cite book |last=Popoff |first=Martin |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/858901054 |title=The big book of hair metal : the illustrated oral history of heavy metal's debauched decade |date=August 15, 2014 |isbn=978-0-7603-4546-7 |location=Minneapolis, MN |pages=171, 209 |oclc=858901054 |access-date=March 10, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-05-02 |title=Yahoo! Ranks Hair Metal Bands, Causes Me To Pull My Hair Out |url=https://www.idolator.com/386643/yahoo-ranks-hair-metal-bands-causes-me-to-pull-my-hair-out?view-all |access-date=2021-04-23 |website=idolator}}</ref>|[[hard rock]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bad English &#124; Biography, Albums, Streaming Links |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bad-english-mn0000077264 |access-date=31 October 2019 |website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref>|[[heavy metal music|heavy metal]]<ref>{{Citation |title=80's Rock, Vol. 2 - Various Artists {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/80s-rock-vol-2-mw0000603382 |language=en |access-date=2021-04-02}}</ref>}}
| genre = {{hlist||[[Hard rock]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bad English &#124; Biography, Albums, Streaming Links |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bad-english-mn0000077264 |access-date=October 31, 2019 |website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref>|[[Arena rock]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Everley |first=Dave |date=2017-07-17 |title=Bad English - Bad English album review |url=https://www.loudersound.com/reviews/bad-english-bad-english-album-review |access-date=2023-07-30 |website=[[Louder (website)|Louder]]}}</ref>|{{nowrap|[[glam metal]]<ref>{{Cite book |last=Popoff |first=Martin |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/858901054 |title=The big book of hair metal: the illustrated oral history of heavy metal's debauched decade |date=August 15, 2014 |isbn=978-0-7603-4546-7 |location=Minneapolis, MN |pages=171, 209 |oclc=858901054 |access-date=March 10, 2021}}</ref>}}}}
| years_active = 1987–1991
| years_active = 1987–1991
| label = [[Epic Records|Epic]]
| label = [[Epic Records|Epic]]
| associated_acts = {{hlist|[[Journey (band)|Journey]]|[[The Babys]]|[[Styx (band)|Styx]]|[[Santana (band)|Santana]]|[[Hardline (band)|Hardline]]}}
| spinoff_of = {{hlist|[[The Babys]]|[[Journey (band)|Journey]]}}
| past_members = [[John Waite]]<br/>[[Neal Schon]]<br/>[[Jonathan Cain]]<br/>[[Ricky Phillips]]<br/>[[Deen Castronovo]]
| past_members = [[John Waite]]<br />[[Neal Schon]]<br />[[Jonathan Cain]]<br />[[Ricky Phillips]]<br />[[Deen Castronovo]]
}}
}}


'''Bad English''' was an [[United States|American]]/[[United Kingdom|British]] [[glam metal]] [[Supergroup (music)|supergroup]] formed in 1987. It reunited [[Journey (band)|Journey]] keyboardist [[Jonathan Cain]] with singer [[John Waite]] and bassist [[Ricky Phillips]], his former bandmates in [[The Babys]], along with Journey guitarist [[Neal Schon]] and drummer [[Deen Castronovo]].
'''Bad English''' was an American/British [[hard rock]] [[Supergroup (music)|supergroup]] formed in 1987. It reunited [[Journey (band)|Journey]] keyboardist [[Jonathan Cain]] with singer [[John Waite]] and bassist [[Ricky Phillips]], his former bandmates in [[the Babys]], along with Journey guitarist [[Neal Schon]] and drummer [[Deen Castronovo]]. The band is known for their hit single "[[When I See You Smile]]", which peaked at number 1 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] in November 1989.<ref name="Hot 100">{{Cite magazine |title=Hot 100 |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/bad-english/chart-history |access-date=March 16, 2021 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref>

The band is mainly known for their hit single "[[When I See You Smile]]", which peaked at No. 1 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] in November 1989.<ref name="Hot 100">{{Cite magazine |title=Hot 100 |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/bad-english/chart-history |access-date=2021-03-16 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref>


