Badfinger |
Formed 1968 in London, England. Disbanded 1975. Re-formed 1978.
Originally signed to Apple Records as the Iveys, Pete Ham (b. 27 April 1947, Swansea, Wales, d. 23 April 1975; vocals), Mike Gibbons (b. 12 March 1949, Swansea, Wales; drums), Tom Evans (b. 5 June 1947, Liverpool, England, d. 23 November 1983; guitar) and Ron Griffiths (bass) changed their name following the release of two unsuccessful singles. Griffiths left the group in December 1969 and was replaced by Joey Molland (b. 21 June 1948, Liverpool, England). The new line-up then enjoyed an immediate hit on both sides of the Atlantic with 'Come And Get It', written by their label boss Paul McCartney. In order to increase their public profile, the group were invited to contribute to the soundtrack of the movie The Magic Christian, which starred Peter Sellers and Ringo Starr. The Beatles' patronage, on which the press were quick to seize, was reinforced by the group's sound, which had strong traces of the Fab Four influence, particularly on the vocals. 'No Matter What', another transatlantic Top 10 hit, compounded the Beatles comparisons, though it was a fine pop record in its own right. By the beginning of the 70s, Badfinger were something of an Apple house band and even appeared on three solo Beatle recordings ( All Things Must Pass, 'It Don't Come Easy' and Imagine ) as well as appearing at George Harrison's Bangla Desh benefit concert. The obvious songwriting talent that existed in the group was not fully revealed until 1972 when Nilsson enjoyed a huge transatlantic chart topper with the Ham/Evans ballad, 'Without You'. From that point onwards, however, the group failed to exploit their potential to the full. By the time of their final Apple recording, Ass, Molland was writing over half of their songs, but he chose to leave soon afterwards, clearly weary of the financial and business wranglings that were now dominating proceedings. Worse was to follow in 1975 when Pete Ham hanged himself after a long period of personal and professional worries. At that point the band split. Nearly four years later, Joey Molland and Tom Evans re-formed the group, changing the subsidiary members frequently over the next few years. Commercial success proved elusive and in November 1983, history repeated itself in the most bizarre scenario when Tom Evans committed suicide at his Surrey home. Like Pete Ham, he had been suffering from depression and financial worries. The Badfinger story is uniquely tragic and among its greater ironies is the now morbid chorus of the song with which Pete Ham and Tom Evans are best associated: 'I can't live, I can't live anymore' ('Without You'). Following the discovery of some home-recorded tapes, these were finally issued as a complete album of Ham's songs by Rykodisc Records in 1997. Although the quality is poor and the performance naive, they indicate a great songwriter with a marvellous grasp of pop melody.
Source: MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide
Personnel
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Magic Christian Music |
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| Liner Notes: Badfinger were a unique act for Apple Records. They were there from the start and remained popular throughout the life of the label. They also were only one of two non-Beatle acts on the label to receive a gold record (for "Day After Day", the other was Mary Hopkin's "Those Were The Days"). Badfinger began as a unit called The Iveys (named after The Hollies). It was through their manager, former bandleader Bill Collins, that Pete Ham (lead guitar), Mike Gibbons (sometimes shown as Mike Gibbins, drums), Ron Griffiths (bass), and David Jenkins (rhythm guitar) turned professional. They got a job in 1966 backing singer David Garrick in live appearances and studio recordings. They backed David on the biggest of his Piccadilly records, "Dear Mrs. Applebee". Shortly afterwards, David Jenkins left and was replaced by Tom Evans. The band concentrated on making demo tapes. When Bill Collins got the word that The Beatles were forming Apple Records and were looking for talent, he took them around. The tapes were played for Mal Evans, Derek Taylor, Paul McCartney and George Harrison. All had good things to say and The Iveys were signed to the Apple Corps. After the release of two singles and one album, their named was changed to Badfinger (from the working title of "With A Little Help From My Friends" - "Badfinger Boogie"). Paul McCartney helped the group