Badfinger and Joey: A message from the Iveys' Ron Griffiths

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by DeYoung, Feb 21, 2011.

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  1. kozy814

    kozy814 Forum Resident

    Met Joey this last weekend at the Chicago Beatlefest. He was extremely respectful to everybody and his performances were spot on. During discussions and live shows he was complimentary and made certain to give proper credit to the songwriters of the Badfinger classics. At one point we rode up on an elevator together> He was personable and even introduced himself to my 11 year old son shaking his hand. He seems like a class act in every sense.
     
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  2. cwitt1980

    cwitt1980 Senior Member

    Location:
    Carbondale, IL USA
    Glad to hear from someone who saw him this weekend. I couldn't make it, but wanted to since Molland was appearing.
     
  3. ccbarr

    ccbarr Forum Resident

    Location:
    Iowa, USA
    I've read this entire thread, very interesting. I really wish I could find a copy of Matovina's book, but it goes for a mint. He seems like a decent guy, trying to right some wrongs and get people aware of the band's music. At the same Joey seems like a decent guy, he's made some mistakes but he's been though a hell of a lot. I bought his "autobiography", it is basicaly two books in one, conducted as an interview. He really doesn't go into detail about the Badfinger situation, he does talk about every song they recorded, but that is about it.

    Anyway, the reason I revived this topic is I came across this article today, if it has already been posted I apologise but a search turned up nothing. Interesting little read, and the comments are interesting, Molland seems to think Matovina gave the interviewer the wrong info. Just a sad story all around.

    For Joey Molland, continuing forward under the Badfinger banner has been both a blessing — all of his other classic-era bandmates are dead — and a curse. Questions about where the money goes these days linger.
    The controversy heated up when Badfinger, some four decades past the doomed band’s brief hey day, returned to the charts after
    October’s finale of Breaking Bad featured the group’s 1971 song “Baby Blue.” Pete Ham, Badfinger’s main songwriter, and collaborator Tom Evans are long gone. Both died by hanging — in 1975 and 1983, respectively — and both were also said to have been distraught over royalty issues, after signing a disastous deal with a late-period manager. (Ham’s suicide note said: “Stan Polley is a soulless bastard.”) Mike Gibbins passed in 2005, having suffered an aneurysm.

    Which leaves Molland, who teamed with Evans for a post-Ham release called Airwaves in 1979 but then found himself touring opposite Evans with competing versions of Badfinger into the 1980s. That Molland, who replaced Ron Griffiths in time to help Badfinger reel off four consecutive smash hits between 1970-72, has become the keeper of the flame continues to rankle some. After all, he wasn’t credited as a songwriter on “Come and Get It” (Paul McCartney), “No Matter What,” “Day After Day” or “Baby Blue” — the latter three of which were written by Ham. Ham also collaborated with Evans on “Without You,” which became a charttopping 1970 hit for Harry Nilsson.

    Molland — who recently released a long-awaited solo effort — finally responded to critics, many of whom have viciously criticized him for touring as Joey Molland’s Badfinger, and for receiving a share of the band’s songwriting fees.

    “I’ve been reading some of the blogs about Badfinger and how I ****ed them all over, stole all the money, took credit for stuff I didn’t do, caused Tommy and Pete to kill themselves and leave their families to fend for themselves,” Molland says. “I don’t know where I found the time to be such an ******* and write, gig, get married, have a family, make records, collaborate with Tom, Pete and Mike, try and get Ron G. paid some money (yes, it was me that paid the accountants to see if it could be done), not talk about their lack of courage to face up to Polley, and get to make Airwaves with Tommy even though he hated me — so they say. Now I’m an ******* because I do shows with Joey Molland’s Badfinger? Well, I’ll tell you what: You can all **** off. You’re a bunch of morons. You have no idea what went on in any band you weren’t involved with — and I mean “in” the band. As much as you would like, you can’t read minds — and have no idea what someone is thinking about.”