== History ==
== History ==
The members decided on a name for the band while playing [[Pocket billiards|pool]]. John Waite missed a shot and Jonathan Cain made a comment on how bad his "{{Cuegloss|English|english}}" was (referring to the spin a player puts on the [[cue ball]]), and the band decided to use the phrase.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://library.thinkquest.org/4626/rock.htm |title= Rock Band Name Origins at WHAT'S IN A NAME| website= thinkquest.org| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20060831050940/http://library.thinkquest.org/4626/rock.htm |archivedate=2006-08-31 |publisher= | first= | last= | date= | access-date= }}</ref>
The members decided on a name for the band while playing [[Pocket billiards|pool]]. John Waite missed a shot and Jonathan Cain made a comment on how bad his "{{Cuegloss|English|english}}" was (referring to the spin a player puts on the [[cue ball]]), and the band decided to use the phrase.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://library.thinkquest.org/4626/rock.htm |title= Rock Band Name Origins at WHAT'S IN A NAME| website= thinkquest.org| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20060831050940/http://library.thinkquest.org/4626/rock.htm |archivedate=August 31, 2006 |publisher= | first= | last= | date= | access-date= }}</ref>


Jonathan Cain and guitarist Neal Schon, members of the successful rock band [[Journey (band)|Journey]], formed Bad English with Waite after Journey disbanded.<ref>{{cite news| url= http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=LA&p_theme=la&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EF5B9CC38A9C208&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |title= A Rousing Reception for Bad English| work=[[Daily News of Los Angeles]]| date= January 29, 1990| via= newsbank.com| access-date= }}</ref> They were joined by Ricky Phillips, who had played bass for [[The Babys]] on two albums with Waite and Cain, and drummer Deen Castronovo.
Jonathan Cain and guitarist Neal Schon, members of the successful rock band [[Journey (band)|Journey]], formed Bad English with Waite after Journey disbanded.<ref>{{cite news| url= http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=LA&p_theme=la&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EF5B9CC38A9C208&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |title= A Rousing Reception for Bad English| work=[[Daily News of Los Angeles]]| date= January 29, 1990| via= newsbank.com| access-date= }}</ref> They were joined by Ricky Phillips, who had played bass for [[the Babys]] on two albums with Waite and Cain, and drummer Deen Castronovo.


===[[Bad English (album)|First album]]===
=== [[Bad English (album)|First album]] ===
The band's first album, [[Bad English (album)|Bad English]], was a big seller. It contained three top-40 hit singles: the [[Billboard Hot 100|number one]] hit "[[When I See You Smile]]", the top 10 hit "[[Price of Love (Bad English song)|Price of Love]]", and "Possession".
The band's first album, ''[[Bad English (album)|Bad English]]'', was a big seller. It contained three top-40 hit singles: the number one hit "[[When I See You Smile]]", the top 10 hit "[[Price of Love (Bad English song)|Price of Love]]", and "Possession".


The album's first single, however, was "Forget Me Not." It stalled outside the Top 40 at #45, but the single peaked at #2 on the Mainstream Rock chart. The second single, "When I See You Smile", was their biggest hit, peaking at #1 on the Hot 100. The song is also notable for being the only song entirely written by an outside writer without help from at least one member in the band, besides "Don't Walk Away".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Giles |first=Jeff |date=June 26, 2015 |title=How Journey and The Babys Alumni Rose and Fell in Bad English |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/bad-english/ |access-date=March 16, 2021 |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |publisher= |language=en}}</ref> "Best of What I Got" was released as a promotional single to [[Mainstream rock|Rock Radio]], where the tune cracked the top 10.<ref name="MR" />
The album's first single, however, was "Forget Me Not". It stalled outside the top 40 at number 45, but the single peaked at number 2 on the [[Mainstream Rock]] chart. The second single, "When I See You Smile", was their biggest hit, peaking at number 1 on the Hot 100. The song is also notable for being one of only two songs (the other being "Don't Walk Away") to be entirely written by an outside writer without help from at least one member of the band.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Giles |first=Jeff |date=June 26, 2015 |title=How Journey and The Babys Alumni Rose and Fell in Bad English |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/bad-english/ |access-date=March 16, 2021 |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |publisher= |language=en}}</ref> "Best of What I Got" was released as a promotional single to [[Mainstream rock|Rock Radio]], where the tune cracked the top 10.<ref name="MR" />