get a fresh start by giving them a new song he wrote called "Come And Get It". Paul wrote the tune for Ringo's new movie, "The Magic Christian", and managed to get two other new Badfinger tunes in the film as well. Ron Griffiths chose to leave the band at this time. Tom Evans decided to move to bass, leaving the rhythm slot open for Joey Molland, ex-member of The Masterminds and Walker Brother Gary Leeds' band Rain. "Come And Get It" was issued in December 1969 and rose to the UK top ten. An album by Badfinger, "Magic Christian Music", named after the film, arrived a month later. It repeated half the tracks from The Iveys' album and filled the rest of the LP with the soundtrack songs and some new material. The artwork for the cover was prepared between the leaving of Ron and the coming of Joey, so only three faces are depicted. The LP sold quite well despite having no follow-up single pulled from it. ABOUT THIS ALBUM "Come And Get It", "Carry On Till Tomorrow", and "Rock Of All Ages" were featured in the motion picture "The Magic Christian", and appear on the soundtrack of the film as well. "Angelique" and "Give It A Try" were dropped from the American "Magic Christian Music" album, as 12 tracks were the norm in the U.S. "Storm In A Teacup", an Iveys song from the promotional "Wall's Ice Cream" EP, appears in stereo for the first time on this package, and is included as a bonus track along with the previously unissued "Arthur". Overall, this is the most Beatles-sounding of the Badfinger releases and one of their finest. |
Apple/Capitol C4-97579 Originally released on Apple Records: UK: Jan 9, 1970 (SAPCOR 12) Note: original US version did not include tracks 11 or 13. Remastered reissue: Album produced by Paul McCartney (Track 1), Mal Evans (Tracks 4,5,6,8,10,12,13,15,& 16), and Tony Visconti (Tracks 2,3,7,9,11,& 14) Tracks 1,7,& 8 from the soundtrack of the film "The Magic Christian" Reissue digitally mastered & researched by Ron Furmanek. Tracks: |
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No Dice |
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| Liner Notes: Badfinger, the Apple label's best-selling act outside The Beatles, gained worldwide fame with their first LP, Magic Christian Music, and its debut single, "Come And Get It." Their first album was a conglomeration of songs from their earlier incarnation as The Iveys, songs written for "the Magic Christian" movie soundtrack, and assorted new material. This time around Pete Ham, Tom Evans, Mike Gibbins (often billed incorrectly as Gibbons), and new member Joey Molland, would record an entire LP as a unit. The first song to greet the public was "No Matter What", released worldwide late in 1970. This Pete Ham A-side proved to be the perfect follow-up to "Come And Get It." It differed radically from its predecessor and stands on its own as a rock classic. It was a Top Ten success everywhere. Soon after, the No Dice album followed. The Beatles' influences were lessened and a stronger rock flavour was presented. Badfinger were asserting their independence and listeners were all the better for it. Pete and Tom were growing as songwriters, and Joey's and Mike's contributions were welcome additions. No Dice sold better than their previous LP and remains the group's highest charting album. As with the first album, there was no second song selected for a 45 release, but singer-songwriter Harry Nilsson recorded a cover of Pete and Tom's "Without You" and it became a best seller, topping the charts worldwide. ABOUT THIS ALBUM The majority of the tracks on the No Dice album were produced by Geoff Emerick, "No Matter What" and "Believe Me" were produced by Mal Evans. Of the bonus tracks, "Friends Are Hard To Find" is from Mal Evans' sessions, "Get Down" was originally attempted with Mal but the version here was overseen by Geoff Emerick. The remaining three songs, "Mean, Mean Jemima", "Loving You" and "I'll Be The One" were all produced by Emerick for a follow-up album to No Dice that was never released. |
Apple/Capitol C4-98698 Originally released on Apple Records: UK: Nov 27, 1970 (SAPCOR 16) Remastered reissue: 1992 Apple Records Produced by Geoff Emerick except for Tracks 5, 11,& 14 Produced by Mal Evans Tracks: |
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Straight Up |
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| Apple/Capitol C4-07777 7 81403 4 4 Originally released