    By the way, here’s how Bloomberg reports that Badfinger royalties are being split: The group’s main songwriter or his estate — typically Ham — receives 32 percent of royalties for publishing and 25 percent of songwriting monies for songs released under the Badfinger name, while the other members (including Molland) and the group’s original manager share the rest. Album shares, Bloomberg said, were split evenly at 20 percent for each member and Bill Collins, the manager.

    Source: http://somethingelsereviews.com/201...ands-emotional-response-to-badfinger-critics/
     
  4. InStepWithTheStars

    InStepWithTheStars It's a miracle, let it alter you

    Location:
    North Carolina
    Such a shame that there's so much pain and misery going on there. It's really rare to find a band that gets along well, but with all the horrible BS that Badfinger endured it's a pity that they couldn't get along on top of that. I've met Joey several times and he's one of the nicest, most caring people I've ever encountered, and he can still write, play, and sing as good as ever (despite the inevitable decay of his voice). This is a band that's always had legal troubles and I sincerely doubt that he's deliberately trying to get all the money for himself. Regarding the whole "Baby Blue" thing - yeah, he's not the writer of the song, but Pete's been gone for 40 years, no one else who played on that song is alive anymore, and although Badfinger doesn't have a huge legacy, it's still a well-loved name and Joey did play a big role in it.

    So yeah, I'm biased, and I accept that, but the time I've spent with him has been really enjoyable. He's a great, down-to-earth guy, and believe me, I have a really hard time getting along with people in real life. People do lots of terrible things in secret, and maybe Joey really is just in it for the money. I sincerely doubt that, but anything is possible. But I've enjoyed the few times I've talked with him, and I'll still support him for all the joy his music has brought me.

    While some of what he is doing could be controversial, I think it needs to be remembered that he's the only one left, and that he's really trying to uphold the legacy (even in spite of some poor judgments like the re-recordings). I definitely am biased after having met him and talked with him, and if you want to discount my opinion, fine; it's just my opinion.
     
  5. Mike Dow

    Mike Dow I kind of like the music

    Location:
    Bangor, Maine
    I've interviewed Joey on three occasions over the years (most recently here) and have always found him to be friendly, upbeat and never critical of his former band-mates. From the latest interview, the only remotely negative comment was directed toward Todd Rundgren and even that had a friendly outcome. I didn't have room to include that section but I'll share it here because it is interesting to hear his perspective.

    Dow: Badfinger’s “Straight Up” album was recorded in 1971. George Harrison started producing, then the tragedy in Bangladesh happened and he left to plan the benefit concert and brought you guys over to New York to play on it. Todd Rundgren took over production duties on the record. How ‘hands on’ was George as a producer and was he easier to work with than Todd?

    Molland: When George came in, he brought his guitar. He kind of joined the band, you know? At least he did with us. We were recording every day. He’d get his guitar on. Or, if were recording acoustic parts, he’d sit down with us and play. He helped with the songs and the lyrics. He put himself into it 100 per cent. He got a beautiful sound on that record. A lovely sound on the vocals. He really knew what he was doing and it was a great treat for us.

    We had done “All Things Must Pass” with him. When the Bangladesh tragedy happened, he was asked to help. He came in and apologized to us and told us he needed to help these people. Of course, we understood what he was trying to do. He said “There’s this guy, Todd Rundgren. A friend of mine. I’d like to ask him to come over and finish up the record with you guys.” George went away and Todd rolled up. Todd was a different kettle of fish. At times, he was a bit of an a$$hole. Sometimes, he was a complete a$$hole. Some people are of the opinion that “Straight Up” was the best album that we made. It certainly sold the most and had two giant hits on it. Years later, I did a show with Todd at a casino in Atlantic City. It was a Beatles-related show and they asked me to open it up and do a couple of the Badfinger songs. I played the show and had a stellar night – I really enjoyed myself and the crowd really enjoyed it. Afterwards, we all went to the bar of the casino and were having a glass of beer. I took the opportunity to go and ask Todd Rundgren to his face, why had he been such an a$$hole? I thought I’d better get it out of my head, you know? (laughs). He said “I wasn’t really like that. You just remember me like that.”

