The most successful recording act signed to The Beatles' label - APPLE RECORDS - and what is considered their 'original' lineup of PETE HAM, TOMMY EVANS, MIKE GIBBINS and JOEY MOLLAND who joined in late 1969 when 'The Iveys' transformed into Badfinger. They interacted in various ways with each member of The Beatles, including their solo careers.
Paul McCartney wrote & produced the band's first single - "Come & Get It". Joey & Tommy played acoustic guitars on John Lennon's "Jealous Guy" & "I Don't Want To Be A Soldier, Momma" on his Imagine LP. Pete & Tommy lended backup vocals on Ringo Starr's "It Don't Come Easy". And the entire original Badfinger lineup contributed to George Harrison's landmark triple-LP set, "All Things Must Pass" and the equally groundbreaking fundraising event, The Concert For Bangla Desh.
Top 10 hits worldwide include: "Come & Get It", "No Matter What", "Day After Day", "Baby Blue" and "Without You" - which was covered by both Nilsson (1972) and Mariah Carey (1994) which both went to #1.
Joey Molland’s Badfinger has been experiencing quite the career revival recently with artists ranging from indie rock icon Matthew Sweet to Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson participating in exciting new versions of Badfinger’s extensive catalog of hits. And now comes one of the biggest hits Molland & company ever recorded - the Paul McCartney-penned pop classic “Come & Get It” reinvented here with a superb contribution from famed piano/keyboard player Rick Wakeman! With Wakeman’s special touch, this tune takes on a whole new life with added melody and bounce, and although Badfinger guitarist/bassist Tom Evans originally sang lead on the 1969 version, Molland ably takes over vocal duties.
Wear A New Face by Tim Schools (2008 album; produced by Molland)
Love Her by Tim Schools(2015 album; produced by Molland)
Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull and Terry Reid
join forces on cover of Badfinger's
“Day After Day”
My new book is finally out!
THE
ROCK STAR
CHRONICLES
SERIES ONE
CHRONICLES, TRUTHS, CONFESSIONS AND WISDOM FROM THE MUSIC LEGENDS THAT SET US FREE
…Order yours today on Hardcover or E-book
at bookbaby.com
Featuring over 45 intimate conversations with some of the greatest rock legends
the world will ever know.
CHRIS SQUIRE... DR. JOHN... GREG LAKE... HENRY MCCULLOUGH... JACK BRUCE … JOE LALA… JOHNNY WINTER... KEITH EMERSON... PAUL KANTNER... RAY THOMAS... RONNIE MONTROSE... TONY JOE WHITE... DAVID CLAYTON-THOMAS… MIKE LOVE... TOMMY ROE... BARRY HAY... CHRIS THOMPSON... JESSE COLIN YOUNG... JOHN KAY... JULIAN LENNON... MARK LINDSAY... MICKY DOLENZ… PETER RIVERA ...TOMMY JAMES… TODD RUNDGREN... DAVE MASON... EDGAR WINTER... FRANK MARINO... GREGG ROLIE... IAN ANDERSON... JIM “DANDY” MANGRUM... JON ANDERSON... LOU GRAMM... MICK BOX... RANDY BACHMAN… ROBIN TROWER... ROGER FISHER... STEVE HACKETT... ANNIE HASLAM… ‘MELANIE’ SAFKA... PETULA CLARK... SUZI QUATRO... COLIN BLUNSTONE… DAVE DAVIES... JIM McCARTY... PETE BEST
THE ROCK STAR CHRONICLES
BOOK TRAILER
BOOK REVIEW
-By Literary Titan (5) STARS
The Rock Star Chronicles, by Ray Shasho, is a splendid book written by a music enthusiast who has poured their heart and soul into it. It’s a story of a boy who loved rock music, and his obsessive passion of it earned himself the name Rock Raymond. He went to school but instead was schooled in all matters of music while his peers were buried chin-deep in coursework. He then became a radio DJ and has now compiled a book on all interviews he held with Rock gods who raided the airwaves back in the 70s and 80s. It’s a compilation of interviews with outstanding vocalists, legendary guitarists and crazy drummers in the rock music scene. Each interview gives a reader an in-depth view into their personal lives and the philosophies that guide their lives which all serve to humanize these great icons. For readers who are old enough to call themselves baby boomers this book will bring old memories back to life. Millennials, on the other hand, may think of this book as a literal work of the Carpool Karaoke show.
