The band name born from a missed pool shot
In short: In 1987, a group of seasoned rock veterans from Journey and The Babys formed a supergroup. Their name wasn't chosen for its musicality or rebellion, but rather as a joke about a failed billiards move during a casual game of pool.
The band Bad English was established in Los Angeles in 1987, bringing together notable musicians from the rock scene. The lineup featured singer John Waite and bassist Ricky Phillips (formerly of The Babys), alongside Journey members Jonathan Cain and Neal Schon, with drummer Deen Castronovo. The group’s name originated from a specific moment of levity: while playing pool, Waite missed a shot, leading Cain to joke about how bad Waite's "english" was—referring to the spin placed on a cue ball. The band decided to adopt the phrase as their official moniker.
The group achieved immediate commercial success with their self-titled debut album. While the first single, "Forget Me Not," only reached number 45 on the Billboard Hot 100, the second single, "When I See You Smile," became a massive success, peaking at number 1 in November 1989. Interestingly, this hit was one of only two songs in the band's catalog entirely written by an outside writer without any contribution from the band members themselves. The album also produced the top 10 hit "Price of Love" and the single "Possession."
Despite their initial success, the band faced internal friction regarding their musical direction. While the group toured with giants like Bon Jovi and Whitesnake, tensions rose between the "pop" side of the music and the desire for a harder rock edge. This conflict contributed to the band's dissolution; Ricky Phillips noted that the group had actually parted ways before their second album, Backlash, was even mixed. By the mid-1990s, the members had scattered, with many eventually returning to their previous high-profile projects, including a reformed Journey.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Bad English
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