on Apple Records: UK: Feb 2, 1972 (SAPCOR: 19) US: December 13, 1971 (SW-3387) Remastered reissue: 1993 Apple Records (1996) 24K Gold CD DCC GZS-1088 Produced by Todd Rundgren, except tracks 5,6,7, and 9 Produced by George Harrison and tracks 13-17 Produced by Geoff Emerick |
Tracks: 1. Take It All 2. Baby Blue 3. Money 4. Flying 5. I'd Die Babe 6. Name Of The Game 7. Suitcase 8. Sweet Tuesday Morning 9. Day After Day 10. Sometimes 11. Perfection 12. It's Over (Tom Evans) BONUS TRACKS: |
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Ass |
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| The Apple label's last non-Beatle release. Released on Apple Records: UK: March 8, 1974 (SAPCOR 27) CD: CD SAPCOR 27 - UK |
Tracks: 1. Apple of My Eye (Ham) |
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Badfinger |
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| Released on Warner Bros RS2762: February 1974 CD: WB Import WPCP4081 Pete: guitar, piano, vocals Recorded at Olympic Mixed at Air & Olympic Pans by Russ & the Flames Cover prepared by John Kosh Produced by Chris Thomas for Big Ears Productions, Inc. |
Tracks: 1. I Miss You 2. Shine On 3. Love Is Easy 4. Song For A Lost Friend 5. Why Don't We Talk 6. Island 7. Matted Spam 8. Where Do We Go From Here? 9. My Heart Goes Out 10. Lonely You 11. Give It Up 12. Andy Norris |
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Wish You Were Here |
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| This album was pulled from the record store shelves
shortly after its release in 1974. It is considered by many to be one of Badfinger's best
albums. Released on Warner Bros RS2827: October 1974 CD: WB Import WPCP4082 Pete: guitar, piano, vocals Recorded at Caribou and Air Studios |
Tracks: 1. Just A Chance |
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Airwaves |
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| Released on Elektra 175: March 1979 Joey Molland: guitar, vocals, organ Produced by David Malloy |
Tracks: 1. Airwaves (Molland/Evans) |
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Say No More |
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| Released on Radio Records 1981 (RR 16030) Produced by Jack (Round Mound of Sound) Richardson and Steve
(Bic) Wittmack for JAR Productions by arrangement with Freedom Sound Productions, Inc. |
Tracks: 1. I Got You |
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Day After Day: Badfinger Live |
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| One of the pivotal '70s pop bands, Badfinger released a
number of highly praised albums on the Apple and Warner Bros. labels. But the original
band never released a live album during its time together, and DAY AFTER DAY is a
long-overdue document of the original Badfinger's in-concert power. DAY AFTER DAY includes two of Badfinger's greatest hits, "Day After Day," and "Baby Blue," along with many highlights of the Apple albums. Recorded in 1974 at the Cleveland Agora, the album captures Badfinger's last tour featuring all four original members: guitarists Joey Molland and Pete Ham, bassist Mike Gibbins, and drummer Tom Evans. At the time, the concert heard on DAY AFTER DAY was indeed intended for a live album. Because of the myriad legal and personal hassles that Badfinger experienced, the recording ended up in limbo. It wasn't until 1990 that Joey Molland, who had retained possession of the original multi-track tapes, decided to put out an album of songs from the Agora perfomance. DAY AFTER DAY, produced by Molland and Mark Healey, is the first Badfinger album released with the involvement and approval of an original band member in 10 years. In spite of the bad luck and tragedy that would befall the band in later years, Badfinger was an undeniable force in pop music. Their music met with widespread radio airplay and great consumer demand, and yet most of their classic songs had been unavailable for nearly fifteen years at the time of this release. DAY AFTER DAY showcases this much loved group at their peak, and gave this material its long-overdue digital debut. |
RYKO RACS 0189 Released on RYKODISK Produced by Mark Healey and Joey Molland A previously unreleased concert recording of Badfinger at the peak of their potency, captured live in 1974 at the Cleveland Agora. Mixed from the original live 16-track masters by Joey Molland with Mark Healey. Tracks:
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The Very Best Of Badfinger |
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| The new and definitive 19-track compilation, The Very