The Rock Star Chronicles is a book I didn’t know I was waiting for. To come across a book that will talk me into trying something new. One brave enough to incite me to venture into new frontiers. This book made me a believer- I am now a bona fide Rock and Roll music fan.
Ray Shasho masterfully gets the interviewees talking. He smartly coaxes answers from them with crafty questions designed to get a story rolling out of them. The artists talk about diverse issues ranging from music, politics, and their social engagements. Having been on the music seen all his life, Ray Shasho knows the buttons to press, how to get them comfortable about talking about their lives.
The book’s cover is befitting of its subject matter with the leather look offering a royal background to the golden letter print. It speaks to how high a level rock music holds in the pecking order- arguably, modern music as we know it has originated from blues and rock music. The second noteworthy thing is the use of high definition pictures to reference the musician being interviewed in every sub-chapter. This ensures that the book is for both original rock and roll lovers and aspiring new ones. Together is makes for a refreshing and consistently enjoyable read.
I recommend this book to rock music enthusiasts, aspiring musicians wondering what it takes and all readers curious to learn new things by going back in time.
In 1969, British rock band Badfinger and Apple Records launched what should have become … one of the most successful unions in rock history.
THE IVEYS (Pete Ham, Tom Evans, Ron Griffiths and Mike Gibbins) signed onto The Beatles label (Apple Records) in 1968. The following year, longtime Beatles road manager and compatriot Neil Aspinall, suggested the band change their name to Badfinger.
Paul McCartney generously presented one of his unreleased compositions to the band under his strict supervision. The song entitled, “Come and Get It” would be spotlighted in a motion picture called The Magic Christian starring
Peter Sellers and Ringo Starr. In 1970, “Come and Get It” became a hit
single for Badfinger peaking at #7 on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart and
selling over a million copies.
After the release of “Come and Get It,” bassist Ron Griffiths left the band. Badfinger replaced Griffiths with guitarist Joey Molland while moving singer/songwriter Tom Evans to bass guitar.
BADFINGER became an incredible force of virtuoso
musicians churning out hit after hit while being supported by the
biggest band in the world. The band’s first album was the soundtrack to
the movie The Magic Christian (Magic Christian Music). Their follow-up album, No Dice spawned the Pete Ham penned classic “No Matter What” (#8 U.S. Hot 100 Hit -1970) and an Evans/Ham composition “Without You” which became a #1 Hit in 1971 for Harry Nilsson and a #3 Hit for Mariah Carey in 1994. No Dice reached #28 on Billboard’s Hot 200 albums chart.
The bands third album Straight Up was regarded by many to be their best. George Harrison had considerable input on the album including playing slide guitar on “Day After Day” (#4 on Billboard Hot 100 Chart in 1971). Leon Russell played piano on the track. The album also generated the hit single "Baby Blue" (#14 on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart in 1972). George Harrison left before the album was completed to work on The Concert for Bangladesh and Todd Rundgren was brought in to finish the album. Production credits were shared between Harrison and Rundgren.
Badfinger members played at Harrison’s benefit concert for Bangladesh
at Madison Square Garden in New York City and on George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass album. Ham and Evans performed on Ringo’s single “It Don’t Come Easy.” Joey Molland and Tom Evans performed on John Lennon’s Imagine album. The band also became a successful touring act selling out concert venues worldwide.
Their last studio album under the Apple Records label was entitled Ass.
The album was recorded in 1972 but wasn’t released until late 1973.
Todd Rundgren was supposed to produce the album but abandoned the
project after a financial squabble. Badfinger tried to produce the
album themselves which caused the delay. Chris Thomas was brought in to co-produce the album. The single “Apple of My Eye”
reflected the bands mental state for leaving Apple and signing with
Warner Brothers Records. It was the last single to chart in the U.S.
with the bands core lineup.
