Latest news with #JoeyMolland
New York Times
09-03-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Joey Molland of the Power-Pop Band Badfinger Dies at 77
Joey Molland, a guitarist and songwriter who was the last surviving member of Badfinger, one of the first acts signed to the Beatles' Apple Records and a power-pop force in the early 1970s on the strength of hits like 'Day After Day' and 'No Matter What,' died on March 1 in St. Louis Park, Minn. He was 77. His partner, Mary Joyce, said he died in a hospital from complications of diabetes. Mr. Molland joined Badfinger — originally called the Iveys — in 1969. The band had been signed the year before as a marquee act for Apple Records, the much-publicized label formed by the Beatles in 1968 as part of the parent company Apple Corps. 'Badfinger gave me the opportunity to do everything a musician could want,' Mr. Molland said in a 2020 interview with Guitar World magazine. 'I got to make records. I heard my music on the radio, and I toured all over. I couldn't believe the luck we were having. For a time, everything was great.' Apple Corps was a high-minded, if financially dubious, initiative to tap the Beatles' millions to fund unknown talents in music, film and electronics. It was created so that, as John Lennon said at the news conference announcing the venture, 'people who just want to make a film about anything don't have to go on their knees in somebody's office — probably yours.' This experiment in 'Western Communism,' as Paul McCartney called it, involved no shortage of misfires. (The company's retail shop, known as the Apple Boutique, hemorrhaged 200,000 pounds — the equivalent of millions in today's dollars — in a little more than a year.) But Badfinger was a gamble that worked, and its members enjoyed their new status as rock stars. Badfinger in about 1970. From left: Pete Ham, Tommy Evans, Mike Gibbins and Mr. Molland. Credit... via Getty Images Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. Already a subscriber? Log in. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Badfinger guitar Joey Molland, the band's last living member, has died
Joey Molland, the last living member of Badfinger and longtime resident of Minnesota, died on March 1, the band announced on social media. Molland was 77. Molland was part of the band's best-known lineup, which also featured guitarist Pete Ham, drummer Mike Gibbins, and bassist Tom Evans. When Gibbins died from a brain aneurysm in 2005, Molland became the last living member of the group. Ham died by suicide in 1975 and Evans also died by suicide in 1983. Molland continued to tour as Joey Molland's Badfinger for years afterward. Late in 2024, Molland became ill. A GoFundMe campaign was established by his longitme girlfriend Mary Joyce to aid with his medical experiences. According to the campaign, Molland developed a bacterial infection due to his diabetes. It caused damage to several organs and led to pneumonia. The campaign raised more than $30,000 to help with his recovery. Molland joined the Welsh band as it transitioned from being called The Iveys to Badfinger, releasing a string of hits starting with their debut as Badfinger, Magic Christian Music, which included the Paul McCartney-penned "Come and Get It." From there, the band hit the charts on their next three albums with songs like "No Matter What," "Day After Day," "Baby Blue," and "Apple of My Eye." 'There are times when it all feels like a dream,' Molland told Guitar World in 2020. "Badfinger gave me the opportunity to do everything a musician could want. I got to make records. I heard my music on the radio, and I toured all over. I couldn't believe the luck we were having. For a time, everything was great." Molland died accompanied by his girlfriend, Mary Joyce, his two sons, and other family members, per the band's announcement.
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Badfinger's Joey Molland dead at 77
Badfinger guitarist Joey Molland has died aged 77. The news was confirmed on the band's official Facebook page. No cause of death has been provided, although the musician reportedly was diagnosed with pneumonia in recent months. "Thank you, Joey, for keeping the band's music alive for so long and for being a friend to us all," the online tribute read. Founded in Swansea in 1961, Badfinger was one of the first artists to be signed by The Beatles to their Apple Records label. The band are remembered as trailblazers in the power pop genre of the 1960s and '70s, selling more than 14 million records throughout their career. Memorable hits include Come and Get It, Day After Day, No Matter What and Baby Blue, which was played in the closing moments of the final episode of Breaking Bad. The guitarist was close to multiple members of The Beatles throughout his career and played guitar on several songs by John Lennon and George Harrison. Molland was the final surviving member of the most well-known Badfinger line-up. Guitarist Pete Ham and bass player Tom Evans both committed suicide in 1975 and 1984 respectively, and drummer Mike Gibbins died from a brain aneurysm in 2005.
