Badfinger

There was once a sensationally talented quartet out of Wales that should be listed in the dictionary next to "snakebitten."

The Iveys caught the eye of The Beatles, who signed them as the first act for their Apple Records venture. The Iveys changed their name to Badfinger and the hits started to flow. But critics, as much as they loved this new power pop sound (which Eric Carmen and the Raspberries perfected a couple years later), couldn't get past the heavy Fab Four influence. Paul McCartney wrote their first single. Their second album had what was perhaps their most important song (often credited to Harry Nilsson)...but it was Pete Ham's haunting "Without You," which Apple Records didn't think was worth releasing. George Harrison produced much of their third album (but Todd Rundgren finished this gem). But, the biggest issue that constantly gnawed at their ankles was that they looked like the Beatles.

Enlarge the photo on this post. Joey is a ringer for McCartney. Pete strongly resembled Lennon. Nuff said...especially during the "Paul is Dead" era.

That some dismissed them for their Beatle-esque sound and look (and that Apple Records' financial model was bereft of ethics) combined to collapse the band is a shame. Beyond the hits, these guys were really really good.

On this Music Friday, we'll go with their biggest hit, 50 years ago. It's "Day After Day."

And yes, that's George Harrison on slide guitar.

Comments

[Lee T]

Totally agree! My favorite of theirs was "Baby Blue". A song Harrison referenced in his 1987 "When We Was Fab". great choice!

[Bill Geist]

Guess I got what I deserved...

[Lee T]

:)