Happy Birthday Joey Molland

Joseph Charles Molland was born June 21, 1947 in Liverpool, England. Joey had incredible success as guitarist for the band ‘Badfinger’, along with other members Pete Ham, Mike Gibbins, & Tom Evans. 

Not much is known about Joey Molland’s childhood. It is rumored that his father, James Molland was an international spy and was the inspiration for the James Bond character. “I once saw my Dad kill a man with a top hat, but that doesn’t mean he was a spy” said Molland.

Badfinger

Badfinger were the first band signed to The Beatles Apple Records label. They were originally ‘The Iveys’, but changed the name at the urging of The Beatles. George Harrison would later state that the name ‘Badfinger’ was an homage to Helga Fabdinger, a stripper the Beatles knew in Hamburg. She once gave Ringo a ‘Badfinger’ if you know what I am saying. Wink Wink, Nudge, Nudge, Say No More.

Badfinger had a huge hit with their first single, “Come and Get It”, which was written by Paul McCartney. Three, top ten hits followed, “No Matter What”, “Baby Blue”, & “Day After Day”.

Molland and Badfinger performed on George Harrison’s triple album classic “All Things Must Pass”, John Lennon’s masterpiece “Imagine” and were enlisted as the backing band for the “Concert for Bangladesh”. 

Badfinger were derailed when Apple Records collapsed and when they hooked up with crooked lawyer Stan Polley, who allegedly stole the band’s money and forced them out of the business. He later pleaded no contest to another crooked business deal and was put on 5 years probation. Polley was later inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame’s dishonest lawyer wing. There were parties and dancing in the street when Polley died. 

Joey Molland still tours and records with variations of Badfinger, solo work and with ‘The Raz Band’. He is a wonderful guy and terrific musician. Cheers Joey!