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Badfinger

Despite what anyone would consider an auspicious start, taken under the wing of such luminaries as Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Todd Rundgren, and recording the hit soundtrack (with single "Come and Get It") for the Peter Sellers/Richard Attenborough/Ringo Starr vehicle "The Magic Christian," Badfinger's success wasn't to be. Instead this exceptionally talented London-based power-pop outfit became one of the most notoriously, tragically star-crossed bands in the history of rock. They toured and recorded incessantly for four years after the soundtrack's release in 1969, but the bandmembers never enjoyed the fruits of their labors, being engulfed in one debacle after another -- first, the collapse of The Beatles' label, Apple, to which Badfinger had been signed with great fanfare, and then a variety of behind-the-scenes financial and legal skullduggery that left the band broke and delayed the release of their albums. Co-founders Pete Ham and Tom Evans, in 1975 and 1983 respectively, were driven to suicide by the band's troubles. Another co-founder, Joey Molland, emerged from the ashes and subsequently gathered another group of musicians, which continues to tour as Badfinger; the group's original recordings sell well to this day.

Written by: Mary Eisenhart

http://capitolrecords.com/badfinger

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