From March to June 1990, the band toured across the US with [[glam metal]] band [[Whitesnake]] in support of the album.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 4, 2008 |title=Life Story of John Waite - Bad English| url= http://www.johnwaite.com/lifestory/badenglish.htm |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20080704075015/http://www.johnwaite.com/lifestory/badenglish.htm|archivedate= July 4, 2008 |access-date=March 16, 2021 |website= johnwaite.com| publisher= }}</ref>
From March to June 1990, the band toured across the US with [[Whitesnake]] in support of the album.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 4, 2008 |title=Life Story of John Waite – Bad English| url= http://www.johnwaite.com/lifestory/badenglish.htm |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20080704075015/http://www.johnwaite.com/lifestory/badenglish.htm|archivedate= July 4, 2008 |access-date=March 16, 2021 |website= johnwaite.com| publisher= }}</ref>


===[[Backlash (Bad English album)|Second album]] and breakup===
=== [[Backlash (Bad English album)|Second album]] ===
The band's second album, [[Backlash (Bad English album)|Backlash]], came and went without any fanfare. The only single, "Straight to Your Heart," missed the Top 40, peaking at No.&nbsp;42. Ricky Phillips writes on his website that the group had parted company before the second album had been [[Audio mixing (recorded music)|mixed]]. Both Phillips and guitarist Neal Schon expressed frustration with the "pop" side of the band's songs and wanted a harder edge. In the end, it proved to be the band's undoing as everyone left to pursue other projects.
The band's second album, ''[[Backlash (Bad English album)|Backlash]]'', came and went without any fanfare. The only single, "Straight to Your Heart", missed the top 40, peaking at number 42. Ricky Phillips writes on his website that the group had parted company before the second album had been mixed. Both Phillips and guitarist Neal Schon expressed frustration with the "[[Pop music|pop]]" side of the band's music and wanted a harder edge. In the end, it proved to be the band's undoing as everyone left to pursue other projects.


=== Breakup ===
In later interviews, Waite revealed that although he loved playing to stadium-sized audiences, he was uncomfortable with the corporate rock image that he felt the band had presented. He returned to working as a solo artist. Schon and Castronovo joined the fledgling rock band [[Hardline (band)|Hardline]] in 1991; however, both would leave the group not long after the release of its debut album, with Schon pursuing other projects and Castronovo joining [[Ozzy Osbourne]]'s band. In the mid-1990s, Schon rejoined Cain, who had released two solo albums in the interim, in a reformed Journey. Castronovo also joined Journey in 1998, eventually leaving in 2015. He later became a member of [[the Dead Daisies]] and [[Revolution Saints]]. Meanwhile, Phillips returned to session work, recording with artists such as [[Coverdale/Page]], [[Bobby Kimball]], and [[Eddie Money]], before joining [[Styx (band)|Styx]] in the early 2000s.
In later interviews, Waite revealed that although he loved playing to stadium-sized audiences, he was uncomfortable with the [[corporate rock]] image that he felt the band had presented. He returned to working as a solo artist. Schon and Castronovo joined the fledgling rock band [[Hardline (band)|Hardline]] in 1991; however, both would leave the group not long after the release of its debut album, with Schon pursuing other projects and Castronovo joining [[Ozzy Osbourne]]'s band. In the mid-1990s, Schon rejoined Cain, who had released two solo albums in the interim, in a reformed Journey. Castronovo also joined Journey in 1998, eventually leaving in 2015. He later became a member of [[the Dead Daisies]] and [[Revolution Saints]] before returning to Journey in 2021. Meanwhile, Phillips returned to session work, recording with artists such as [[Coverdale/Page]], [[Bobby Kimball]] and [[Eddie Money]] before joining [[Styx (band)|Styx]] in the early 2000s.


==In popular culture==
== In popular culture ==
"Best of What I Got" from the band's first album, is featured during the credits to the 1989 movie ''[[Tango & Cash]]'', starring [[Sylvester Stallone]] and [[Kurt Russell]].<ref>{{Citation |title=Tango & Cash (1989) - IMDb |url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098439/soundtrack |access-date=2021-03-16}}</ref>
"Best of What I Got", from the band's first album, is featured during the credits to the 1989 movie ''[[Tango & Cash]]'' starring [[Sylvester Stallone]] and [[Kurt Russell]].<ref>{{Citation |title=Tango & Cash (1989) – IMDb |url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098439/soundtrack |access-date=March 16, 2021}}</ref>


