Badfinger

Badfinger began life in Wales in 1964 as The Iveys. After honing their approach as a support act for groups including The Who, The Spencer Davis Group and The Yardbirds, in late 1966 The Iveys cut their first demo with producer Ray Davies.

But rarely has a recording group had so much apparent opportunity and so much bad luck.

Paul McCartney discovered Badfinger's demo and signed them to The Beatles' Apple label.  He also penned their first hit, Come And Get It, which was featured (along with a couple of their other songs) in the movie The Magic Christian and on their debut album, Magic Christian Music in 1970.

With their follow-up, No Dice, Badfinger's image as poor mans Beatles began to evaporate, due to the new sophistication found in the writing skills of all the band members. George Harrison and Todd Rundgren took turns producing their third album, Straight Up, which contained two more international hits, Baby Blue and Day After Day.

Poised to take advantage of this great success, Badfinger lost  momentum as Apple Records began to crumble under mismanagement and confusion.

In November 1973, the band released Ass - a good album but one that was a little rough around the edges - only months later, Badfinger released their self-titled debut album for Warner's. The album was an improvement over Ass, but it still suffered from the hasty release. Determined to get it right, Badfinger went into the studio with Chris Thomas and produced some of their very best music in Wish You Were Here.

Upon discovering a questionable disappearance of money from Badfinger's publishing account, Warner's pulled the record weeks after its release, in spite of glowing reviews. Undaunted but terribly upset by the situation, the band cut another album, Head First, which Warner's also barred from  release. 

Depressed by personal and professional problems, Pete Ham hanged himself in his garage on April 23, 1975.

After a five year break, Tom Evans and Joey Molland regrouped and released the patchy Airwaves on Elektra. The subsequent Say No More was even weaker. In 1983, frustrated over not receiving proper royalties and endless other business problems, Evans took his  own life. Molland sporadically continued with Badfinger during the rest of the 80s and 90s, hiring different sidemen for each tour, while also pursuing a solo career.

HISTORICAL NOTE
A central part of the tragic story of Badfinger involved manager Stan Polley, who the band claimed helped himself to their cash. Pete Ham's suicide note read; "Stan Polley is a soulless bastard. I will take him with me".

 

The Band
Pete Ham  Guitar, vocals, keyboards Mike Gibbins Drums	Tom Evans  Bass, vocals Joey Molland   Guitar, vocals	Ron Griffiths Bass