    Dow: It’s interesting how everyone who works with him seems to remember him like that.

    Molland: (Laughing) It is interesting, isn’t it? But what are you going to do? He’s a great artist. It was 40 years ago or whatever it was. I didn’t want to fight with Todd. I just said “OK” and put it in my pocket. He’s not an a$$hole when you’re having a pint of beer with him. He was nice and social – it was all good.
     
  6. ccbarr

    ccbarr Forum Resident

    Location:
    Iowa, USA
    2 great posts. I've never met Joey, but from what I've read and from his book he comes across as a decent guy. I can understand fans being upset about him doing Badfinger songs that he didn't write, but IMO I think it is great that he is out there doing them. At least it inroduces people to Badfinger's music. From what I've read he always says who wrote the song before he sings it. I appreciate Matovina's work too of getting Badfinger's music heard, so I can see both sides. Joey's situation seems to be a bit like how McCartney was treated when the Beatles broke up. Paul knew about the management, but the other's wouldn't listen, kinda the same deal Joey went through with Badfinger.

    I know there is always 2 (or 3) sides to every story so I don't mean for this to seem like I'm insulting anyone. I guess the best thing to do is enjoy the great music the band left us.
     
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  7. The Panda

    The Panda Forum Mutant

    Location:
    Marple, PA, USA
    It certainly is possible that Joey was one person back in the 70's and different now. Which is not to imply that he's putting on an act now. Going from playing to large audiences to barely filling a small room can bring on a lot of humility and make someone realize what's important in life. And, even if I believe Matovina's views of his wife (and I do), the fact is she's dead and Joey loved her. I will never see him live, but I do feel pity for someone who's lost a longtime spouse.
     
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  8. ccbarr

    ccbarr Forum Resident

    Location:
    Iowa, USA
    Another great point. As you said a long time has passed and people change. Joey and his wife Kathy must have really loved each other. I mean Joey went from being in a big time band to laying carpet and she stuck with him. So much sadness with the band and it's members. So sad about Pete and Tom, I suppose they felt they were backed into a corner... I know it's more complex than that but it's hard to put into words. Mike died far too young as well, and Joey lost his soulmate. It really is a horror story, it seems like fiction because you just don't think that much tragedy could hit one band.

    I really wish Matovina would make his book available as an ebook, I'd love to read it buy as I said it goes for so much.
     
  9. To your point I brlieve Matovina's portrayal of Kathy--she's dead though--and Joey seems like a go with the flow kind of guy. I do think,he was savvy and did what was best for him wherever possible. Whatever issues he had with the others, they're gone and he was the first person to raise the alarm about Polley and their management.

    He's a talented guy who never got his due to a certain extent and he always, always lived in the shadow of Badfinger.
     
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  10. ccbarr

    ccbarr Forum Resident

    Location:
    Iowa, USA
    Great post, and great point that after leaving Badfinger critics only want to talk about that, not his new albums. I think it was you who actually posted a link for me to the reissue of Joey's solo album After The Pearl, which I really enjoy, so a belated thanks for finding that. The Pilgrim and This Way Up are also nice albums, along with his the album Natural Gas which is S/T from the band he formed after leaving Badfinger. So those albums are some nice treats for Badfinger fans, they are not up to the level of the classic BF albums but they are solid listens.
     
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  11. Trashman

    Trashman Forum Resident

    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Interestingly, this story about Todd might be a good way to explain the different perspectives people have on Molland. If someone is a fan and they casually meet Molland after a show, he may seem like a really nice guy. But we also have stories of those who worked with Molland telling of a different side to him. The way I see it, both perspectives can be accurate and not exclusive to each other. Molland might simply be the kind of guy who is great to have a beer with, but not so great to have a business relationship with.
     
    Last edited: Nov 30, 2015
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  12. MarkTheShark

    MarkTheShark Senior Member

    Absolute truth.

    Reminds me of the saying, "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing."

    That said, I have no idea what went on, or didn't go on.
     
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