==Band members==
== Band members ==
* [[John Waite]] - lead vocals
* [[John Waite]] – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
* [[Neal Schon]] - lead guitar, backing vocals
* [[Neal Schon]] – lead guitar, backing vocals
* [[Jonathan Cain]] - keyboards, piano, rhythm guitar, backing vocals
* [[Jonathan Cain]] – keyboards, piano, rhythm guitar, backing vocals
* [[Ricky Phillips]] - bass, backing vocals
* [[Ricky Phillips]] – bass, backing vocals
* [[Deen Castronovo]] - drums, percussion, backing vocals
* [[Deen Castronovo]] – drums, percussion, backing vocals


== Discography ==
== Discography ==
Line 53: Line 54:
! rowspan="2"| Album details
! rowspan="2"| Album details
! colspan="6"| Peak chart positions
! colspan="6"| Peak chart positions
! rowspan="2"| [[Music recording sales certification|Certifications]]<br><small>([[List of best selling music artists|sales threshold]])</small>
! rowspan="2"| [[Music recording sales certification|Certifications]]<br /><small>([[List of best selling music artists|sales threshold]])</small>
|- style="font-size:smaller;"
|- style="font-size:smaller;"
! width="30"| [[Billboard 200|US]]<br><ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Billboard 200 |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/bad-english/chart-history/tlp/ |access-date=2021-03-16 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref>
! width="30"| [[Billboard 200|US]]<br /><ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Billboard 200 |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/bad-english/chart-history/tlp/ |access-date=March 16, 2021 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref>
! width="30"| [[ARIA Charts|AUS]]<br><ref>{{Cite web |title=australian-charts.com - Australian charts portal |url=http://www.australian-charts.com/search.asp?cat=a&search=Bad+English |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011205338/http://www.australian-charts.com/search.asp?cat=a&search=Bad+English |archive-date=2012-10-11 |access-date=2010-01-23 |publisher=australian-charts.com}}</ref>
! width="30"| [[ARIA Charts|AUS]]<br /><ref>{{Cite web |title=australian-charts.com – Australian charts portal |url=http://www.australian-charts.com/search.asp?cat=a&search=Bad+English |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011205338/http://www.australian-charts.com/search.asp?cat=a&search=Bad+English |archive-date=October 11, 2012 |access-date=January 23, 2010 |publisher=australian-charts.com}}</ref><ref name="aus2">{{cite web|url=https://www.bubblingdownunder.com/2022/10/week-commencing-14-october-1991.html| title=Bubbling Down Under Week Commencing October 14, 1991|website=Bubbling Down Under|access-date=October 14, 2022}}</ref>
! width="30"| [[Canadian Albums Chart|CAN]]<br><ref>{{Cite web |title=Results - RPM - Library and Archives Canada: Top Albums/CDs |url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-110.01-e.php?PHPSESSID=lq498cep6giiqq58vjqcsvvs20&q1=Bad+English&q2=Top+Albums%2FCDs&interval=20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017235408/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-110.01-e.php?PHPSESSID=lq498cep6giiqq58vjqcsvvs20&q1=Bad+English&q2=Top+Albums%2FCDs&interval=20 |archive-date=2012-10-17 |access-date=2010-08-11 |publisher=[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]}}</ref>
! width="30"| [[Canadian Albums Chart|CAN]]<br /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Results – RPM – Library and Archives Canada: Top Albums/CDs |url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-110.01-e.php?PHPSESSID=lq498cep6giiqq58vjqcsvvs20&q1=Bad+English&q2=Top+Albums%2FCDs&interval=20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017235408/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-110.01-e.php?PHPSESSID=lq498cep6giiqq58vjqcsvvs20&q1=Bad+English&q2=Top+Albums%2FCDs&interval=20 |archive-date=October 17, 2012 |access-date=August 11, 2010 |publisher=[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]}}</ref>
