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Badfinger established themselves as a seminal power-pop band, known for their melodic songwriting and British rock sound which garnered global recognition.
Badfinger was the first act signed to Apple Records, the label founded by The Beatles. They released five albums with Apple between 1968 and 1973, gaining significant success with hit singles and touring extensively.
After their tenure with Apple Records, Badfinger signed a recording contract with Warner Bros. Records. This partnership led to the release of two albums in 1974: 'Badfinger' and 'Wish You Were Here'.
Following a period of inactivity, a reunited Badfinger lineup released their 'comeback' album, 'Airwaves', in 1979 through Elektra Records.
Badfinger's album 'Say No More' (1981) was distributed by Radio Records.
Badfinger originated in Swansea, Wales, forming in 1961 under the name The Iveys. The initial lineup included Pete Ham (lead guitar), Ronald Griffiths (bass guitar), David Jenkins (rhythm guitar), and Roy Anderson (drums). By 1964, they had solidified as The Iveys, performing actively around Swansea and opening for notable British bands such as The Who and The Yardbirds. In March 1965, Mike Gibbins joined as the drummer, further shaping the band’s early sound. Their relocation to London in 1966 marked a significant period, where they honed their diverse repertoire, covering Motown, blues, soul, and Top 40 hits. This extensive performing experience eventually attracted interest from record labels, leading to their pivotal signing with Apple Records as the first non-Beatle act in July 1968.
Under Apple Records, their single “Maybe Tomorrow” was released in November 1968, achieving Top Ten success in several European countries and Japan. However, it only reached #67 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and failed to chart in the UK, highlighting initial promotional challenges. A key turning point occurred when Paul McCartney, impressed after reading an interview with the band about their struggles, offered them his song “Come and Get It.” This track, released in late 1969/early 1970, became a worldwide Top Ten hit, selling over a million copies and solidifying their presence on the global music scene. This period also saw the band officially change their name to Badfinger, a suggestion from Apple Corps’ Neil Aspinall, referencing a working title for a Beatles song.
The early 1970s brought Badfinger significant success with a string of four consecutive worldwide hits: “Come and Get It” (1970), “No Matter What” (1970), “Day After Day” (1971), and “Baby Blue” (1972). Their influential song, “Without You,” co-written by Ham and Evans, achieved massive success through covers by Harry Nilsson (1972) and Mariah Carey (1994), earning Ham and Evans an Ivor Novello Award in 1972. Beyond their own releases, members of Badfinger contributed to other Apple Records projects, notably George Harrison’s ‘All Things Must Pass’ (1970) and John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ (1971), and performed at Harrison’s Concert for Bangladesh in 1971. Despite continued musical achievements and critical acclaim for albums like ‘Straight Up’ (1971), managerial and financial complications began to emerge, eventually leading to severe challenges for the band.
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