Badfinger’s story began in Swansea, Wales, in 1961, when guitarist Pete Ham, bassist Ron Griffiths, drummer Roy Anderson, and guitarist David “Dai” Jenkins formed a group called The Iveys. Over time, the lineup evolved, with Mike Gibbins joining on drums in 1965 and Tom Evans replacing Jenkins. By 1966, The Iveys were gigging steadily in the U.K. and developing a reputation for strong melodies and tight harmonies. In 1968, The Iveys became the first band signed to Apple Records, the label founded by The Beatles. Their debut single, “Maybe Tomorrow”, was released in late 1968 and found success in parts of Europe and Japan, though it failed to chart in the U.K. or U.S. In 1969, Ron Griffiths departed, and guitarist/bassist Joey Molland joined. Around this time, the band changed its name to Badfinger, inspired by a working title “Bad Finger Boogie” for The Beatles’ song “With a Little Help from My Friends”. Badfinger’s breakthrough came in late 1969 with the song “Come & Get It”, written and produced by Paul McCartney for “The Magic Christian” film soundtrack. The single became a worldwide hit in early 1970, reaching the Top 10 in both the U.K. and U.S. The band followed up with a string of critically and commercially successful singles: “No Matter What” (1970) - a hard-edged power pop anthem showcasing Ham’s songwriting, “Day After Day” (1971) - produced by George Harrison, featuring Harrison and Ham’s harmonized slide guitars; it became their highest-charting U.S. hit, and “Baby Blue” (1971) - a U.S. hit later revived to fame when it played over the finale of “Breaking Bad” in 2013. This period also saw them contributing as session musicians on Harrison’s “All Things Must Pass” and Ringo Starr’s early solo work. Despite their chart success, Badfinger was plagued by financial problems, largely due to their controversial manager, Stan Polley. Polley’s business arrangements allegedly diverted much of the band’s earnings, leaving members in financial hardship despite their hits. In 1973, they left Apple Records for Warner Bros., releasing the albums “Badfinger” (1974) and “Wish You Were Here” (1974). Unfortunately, legal disputes between Warner Bros., Apple, and Polley led to the albums being pulled from shelves, killing their momentum. Amid financial strain and broken promises, Pete Ham - the band’s creative heart - died by suicide on April 24, 1975, at age 27. In his note, he blamed Stan Polley for his despair. Despite the devastating loss, Evans and Molland re-formed Badfinger in 1978 with new members. They enjoyed a brief revival, including the album “Airwaves” (1979) and touring, but the band never regained its early success. On November 19, 1983, Tom Evans also died by suicide, reportedly following disputes over songwriting royalties for “Without You”, a song Ham and Evans had written that became a massive hit for Harry Nilsson (1971) and later Mariah Carey (1994). Badfinger’s influence on power pop is immense. Their blend of Beatlesque melodies, rock energy, and heartfelt lyrics inspired countless bands, including Big Star, The Bangles, and Matthew Sweet. Today, they are remembered for their music rather than their misfortunes - songs like “No Matter What”, “Day After Day”, “Baby Blue”, and “Come & Get It” still shine with craftsmanship and emotional depth.