! width="30"| [[Sverigetopplistan|SWE]]<br><ref>{{Cite web |title=swedishcharts.com - Swedish charts portal |url=http://swedishcharts.com/search.asp?cat=a&search=bad+english |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024114142/http://swedishcharts.com/search.asp?cat=a&search=bad+english |archive-date=2012-10-24 |access-date=2010-01-23 |publisher=swedishcharts.com}}</ref>
! width="30"| [[Sverigetopplistan|SWE]]<br /><ref>{{Cite web |title=swedishcharts.com – Swedish charts portal |url=http://swedishcharts.com/search.asp?cat=a&search=bad+english |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024114142/http://swedishcharts.com/search.asp?cat=a&search=bad+english |archive-date=October 24, 2012 |access-date=January 23, 2010 |publisher=swedishcharts.com}}</ref>
! width="30"| [[Swiss Music Charts|SWI]]<br><ref>{{Cite web |title=hitparade.ch - Swiss charts portal |url=http://hitparade.ch/search.asp?search=bad+english&cat=a |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110203036/http://hitparade.ch/search.asp?search=bad+english&cat=a |archive-date=2012-11-10 |access-date=2010-01-23 |publisher=hitparde.ch}}</ref>
! width="30"| [[Swiss Music Charts|SWI]]<br /><ref>{{Cite web |title=hitparade.ch – Swiss charts portal |url=http://hitparade.ch/search.asp?search=bad+english&cat=a |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110203036/http://hitparade.ch/search.asp?search=bad+english&cat=a |archive-date=November 10, 2012 |access-date=January 23, 2010 |publisher=hitparde.ch}}</ref>
! width="30"| [[UK Albums Chart|UK]]<br><ref name="occ">{{Cite web |title=Bad English - Full Official Chart History |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/25808/bad-english/ |access-date=20 January 2016 |website=Official Charts Company |publisher=Official Charts Company}}</ref>
! width="30"| [[UK Albums Chart|UK]]<br /><ref name="occ">{{Cite web |title=Bad English – Full Official Chart History |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/25808/bad-english/ |access-date=January 20, 2016 |website=Official Charts Company }}</ref>
|-
|-
| 1989
| 1989
Line 72: Line 73:
| —
| —
| 74
| 74
| align="left"|
| align="left"|
* [[Recording Industry Association of America|US]]: Platinum<ref name="RIAA">{{Cite web |title=Gold & Platinum |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/ |access-date=2021-03-16 |website=RIAA |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Recording Industry Association of America|US]]: Platinum<ref name="RIAA">{{Cite web |title=Gold & Platinum |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/ |access-date=March 16, 2021 |website=RIAA |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Canadian Recording Industry Association|CAN]]: Gold<ref>{{Cite web |title=Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA): Gold & Platinum |url=http://www.musiccanada.com/GPSearchResult.aspx?st=bad&ica=False&sa=english&sl=&smt=0&sat=-1&ssb=Artist |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130721100602/http://www.musiccanada.com/GPSearchResult.aspx?st=bad&ica=False&sa=english&sl=&smt=0&sat=-1&ssb=Artist |archive-date=2013-07-21 |access-date=2013-07-21 |publisher=[[Music Canada]]}}</ref>
* [[Canadian Recording Industry Association|CAN]]: Gold<ref>{{Cite web |title=Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA): Gold & Platinum |url=http://www.musiccanada.com/GPSearchResult.aspx?st=bad&ica=False&sa=english&sl=&smt=0&sat=-1&ssb=Artist |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130721100602/http://www.musiccanada.com/GPSearchResult.aspx?st=bad&ica=False&sa=english&sl=&smt=0&sat=-1&ssb=Artist |archive-date=July 21, 2013 |access-date=July 21, 2013 |publisher=[[Music Canada]]}}</ref>
|-
|-
| 1991
| 1991
Line 81: Line 82:
* Label: Epic Records
* Label: Epic Records
| 72
| 72
| —
| 159
| 34
| 34
| 21
| 21
| 30
| 30
| 64
| 64
|
|
|-
|-
| colspan="10" style="font-size:8pt"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart
| colspan="10" style="font-size:8pt"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart
Line 92: Line 93:
|}
|}


