Rock star John Waite proud of Lancaster roots on visit to home city

Thursday, 12 February 2026 12:12

By Greg Lambert @greglam72

John Waite and the team at The Brown Cow in Lancaster. Photo: The Brown Cow

Lancaster rock star John Waite has delighted residents on a visit back home.

The musician was back in town over the past week and popped in to city pubs the John O'Gaunt and the Brown Cow during his stay.

A post on the Brown Cow on Penny Street Facebook page said: "A visit from John Waite musician (Missing You 80s hit) to Brown Cow on a visit from America.

"Lovely guy."

John also visited Arnside and posted several pictures on his official Facebook page to show his love of the local area.

The star posted: "Thanks to all my family and friends for such a great time in my home town of Lancaster.

"A special shout out to all the staff of Ashton Manor. The best!"

John is pictured here in Arnside. Photo credit: John Waite

John began his music career in Lancaster, where he attended Greaves Secondary Modern school and the Storey Institute Art College.

During his visit home last week, he posted a picture of himself with the Storey Centre, former home of the Storey Institute Art College, in the background.

Waite gained success in the band The Babys, who made the US Top 20 in the late 1970s with 'Isn't it Time?' and 'Everytime I Think of You'.

He achieved worldwide fame when his rock ballad 'Missing You' reached number one in the Billboard Hot 100 in America in 1984, also cracking the UK Top 10.

John and his band Bad English also reached number one in the US Billboard charts with 'When I See You Smile' in 1989.

Waite often returns to Lancaster to visit friends and family including his mum, who is about to turn 101, and is very proud of his North West roots.

Here's John pictured with Andrew Reilly from Lancaster in the John O'Gaunt on Friday. Photo: Andrew Reilly.

He lives in California and continues to tour regularly.

While visiting Lancaster in 2024, he played some of his biggest hits to entertain residents at the Ashton Manor Care Home.

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