- - Legendary '80s Rocker, 73, Is 'Brilliant' in First Performance of 2026

Jacqueline Burt CoteJanuary 16, 2026 at 2:00 AM

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Photo by Donaldson Collection on Getty Images

Just about every major rock star out there is associated with at least one or two particularly popular hits...and John Waite is no different.

Formerly of The Babys, Waite soared to the top of the charts in the mid-80s with his solo smash, "Missing You" (and later in the same decade as a member of Bad English with the beloved ballad "When I See You Smile"). Now, all these years later, fans are just as thrilled as ever to hear Waite sing his famous tunes.

In a video shared to TikTok from the opening night of Waite's current tour on Jan. 10 at the Center for Rural Development in Somerset, Kentucky, the 73-year-old sounded just as amazing as ever singing "Missing You" for an enthusiastic crowd.

Fans in the comments were blown away by the performance.

"Great as ever," wrote one fan, with a second adding, "Brilliant!"

"Get it John!! One of my very FAVORITES from you," declared someone else.

According to Waite's official website, his current tour of the U.S. will extend through the spring, wrapping things up in Rancho Mirage, California, on May 15.

John Waite wrote 'Missing You' about three separate women

In an interview with Songwriting Magazine, Waite opened up about the inspiration behind his biggest hit.

“I was thinking about Glen Campbell’s 'Wichita Lineman' when I wrote the lyrics — it’s about distance and telegraph poles. Then there’s a big rock song by Free called 'Catch a Train' that’s about arriving somewhere. Neither of those songs had anything to do with it, but when I think of 'Missing You,' I think of those symbols that I had in my head."

“Also I was getting divorced," Waite continued. "I was trying to get home because my marriage was in genuine trouble — everything was wrong and it had been wrong for a while. I’d met someone in New York City when I was making my first solo album. I was alone and I was friends with another girl I met. So 'Missing You' was essentially about three different women, I think, looking back on it."

Certainly, countless fans have found the song relevant to their own romantic lives in the years since.

Related: '80s Rock Hitmaker, 66, Announces Epic International Tour

This story was originally published by Parade on Jan 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”