===Compilation albums===
=== Compilation albums ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
|-
Line 110: Line 111:
! rowspan="2"| Single
! rowspan="2"| Single
! colspan="6"| Peak chart positions
! colspan="6"| Peak chart positions
! rowspan="2"| [[Music recording sales certification|Certifications]]<br><small>([[List of best selling music artists|sales threshold]])</small>
! rowspan="2"| [[Music recording sales certification|Certifications]]<br /><small>([[List of best selling music artists|sales threshold]])</small>
! rowspan="2"| Album
! rowspan="2"| Album
|- style="font-size:smaller;"
|- style="font-size:smaller;"
! width="35"| [[Billboard Hot 100|US]]<br><ref name="Hot 100" />
! width="35"| [[Billboard Hot 100|US]]<br /><ref name="Hot 100" />
! width="35"| [[Adult Contemporary (chart)|US AC]]<br><ref name="AC">{{Cite magazine |title=Adult Contemporary |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/bad-english/chart-history/asi/ |access-date=2021-03-16 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref>
! width="35"| [[Adult Contemporary (chart)|US AC]]<br /><ref name="AC">{{Cite magazine |title=Adult Contemporary |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/bad-english/chart-history/asi/ |access-date=March 16, 2021 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref>
! width="35"| [[Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks|US Main]]<br><ref name="MR">{{Cite magazine |title=Mainstream Rock |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/bad-english/chart-history/rtt/ |access-date=2021-03-16 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref>
! width="35"| [[Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks|US Main]]<br /><ref name="MR">{{Cite magazine |title=Mainstream Rock |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/bad-english/chart-history/rtt/ |access-date=March 16, 2021 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref>
! width="35"| [[ARIA Charts|AUS]]<br><ref>{{Cite web |title=australian-charts.com - Australian charts portal |url=http://www.australian-charts.com/search.asp?search=Bad+English&cat=s |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016081416/http://www.australian-charts.com/search.asp?search=Bad+English&cat=s |archive-date=October 16, 2012 |access-date=December 5, 2010 |publisher=australian-charts.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bubblingdownunder.com/2021/06/week-commencing-11-june-1990.html|title=Week commencing 11 June 1990|website=bubblingdownunder|date=June 11, 2021|access-date=June 11, 2021}}</ref>
! width="35"| [[ARIA Charts|AUS]]<br /><ref>{{Cite web |title=australian-charts.com – Australian charts portal |url=http://www.australian-charts.com/search.asp?search=Bad+English&cat=s |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016081416/http://www.australian-charts.com/search.asp?search=Bad+English&cat=s |archive-date=October 16, 2012 |access-date=December 5, 2010 |publisher=australian-charts.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bubblingdownunder.com/2021/06/week-commencing-11-june-1990.html|title=Week commencing 11 June 1990|website=bubblingdownunder|date=June 11, 2021|access-date=June 11, 2021}}</ref><ref name="aus2" />
! width="35"| [[UK Singles Chart|UK]]<br><ref name="occ" />
! width="35"| [[UK Singles Chart|UK]]<br /><ref name="occ" />
! width="35"| [[Mega Charts|NL]]<br><ref>{{Cite web |title=dutchcharts.nl - Dutch charts portal |url=http://dutchcharts.nl/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Bad+English |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025054000/http://dutchcharts.nl/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Bad+English |archive-date=October 25, 2012 |access-date=February 24, 2011 |publisher=Hung Medien}}</ref>
! width="35"| [[Mega Charts|NL]]<br /><ref>{{Cite web |title=dutchcharts.nl – Dutch charts portal |url=http://dutchcharts.nl/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Bad+English |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025054000/http://dutchcharts.nl/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Bad+English |archive-date=October 25, 2012 |access-date=February 24, 2011 |publisher=Hung Medien}}</ref>
|-
|-
| rowspan="4"| 1989
| rowspan="4"| 1989
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| align="left" rowspan="6"| ''[[Bad English (album)|Bad English]]''
| align="left" rowspan="7"| ''[[Bad English (album)|Bad English]]''
|-
|-
| align="left"| "[[When I See You Smile]]"
| align="left"| "[[When I See You Smile]]"
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| 61
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| align="left"|
| align="left"|
* [[Recording Industry Association of America|US]]: Gold<ref name="RIAA" />
* [[Recording Industry Association of America|US]]: Gold<ref name="RIAA" />
* [[ARIA Charts|AUS]]: Platinum<ref name="ausye">{{Cite web |title=1990 ARIA Singles Chart |url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/1990/singles-chart |access-date=August 13, 2020 |publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]]}}</ref>
* [[ARIA Charts|AUS]]: Platinum<ref name="ausye">{{Cite web |title=1990 ARIA Singles Chart |url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/1990/singles-chart |access-date=August 13, 2020 |publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]]}}</ref>
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| align="left"| "Best of What I Got"
| align="left"| "Best of What I Got"
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| rowspan="2"| 1990
| rowspan="3"| 1990
| align="left"| "Heaven Is a 4 Letter Word"
| align="left"| "Heaven Is a 4 Letter Word"
| 66
| 66
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| align="left"| "Possession"
| align="left"| "Possession"
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| align="left"| "Don't Walk Away"
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| 110
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| rowspan="2"| 1991
| rowspan="2"| 1991
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| 116
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| 41
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| align="left" rowspan="2"| ''[[Backlash (Bad English album)|Backlash]]''
| align="left" rowspan="2"| ''[[Backlash (Bad English album)|Backlash]]''
|-
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| align="left"| "Time Stood Still" <br><small>(featuring [[John Waite]])</small>
| align="left"| "Time Stood Still"
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| align="center" colspan="10" style="font-size:8pt"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or not released to that country
| align="center" colspan="10" style="font-size:8pt"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or not released to that country
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==See also==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
*[[List of glam metal bands and artists]]


