Joey Molland: From Badfinger to Good Future

Joey Molland, Badfinger’s last surviving member, is working to see the band’s legacy goes out on a high note. Bill Shafer, Growing Bolder has more.

[@mibeatleman6767]

I met Joey in 1991 at a Beatles convention and he was really a nice guy answering people's questions and signing autographs, completely down to Earth. I'm glad to see him carrying the torch for Pete, Tommy and Mike. Rest In Peace, 💔💔💔🕯🕯🕯

[@whodatwalrus]

if that was Liverpool me too.

[@jamesdeschenes8307]

Joey's gratitude and humility is a lesson for everyone. "I thank the Lord" says it all. God Bless you Joey and thank you!

[@timjensen6968]

He made it because he's so grounded. He always looked so happy in the old Badfinger videos.

[@DJ-bj8ku]

That was the greatest generation of rock and roll. The ones that survived are older and wiser.

[@rdschlegel]

Badfinger played at my high school gymnasium, North Penn HS, around 1973-4. I'll never forget it! They were a very, very great band! Their swindler producer should be put in jail for life!

[@cbalducc]

Stan Polley died years ago, a free man.

[@chalyjudge7749]

I’m 70, started playing at age 14 in ‘68, and have loved Badfinger since the beginning. Such beautiful songs and voices, and such a heartbreak. Saw Joey last night in Happy Together 2024 in Atlantic City. Great show! The music brings us right back, yet, we can’t go back, so as Joey said, live today, each day. Thank you! 👏😎❤️❤️❤️

[@timmyyoung9026]

Badfinger played a free concert at Piere's a small nightclub in Fort Wayne Indiana and the proceeds went to victims of Hurricane Andrew.... I can't remember if that was '92 or '93.... But we met him afterwards and took pictures with him.... He was such a delightful gentleman.... I know he lived in Minnesota at that time because my cousin told him that he was a songwriter,so Joey wrote down his address for my friend to send his songs to, and told him that if he could record and sell the songs that they could both become rich.... But it never happened because my cousin had lied to him,my cousin couldn't read or write.... Which wasn't very nice of my cousin to deceive him in such a way.... But i remember how excited Joey became over the prospect of possible new song material.... My cousin passed away 15 years ago at the age of 56 from a burst colon.... and Joey Molland lives on.... and it's wonderful that he is still able to entertain.... I know his wife passed away a few years ago.... I don't know how many children they had,but i know she was the love of his life and was from Minnesota, that's how he ended up living in Minnesota.... I also still have a cigarette lighter that Joey gave me that evening,its nothing special,just a regular bic disposable lighter..... But he was trying to light a cigarette,but his lighter wouldn't light,so i pulled out my lighter and he lit his cigarette with mine.... By the way july 21st was 20 years since I quit smoking cigarettes.... and he offered to buy my lighter from me.... And i told him you can have it if I can have yours.... Joey said,but it doesn't work.... I said that's okay I'll just keep it as a souvenir and remember hanging out with you this evening.... So 30 years later I still have the lighter and the pictures taken with Joey and the memory of the concert and how gracious Joey was to spend about 20 minutes hanging out with us.... I do also believe that he is a Born Again Christian now, just as i am.... I just hope i have the opportunity to see him live just 1 more time

[@bernie2231]

Badfinger has never gone out of style! Joey Molland is a survivor! He has seemed to have made a wonderful life for himself. God bless him!

[@robertvillarreal7055]

Praise God for Joey’s Salvation & New Life in Jesus. Loved & Carry On Loving & Living through Their legacy. Love Joey & his sincere persona. God bless Joey & Badfinger days of extreme youth. ☮️❤️🙏🏿🌈

[@buffbuff5016]

Always liked Joey…even more so now. What a lovely man. He knows where his blessings come from. ❤️

[@andyeaston8391]

I feel this man is a solid character, genuine and resourceful. Badfinger were special, he is the real deal too.

[@mr.crighton9491]

you can sense Joey's bright spirit and kind soul. He's only getting better with the years.

[@KOOLDELI]

This wonderful human being literately brought me to tears, what a joy to hear him speak, just a lovely chap, it made my day! ✌& ❤

[@richardbitner7709]

Joey, we're blessed to have had you and the boys in our lives. Proud and lucky to call you our friend. Love you

[@felighn]

Had a crush on Joey since their heyday when I was 12. Finally met him at the 50 year Beatles White Album tribute tour in 2019. Beautiful man inside and out. Thanks Joey for keeping Badfinger alive ❤

[@derekec]

I saw that show at BBKIng's in NY. Didn't realize it was a tour. Eddie Brigati and May Pang were there, with Eddie doing How Can I Be Sure. Was Peter Frampton part of that tour also? I recall seeing him on a Beatle album recreation and think that was the one and doing While My Guitar..... And yeah, Joey's been through the school of hard knocks, a great guy and a true survivor. Definitely deserves the ranks of "hero".

[@shewhispers45]

I had a crush on him too since 12. My husband and I attended the same tour and got to meet everyone except for Christopher Cross. He didn’t want to do take part in the meet and greet. When it came time to pick the spot I wanted to stand to get our group photograph of course I stood next to Joey and Jason Scheff from Chicago was on the other side. Just as the photo was being taken Joey and Jason started tickling me. I totally felt like a teenager in that instant. That was a great concert. Todd Rundgren, Mickey Dollenz, Christopher Cross, Jason and Joey. They all sounded amazing and hearing them perform Beatles songs along with their hits was the icing on the cake.