Best Of Badfinger, released by Capitol/Apple Records, includes digitally remastered
versions of all of their hits -- Come And Get It, No Matter What, Day After Day and Baby
Blue -- plus their version of Without You, the song which became a No. 1 hit for Nilsson. The recording brings together for the first time music from all eight of the charted albums Badfinger recorded for both Apple and Warner Bros. Records. From their incredibly fortunate beginnings when McCartney heard a demo tape and they became the first act signed to The Beatles' Apple Records, to the tragic deaths of two members and the continuation of the group with two survivors, Badfinger's pioneering Brit pop has never been far from the hearts of their fellow musicians and fans of well-crafted pop/rock songs. Pete Ham, Tom Evans and Mike Gibbins originally called themselves The Iveys when they formed in the mid-60s in England. After a name change and the addition of Joey Molland, it was Come And Get It, written and produced by Paul McCartney, that launched Badfinger's career when it rose to No. 7 on the charts in 1970. The song was one of several Badfinger songs from the soundtrack of the Ringo Starr-Peter Sellers film, The Magic Christian. It was included on their debut album, Magic Christian Music, along with Rock Of All Ages, Maybe Tomorrow and Carry On `Til Tomorrow, also featured on The Very Best Of Badfinger. Badfinger quickly racked up another hit before the year was out. Their second album, No Dice, released in September 1970, demonstrated writing skills that helped them shed their reputation as the poor man's Beatles. Nilsson had a No. 1 hit with one of the songs from it, Without You, while Badfinger scored a second top 10 hit when No Matter What peaked at No. 8. Other tracks from No Dice contained on The Very Best of Badfinger include Midnight Caller and We're For The Dark. George Harrison and Todd Rundgren both produced tracks on Badfinger's third album, Straight Up. It featured two more of their biggest international hits -- Day After Day, which reached No. 4, and Baby Blue, a No. 14 hit. Other highlights were Name Of The Game, It's Over and I'd Die Babe. When they weren't making their own hits, Badfinger frequently backed the ex-Beatles on tours and records, appearing at George Harrison's Concert for Bangladesh and on his album, All Things Must Pass, as well as on John Lennon's Imagine and Ringo Starr's It Don't Come Easy. Ass, Badfinger's fourth and final album for Apple Records, was released in late 1973 and included When I Say, which now appears on The Very Best Of Badfinger. Although it was well received, Warner Bros. was eager to recapture the momentum of Straight Up and released their self-titled debut for the label just four months later. It contained Lonely You, but failed to set the charts on fire, and the band rushed back into the studio to try again with Wish You Were Here. The glowing reviews are evidence that some critics believe it is Badfinger's finest work. The Very Best Of Badfinger contains three songs from that recording -- Dennis, Love Time and Meanwhile Back At The Ranch/Should I Smoke? Unfortunately, due to a combination of circumstances, Badfinger was never able to recapture their glory days on the charts, but they had developed a strong, devoted following that remains with them to the present. Day After Day, No Matter What and Come And Get It have become standards that are heard weekly by more than one million listeners in the top 10 markets, while No Dice, Straight Up and Magic Christian Music remain in print nearly three decades after their release. |
Tracks: 1. No Matter What 2. Day After Day 3. Baby Blue 4. Name of the Game 5. Maybe Tomorrow 6. Come and Get It 7. Rock of All Ages 8. Carry on Til Tomorrow 9. Midnight Caller 10. We're for the Dark 11. I'll Be the One 12. Without You 13. I'd Die Babe 14. It's Over 15. When I Say 16. Dennis 17. Lonely You 18. Love Time 19. Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch/Should I Smoke |
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The Best Of Badfinger Vol. 2 |