==References==
==External links==
{{reflist|2}}
*{{allmusic}}


{{Bad English}}
{{Bad English}}
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[[Category:1987 establishments in California]]
[[Category:1991 disestablishments in California]]
[[Category:1991 disestablishments in California]]
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[[Category:American heavy metal supergroups]]
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[[Category:American rock music supergroups]]
[[Category:Arena rock musical groups]]
[[Category:Epic Records artists]]
[[Category:Epic Records artists]]
[[Category:Glam metal musical groups from California]]
[[Category:Glam metal musical groups from California]]
[[Category:Hard rock musical groups from California]]
[[Category:Hard rock musical groups from California]]
[[Category:Heavy metal musical groups from California]]
[[Category:Heavy metal musical groups from California]]
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[[Category:Heavy metal supergroups]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1987]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1987]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1991]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1991]]
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[[Category:Rock music supergroups]]

Latest revision as of 07:16, 26 October 2024

This article is about the band. For other uses, see Broken English (disambiguation) and Bad English (disambiguation).
Bad English
Bad English, clockwise L-to-R: Neal Schon, Deen Castronovo, Ricky Phillips, Jonathan Cain, and John Waite
Bad English, clockwise L-to-R: Neal Schon, Deen Castronovo, Ricky Phillips, Jonathan Cain, and John Waite
Background information
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres
Years active1987–1991
LabelsEpic
Spinoff of
Past membersJohn Waite
Neal Schon
Jonathan Cain
Ricky Phillips
Deen Castronovo

Bad English was an American/British hard rock supergroup formed in 1987. It reunited Journey keyboardist Jonathan Cain with singer John Waite and bassist Ricky Phillips, his former bandmates in the Babys, along with Journey guitarist Neal Schon and drummer Deen Castronovo. The band is known for their hit single "When I See You Smile", which peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in November 1989.[4]

History

[edit]

The members decided on a name for the band while playing pool. John Waite missed a shot and Jonathan Cain made a comment on how bad his "english" was (referring to the spin a player puts on the cue ball), and the band decided to use the phrase.[5]

Jonathan Cain and guitarist Neal Schon, members of the successful rock band Journey, formed Bad English with Waite after Journey disbanded.[6] They were joined by Ricky Phillips, who had played bass for the Babys on two albums with Waite and Cain, and drummer Deen Castronovo.

First album

[edit]

The band's first album, Bad English, was a big seller. It contained three top-40 hit singles: the number one hit "When I See You Smile", the top 10 hit "Price of Love", and "Possession".

The album's first single, however, was "Forget Me Not". It stalled outside the top 40 at number 45, but the single peaked at number 2 on the Mainstream Rock chart. The second single, "When I See You Smile", was their biggest hit, peaking at number 1 on the Hot 100. The song is also notable for being one of only two songs (the other being "Don't Walk Away") to be entirely written by an outside writer without help from at least one member of the band.[7] "Best of What I Got" was released as a promotional single to Rock Radio, where the tune cracked the top 10.[8]

From March to June 1990, the band toured across the US with Whitesnake in support of the album.[9]

Second album

[edit]

The band's second album, Backlash, came and went without any fanfare. The only single, "Straight to Your Heart", missed the top 40, peaking at number 42. Ricky Phillips writes on his website that the group had parted company before the second album had been mixed. Both Phillips and guitarist Neal Schon expressed frustration with the "pop" side of the band's music and wanted a harder edge. In the end, it proved to be the band's undoing as everyone left to pursue other projects.