Six weeks after the Ass album was completed, they began work on their first studio album with Warner Brothers entitled Badfinger. After the completion of an American tour, the band recorded Wish You Were Here which
was released in 1974. The band’s popularity maintained but internal
problems within the group and their management (Stan Polley) worsened.
In 1974, Joey Molland quit Badfinger. Litigation began over Stan
Polley’s unscrupulous business dealings which lead to Warner Brother’s
rejection of their latest album entitled Head First and a halt to the worldwide distribution of the Wish You Were Here album.
By 1975 … there were no monies arriving, impending legal actions, and
discoveries of management embezzlement. Singer, songwriter and
guitarist Peter Ham
hung himself in April that year over his inability to cope with his
disappointments in life. A suicide note blamed Stan Polley for most of
his anguish. Peter Ham was 27 years old.
After the untimely death of Peter Ham … Badfinger dissolved.
JOEY MOLLAND started a band in 1975 called Natural Gas with
Jerry Shirley (Humble Pie), Mark Clarke (Colosseum, Uriah Heep) and
Peter Wood (Al Stewart). Natural Gas released one album and was produced
by Felix Pappalardi (Mountain). The band toured successfully with Peter
Frampton but disbanded in 1977.
Molland and ex bandmate Tom Evans reunited briefly to record two comeback albums under the Badfinger heading. The band released Airwaves under Elektra Records (sister label to Warner Bros. Records) in 1978 and Say No More in 1981.
The bands line-up for the Say No More release consisted of Joey Molland on guitar, piano and vocals, Tom Evans on bass, guitars and vocals, Tony Kaye
(YES) on keyboards, Glenn Sherba on guitar and Richard Bryans on drums.
The album spawned the hit “Hold On” (#56 on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart
in 1981).
After the second album was released … Molland and Evans split but
continued touring under rival Badfinger band names. In November of 1983
… singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist Tom Evans hung himself. He was 36 years old.
Former Badfinger drummer Mike Gibbins performed in both versions of Badfinger. Mike Gibbins died at his Florida home in 2005, he was 56.
In 1983, Joey Molland released his debut solo album entitled, After The Pearl. The album showcased Joey’s amazing songwriting talents. Molland’s subsequent releases were … The Pilgrim (1992), Basil (1997) and the critically acclaimed This Way Up (2001).
TODAY the Liverpudlian lives in Minnesota and is incredibly busy. He’s got a new documentary called ‘Liverpoool to Memphis’ premiering on April 21st at CIMMfest in Chicago and a new CD out shortly entitled ‘Return to Memphis’on
Gonzo Records. Molland will also be embarking on a world tour including
a stop in his hometown of Liverpool to headline International
Beatleweek August 21st thru 27th.
Kathie Molland, Joey’s wife, passed away in 2009.
Joey has two sons … Shaun Michael who is 30 and Joey 32.
I had a wonderful opportunity to chat with Joey Molland recently
about his incredible music career with Badfinger, the new album, his
recent tour …and much-much more. Here’s my interview with
guitarist-singer-songwriter- Badfinger legendary rocker …JOEY MOLLAND.
Purchase Ray’s very special memoir called ‘Check the Gs’ -The True Story of an Eclectic American Family and Their Wacky Family Business … You’ll LIVE IT! Also available for download on NOOK or KINDLE edition for JUST .99 CENTS at amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com- Please support Ray so he can continue to bring you quality classic rock music reporting. ~~Pacific Book Review says Ray Shasho is a product
of the second half of the 20th century, made in the USA from parts
around the world, and within him is every trend in music, television,
politics and culture contributing to his philosophical and comically
analytical reflections collected in his fine book of memories. I found Check the Gs to
be pure entertainment, fantastic fun and a catalyst to igniting so many
memories of my own life, as I too am within a few years of Ray. So to
all, I say if you have a bit of grey hair (or no hair), buy this book!
It’s a great gift for your “over-the-hill” friends, or for their kids,
if they are the history buffs of younger generations trying to figure
out why we are the way we are.