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| Badfinger (1974): Joey Molland (vocals, guitar), Pete Ham (vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards), Tom Evans (vocals, bass), Mike Gibbins (vocals, keyboards, drums). Badfinger (1978): Joey Molland (vocals, guitar, organ), Tony Kaye (keyboards), Tom Evans (vocals, bass), Peter Clarke (drums). Additional personnel: Bob Jackson (vocals, keyboards), Steve Foreman (percussion), David Molloy (background vocals). Producers: Kenny Kerner, Richie Wise, David Molloy, Chris Thomas. Includes liner notes by Dan Matovina. BEST OF BADFINGER, VOL. 2 features over half of the band's Warner Brothers debut, BADFINGER (1974), almost all of WISH YOU WERE HERE (1974), 2 tracks from their reunion album AIRWAVES (1979), and 4 previously unreleased tracks from 1975. | Tracks: 1. Know One Knows 2. Shine On 3. Lonely You 4. Give It Up 5. Song for a Lost Friend 6. Just a Chance 7. Your So Fine 8. Got to Get Out of Here 9. In the Meantime/Some Other Time 10. I Miss You 11. Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch/Should I Smoke 12. Lay Me Down 13. Passed Fast 14. Keep Believing 15. Moonshine 16. Lost Inside Your Love 17. Love Is Gonna Come at Last |
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BBC Live In Concert 1972-1973 |
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| Badfinger: Pete Ham, Joey Molland (vocals, guitar); Tom
Evans (vocals, bass); Mike Gibbons (drums). Principally recorded live at The Paris Theatre, London, England on June 8, 1972 & August 10, 1973. Includes liner notes by Dan Matovina. More than 25 years after the original Badfinger split up, the Welsh group has earned universal acclaim as the quintessential power-pop band. But back in the early '70s, its unique brand of melodic, Beatles-inspired rock was generally considered too bubblegum by the music elite. Attempting to fit in with the rock mainstream, Badfinger rarely played its sparkling pop hits during concerts, instead concentrating on a hard-edged rock sound affectionately known at the time as boogie. BBC IN CONCERT 1972-1973 captures Badfinger at the height of its boogie phase, performing 15 songs live for BBC radio. In the studio, it was leader Pete Ham who created the band's signature hits; however, on stage guitarist Joey Molland was in charge. With the exception of a 1970 BBC version of "Come and Get It," no other hits are performed. Instead, Badfinger jams on extended versions of Joey Molland songs such as "Better Days" and "Suitcase." Presumably to show off the band's instrumental prowess, Badfinger even performs versions of Dave Mason's "Only You Know and I Know" and "Feelin' Alright." While the album features several acoustic interludes, it's basically a hard rock collection that stands as a testament to Badfinger's versatility and timeless appeal. |
Tracks: 1. Better Days 2. Only You Know and I Know 3. We're for the Dark 4. Sweet Tuesday Morning 5. Feelin' Alright 6. Take It All 7. Suitcase 8. Love Is Easy 9. Blind Owl 10. Constitution 11. Icicles 12. Matted Spam 13. Suitcase 14. I Can't Take It 15. Come and Get It |
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Head First |
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| Head First was recorded in December of 1974 at the
Beatles' Apple Recording Studios. This brought Badfinger back to an association with Apple
Corps Ltd., the company which had nurtured their earlier run of four worldwide hit singles
and four U.S. charting albums. Badfinger now had an altered line-up, as guitarist Joey
Molland had quit in early November of 1974. Keyboardist Bob Jackson, a talented musician
from Coventry, England, fresh off a supporting tour for Eric Clapton, had initially joined
the group for a one-month U.K. tour, but he impressed the band enough that he was quickly
considered a full-fledged member. A few months prior to these sessions,
Badfinger had completed their LP, Wish You Were Here, and it was now out to critical
fanfare. As these new recordings began though, turmoil was rampant for the group. They
were wary at being led into the studio so quickly after finishing the last record; some
members suspecting it was so their business manager could collect a quick record company
advance for delivery of an album. Explanations were thin and hints of lawsuits were being
bandied about. |
Tracks: Disc: 1 1. Lay Me Down 2. Hey, Mr. Manager 3. Kepp Believing 4. Passed Fast 5. Rock 'N' Roll Contract 6. Saville Row 7. Moonshine 8. Back Again 9. Turn Around 10. Rockin' Machine Disc: 2 1. Time Is Mine 2. Smokin' Gun 3. Old Fashioned Notions 4. Nothing to Show 5. You Ask Yourself Why 6. Keep Your Country Tidy 7. To Say Goodbye 8. Queen of Darkness 9. I Can't Believe In 10. Thanks to You All 11. Lay Me Down |
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Badfinger - Director's Cut |