Breakup

[edit]

In later interviews, Waite revealed that although he loved playing to stadium-sized audiences, he was uncomfortable with the corporate rock image that he felt the band had presented. He returned to working as a solo artist. Schon and Castronovo joined the fledgling rock band Hardline in 1991; however, both would leave the group not long after the release of its debut album, with Schon pursuing other projects and Castronovo joining Ozzy Osbourne's band. In the mid-1990s, Schon rejoined Cain, who had released two solo albums in the interim, in a reformed Journey. Castronovo also joined Journey in 1998, eventually leaving in 2015. He later became a member of the Dead Daisies and Revolution Saints before returning to Journey in 2021. Meanwhile, Phillips returned to session work, recording with artists such as Coverdale/Page, Bobby Kimball and Eddie Money before joining Styx in the early 2000s.

[edit]

"Best of What I Got", from the band's first album, is featured during the credits to the 1989 movie Tango & Cash starring Sylvester Stallone and Kurt Russell.[10]

Band members

[edit]

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
Year Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
(sales threshold)
US
[11] 		AUS
[12][13] 		CAN
[14] 		SWE
[15] 		SWI
[16] 		UK
[17]
1989 Bad English 21 12 34 39 — 74
1991 Backlash
  • Release date: August 1991
  • Label: Epic Records
 72 159 34 21 30 64
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Compilation albums

[edit]
Year Album details
1995 Greatest Hits

Singles

[edit]
Year Single Peak chart positions Certifications
(sales threshold) 		Album
US
[4] 		US AC
[20] 		US Main
[8] 		AUS
[21][22][13] 		UK
[17] 		NL
[23]
1989 "Forget Me Not" 45 — 2 — — — Bad English
"When I See You Smile" 1 11 10 4 61 —
"Price of Love" 5 38 30 44 80 —
"Best of What I Got" — — 9 — — —
1990 "Heaven Is a 4 Letter Word" 66 — 12 124 — —
"Possession" 21 42 — — — —
"Don't Walk Away" — — — — 110 —
1991 "Straight to Your Heart" 42 — 9 116 — 41 Backlash
"Time Stood Still" — — — — — 19
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or not released to that country

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Bad English | Biography, Albums, Streaming Links". AllMusic. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
  2. ^ Everley, Dave (July 17, 2017). "Bad English - Bad English album review". Louder. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  3. ^ Popoff, Martin (August 15, 2014). The big book of hair metal: the illustrated oral history of heavy metal's debauched decade. Minneapolis, MN. pp. 171, 209. ISBN 978-0-7603-4546-7. OCLC 858901054. Retrieved March 10, 2021.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  4. ^ a b "Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  5. ^ "Rock Band Name Origins at WHAT'S IN A NAME". thinkquest.org. Archived from the original on August 31, 2006.
  6. ^ "A Rousing Reception for Bad English". Daily News of Los Angeles. January 29, 1990 – via newsbank.com.
  7. ^ Giles, Jeff (June 26, 2015). "How Journey and The Babys Alumni Rose and Fell in Bad English". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  8. ^ a b "Mainstream Rock". Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  9. ^ "Life Story of John Waite – Bad English". johnwaite.com. July 4, 2008. Archived from the original on July 4, 2008. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  10. ^ Tango & Cash (1989) – IMDb, retrieved March 16, 2021
  11. ^ "Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  12. ^ "australian-charts.com – Australian charts portal". australian-charts.com. Archived from the original on October 11, 2012. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
  13. ^ a b "Bubbling Down Under Week Commencing October 14, 1991". Bubbling Down Under. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  14. ^ "Results – RPM – Library and Archives Canada: Top Albums/CDs". RPM. Archived from the original on October 17, 2012. Retrieved August 11, 2010.
  15. ^ "swedishcharts.com – Swedish charts portal". swedishcharts.com. Archived from the original on October 24, 2012. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
  16. ^ "hitparade.ch – Swiss charts portal". hitparde.ch. Archived from the original on November 10, 2012. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
  17. ^ a b "Bad English – Full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  18. ^ a b "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  19. ^ "Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA): Gold & Platinum". Music Canada. Archived from the original on July 21, 2013. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
  20. ^ "Adult Contemporary". Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  21. ^ "australian-charts.com – Australian charts portal". australian-charts.com. Archived from the original on October 16, 2012. Retrieved December 5, 2010.
  22. ^ "Week commencing 11 June 1990". bubblingdownunder. June 11, 2021. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
  23. ^ "dutchcharts.nl – Dutch charts portal". Hung Medien. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved February 24, 2011.
  24. ^ "1990 ARIA Singles Chart". ARIA. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
[edit]
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