Musician's Roots
Babcock was born in Nyack, New York to a Korean War U.S. Navy Vet and jazz drummer. At age six, his father introduced him to the drums, teaching him various styles of Rock, Jazz, Latin and Swing. Babcock was considered a prodigy on the drums before his age reached double-digits. He grew up in the golden ages of the 60's enjoying the music which encompassed it, falling in love with The Beatles. Lifelong, he has pursued his ideal of writing catchy, well-constructed pop gems in a similar style to the Fab Four (and other favored artists). Having already mastered drums, John turned his attention toward other instruments. Acquiring a bass guitar from a friend in middle school, John proceeded to absorb every McCartney-esque bass run and styling.
"His family recalls how one evening his Dad's band was considering canceling a gig because their bassist couldn't make it. John, barely 11, pleaded with his father - trying in vain to convince him that he could, in fact, pull off standing in for the AWOL musician. Finally, at the urging of his fellow band members, Jack Babcock figured "What the hell, let's see what the kid's got" - and John proceeded to blow away not only the crowd at the live venue but his father's fellow band mates as well. The "kid" didn't just keep up with the arrangements (most of which he had NEVER heard before that night) but he summarily impressed with his seemingly instinctual feel for all of the tunes in the 4-plus hours of the evening's act." ~Mr. Arlen Creedy, Oak Island, North Carolina.
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