Bad English
American–English hard rock supergroup with one number-one hit.
Bad English was a hard rock supergroup formed in Los Angeles in 1988, blending American and English talent. The band brought together Journey keyboardist Jonathan Cain with singer John Waite and bassist Ricky Phillips—all former members of the Babys—alongside Journey guitarist Neal Schon and drummer Deen Castronovo. Their biggest hit, "When I See You Smile," topped the Billboard Hot 100 in November 1989.
The group's name came from a game of pool. After John Waite missed a shot, Jonathan Cain joked about his poor "english"—the spin on a cue ball—and the phrase stuck.
Their debut album, *Bad English*, sold well and produced three top-40 singles: the number-one "When I See You Smile," the top-10 "Price of Love," and "Possession." The first single, "Forget Me Not," peaked at number 45 on the Hot 100 but reached number 2 on the Mainstream Rock chart. Notably, "When I See You Smile" and "Don't Walk Away" were the only two songs written entirely by an outside writer, with no input from band members. "Best of What I Got" was a promotional rock radio single that cracked the top 10. In summer 1989, Bad English supported Bon Jovi on their Jersey Syndicate world tour, and from March to June 1990, they toured the US with Whitesnake.
The second album, *Backlash*, received little attention. Its sole single, "Straight to Your Heart," missed the top 40, peaking at number 42. Bassist Ricky Phillips later noted that the band had split before the album was mixed. Phillips and guitarist Neal Schon grew frustrated with the pop direction, wanting a harder edge, which ultimately led to the group's dissolution as members moved on.
After the breakup, John Waite said he loved playing to stadium crowds but disliked the corporate rock image the band projected, so he returned to solo work. Schon and Castronovo joined the rock band Hardline in 1991, but both left soon after its debut album—Schon for other projects, Castronovo to play with Ozzy Osbourne. In the mid-1990s, Schon reunited with Cain, who had released two solo albums, in a reformed Journey. Castronovo joined Journey in 1998, left in 2015, played with the Dead Daisies and Revolution Saints, and returned to Journey in 2021. Phillips returned to session work, recording with Coverdale/Page, Bobby Kimball, and Eddie Money, before joining Styx in the early 2000s.
"Best of What I Got" appeared during the credits of the 1989 film
- formed
- 1988
- origin
- Los Angeles, United States
- genre
- Hard rock
- nationality
- American–English
- known_for
- Hit single 'When I See You Smile'
Lore & Background
Bad English formed in 1988 after Journey disbanded, when Jonathan Cain and Neal Schon joined with John Waite. They were joined by Ricky Phillips and Deen Castronovo. The band's name came from a pool game: after Waite missed a shot, Cain commented on how bad his 'english' (spin on the cue ball) was, and the phrase stuck.
The band's first album, 'Bad English', was a big seller, producing three top-40 singles: the number-one hit 'When I See You Smile', the top-10 hit 'Price of Love', and 'Possession'. The first single, 'Forget Me Not', stalled at number 45 on the Hot 100 but reached number 2 on the Mainstream Rock chart. 'When I See You Smile' was notable as one of only two songs entirely written by an outside writer. In summer 1989, the band supported Bon Jovi on tour, and from March to June 1990 they toured the US with Whitesnake.
The second album, 'Backlash',
Reader's Guide
Bad English's significance lies in their brief but commercially successful run as a supergroup bridging the late-1980s hard rock and pop-metal scenes. Their debut album produced a number-one Billboard Hot 100 hit, 'When I See You Smile', which remains their most recognized song. The band's internal tensions over musical direction—between pop accessibility and a harder rock edge—ultimately led to their dissolution after only two albums. Their legacy is tied to the members' subsequent careers: Schon and Cain later reformed Journey, Castronovo joined Journey and other acts, Phillips joined Styx, and Waite returned to solo work. The band's story illustrates the challenges of balancing commercial success with artistic identity in a supergroup context.
Did You Know?
- The band's name originated from a pool game comment about John Waite's poor 'english' (spin on the cue ball).
- 'When I See You Smile' was one of only two Bad English songs entirely written by an outside writer.
- The band supported Bon Jovi on their Jersey Syndicate world tour in summer 1989.
- Ricky Phillips and Neal Schon wanted a harder edge, which contributed to the band's breakup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Bad English?
Bad English was a hard rock supergroup that formed in Los Angeles in 1988, blending American and British musicians. They are best remembered for their 1989 number-one single "When I See You Smile."
How did Bad English get their name?
The name came from a casual game of pool among the band members. Jonathan Cain teased John Waite about his poor "english"—the spin applied to a cue ball—after a missed shot, and the phrase stuck as the group's identity.
Who were the members of Bad English?
The lineup featured Journey keyboardist Jonathan Cain, singer John Waite, bassist Ricky Phillips, Journey guitarist Neal Schon, and drummer Deen Castronovo. Waite and Phillips had previously played together in the British band the Babys.
What was Bad English's biggest hit?
Their single "When I See You Smile" climbed to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in November 1989. It remains their only chart-topping single and their most widely recognized track.
What happened to Bad English after their debut?
Following their self-titled 1988 album and the subsequent hit single, the group eventually split up as members returned to their other commitments. Neal Schon and Deen Castronovo went back to Journey, while the others pursued solo work and side projects.
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