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Dark shadows loom over the legacy of Badfinger – including being victims of mismanagement, legal issues, label turmoil, inner tensions and the tragic suicides of frontman Pete Ham in 1975 and singer-songwriter Tom Evans in 1983 – but the music of Badfinger still lives on. As the first and finest act signed to Apple Records, the Welsh band was pegged as “the Next Beatles” – and even given their first hit single by Paul McCartney (“Come and Get It”). Even though they never could out-shadow the Beatles, Badfinger would become the most successful signing for Apple Records. Their blend of Beatlesque '60s-pop and radio friendly power pop was sparkling at the time, with timeless songwriting for the ages. Badfinger were responsible for outstanding 1970s albums like 'Straight Up' (their 1971 masterpiece, produced by George Harrison) and 'Wish You Were Here' (1974) – the latter marking the end of their short, but shining prime. They penned out a string of hit singles in the early part of the next decade, including the much covered and highly beloved “Without You” (later of Nilsson and Mariah Carey fame). Together with bands like Big Star, Todd Rundgren and Cheap Trick, Badfinger were highly influential in the development of power-pop (and great pop songs overall), followed by the likes of Teenage Fanclub, Matthew Sweet and The Posies. This is a selection of some of their finer moments.