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| A profile of the 1970's popsters, containing extensive live footage of hits like No Matter What and chart-topper Come & Get It. Also includes interviews and documentary footage revealing the band's rocky path to fame - a path which ended when two members committed suicide. | ||
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Badfinger - Director's Cut |
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| Badfinger was a rock band that got the sort of break any band would envy -- they were signed by the Beatles to their record company, Apple, and got to work with both Paul McCartney and George Harrison. The group scored a handful of brilliant pop hits, including "Day After Day," "Baby Blue," and "No Matter What." However, within a decade of their big break, Badfinger was drowning in debt and desperately trying to free themselves from a bad management deal; the strain was so great that two of the founding members took their own lives. This documentary traces both the triumphs and the tragedies of this great, underappreciated rock band. | ||
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7 Park Avenue |
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| 7 PARK AVENUE is a collection of solo demos recorded by Badfinger singer-guitarist Pete Ham in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Additional parts were overdubbed by other musicians. Ham died in 1975. Personnel: Pete Ham (vocals, various instruments); Derrick Anderson (bass); Rick Cammon (drums); Bob Jackson, Ron Griffiths. Includes liner notes by Andy Davis. 7 PARK AVENUE, whose title refers to Badfinger's home address upon moving to London when they were still known as the Iveys, is a collection of homemade recordings cut by the band's vocalist Pete Ham between the late 60's and early 70's. Despite claims by detractors who felt Badfinger's success was due only to their association with the Beatles, this collection shows Ham to have been a gifted composer whose knack for writing pop songs went beyond merely aping anyone else. The demos of "Matted Spam" (from their Warner Brothers debut) and the hit "No Matter What" convincingly make that argument. A sensitive songwriter, Ham also wrote hook-laden nuggets about his mum ("Catherine Cares"), an apology to his wife ("Sille Veb," her name spelled backwards) and a song dedicated to his niece using lap guitar and light bongos for a South Seas feel ("Island"). | 1. Catherine Cares |
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Golders Green |
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| Do names like Nick Drake, Alex Chilton or Pete Ham mean
anything to you? These are just some of the thousands of unsung heroes of music. Ham was a
member of Badfinger, the band that had a memorable hit with "Come and Get It," a
tune written by Paul McCartney. Another huge hit from the band, "Without You,"
came from the writing partnership of Ham and Tom Evans. Ham's skills went further than
this as Golders Green proves. This second volume of his own work was
recorded at his home in the section of London that inspired the title. With tunes like
"Makes Me Feel Good," which sounds like lo-fi Oasis and "Pete's Walk,"
a great '70s jam of piano and wailing guitar, this is truly an album of hidden gems. Personnel includes: Pete Ham (vocals); Chris von Sneidern (guitar); Bob Jackson (keyboards). Recorded in Golders Green, London, between 1966 and 1975. Remastered by Dan Matovina. GOLDERS GREEN is the second album of home demos recorded by the principal singer/songwriter of Badfinger between 1968 and his 1975 suicide. Like Ham's 7 PARK AVENUE, this disc is comprised of superb sounding home demos that have been tastefully augmented by former Badfinger member Bob Jackson and American power pop artist Chris von Sneidern. From "Goodbye John Frost"--a quirky rocker that features clunky piano playing and a drum sound that's pure McCartney circa 1970-- to the rousing album closer "Makes Me Feel Good," an upbeat pop song that evokes the Monkees in their prime, Ham's gift for melody and warm, engaging voice make almost every song a winner. Listeners also have the chance to hear the more experimental side of Ham's music, including, "Gonna Do It," a tantalizing fragment of an eerie multi-track vocal experiment. Packed with unreleased songs and a wonderful early version of the Ham-penned pop standard "Without You," GOLDERS GREEN is a fascinating album that secures Ham's place as one of the great lost talents of rock music. |
1. Makes Me Feel Good |
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