[@felighn]

@shewhispers45 we also took pictures with Joey. It was a night to remember I will always treasure ❤️

[@edbeck5692]

Great show.

[@toddwilkinson7630]

I've met Joey before and just spoke to him briefly. He was kind, friendly, and humble, and I was very impressed with him. I've always loved Badfinger's music. I was thrilled. Keep it going, Joey!!

[@lannylancaster62]

I'm with Joey, we should be grateful and give thanks. The world would be a better place. A true gentleman.

[@easy56wedge]

Saw Badfinger back in the day. Saw Joey and Tommy’s Airwaves-era Badfinger years later. Then met Joey as I worked backstage at a concert industry awards show. He could not have been nicer and accommodating. Got my pic with him and he signed my original copy of the Straight Up album. I’m glad he’s well and still keeping the Badfinger flame alive.

[@philpartynski3125]

Badfinger has played and continues to play a significant role in my life. My brother and I sang their songs when we were growing up in the 60’s and I still cover them when I’m out playing solo gigs. I was too young to see them live, but I was fortunate to see Joey and “Badfinger” play at Chicago’s Navy Pier a couple of decades ago. Thank you for the great music and the memories! They will live on forever in my life! 😊🎶❤

[@davidkarecki9044]

Best band ever...

[@liza8423]

It's great Joey keeping up the good spirits singing along with the guys and letting all the bitter memories behind...i still enjoy listening The Badfinger brilliant past songs..they are awesome! RIP ⚘️

[@ManuelGutierrez-bo1fb]

Such a sad story.... Glad for Joey, still going strong!!

[@tangerinerose3724]

He's got a great personality. Love him. God bless you Joey.❤

[@kennethholmbergoriginalmus2582]

I hope that he's really successful, he deserves it. Such a sad story about Badfinger. Huge like for him and his band.

[@ScarecrowsDream1977]

What a down to earth and humble man.

[@spybond007]

God bless you Joey, and thank you for the memories.

[@barroncrist5779]

I saw Badfinger live in 1972 in Chicago. Always loved this band.

[@Geebs2161]

Such a great example of a Human Doing 🎉He’s continuing onward doing what he loves & is a gift to us, who dig their music. 🫶🏽Thank you Growing Bolder for posting this 🤘🏽

[@cynthia2128]

No matter what I still love you Joey! Keep on rocking❤

[@gretapetersen2270]

💞 atleast one member lived a long life 🙏 my heart will always break with the Badfinger members 💔

[@saharab4431]

so glad to see joey still going and staying well xxx sending him endless love and good health

[@davidpeightal4918]

Such a amazing songs. Somehow as a kid I thought the Beatles were writing the songs for them. They really were every bit as good. Thank you for the video. This is a good man.

[@joeking433]

The Beatles did have a lot to do with "Come and Get It", which was written by Paul McCartney and "Day after Day", which was produced by George Harrison for most of it as well as his slide playing on it.

[@beet1]

Badfinger are great !!!!

[@derekec]

Joey's a good guy, I mean a really good, humble guy with the perspective of having suffered life's slings and arrow. I've never had the pleasure of meeting him but have friends in NY (Staten Island) who have and worked with him and they've related.

[@rumblehat4357]

I met him at one of his gigs in a club in NYC in 1999. He really is a down to earth good guy. At least that’s my opinion.

[@jsterling6805]

Great songs, great group, great voices and harmony. So sad.

[@mikemclenison8200]

Wonderful interview! He certainly has a admirably humble prospective on life. Bravo Joey!

[@wilberry7]

still love these old songs

[@Mr.56Goldtop]

Keep on rockin' Joey! We love you! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@jt20042]

Great musician and even greater man. We are thankful for the gift of his music!!! God bless Joey!!

[@mauricelaidler4789]

Good on you, Joey! Keep on enjoying your music.

[@caveatemp]

One of the first records I ever bought. I went in to my local shop and asked for Come and Get It by the Beatles. I was corrected.

[@LPS-R-US]

Very nice segment. Best wishes to Joey. Keep rockN

[@loopy7776]

I love Badfinger.

[@poprocksradio]

Man, he still sounds just amazing...

[@susyandlexi3887]

Thank you Joey!

[@PecosMoon]

Awesome 😎👍 love Badfinger

[@thomaspenderel]

Joey and his current band mates should appear on Britain's got talent or on The Voice, he'd be great.

[@vgshwk]

Good luck Joey carrying that torch can either guide you or burn you. It looks like it is guiding you well.

[@drummerboy1390]

Hang in there Joey. You’ve still got it. Keep those great songs alive.

[@frankieloveband]

Badfinger was one of my favorite groups back then, much appreciated video- I always felt sorry for what happened . Nice to see Joey's interview tonight.

[@Jay-nq2jl]

Great band…such a sad story but great to see him rockin on

[@rustymckenna2485]

I hope I can get to one of your shows, Joey. I love the songs you guys did and listen all the time. I think I have everything you guys recorded. Thank you Amazon Music!! I also actually have four of your albums on vinyl, all in good shape!! Thank you for all of the beautiful music, Joey! It means so much to us fans! 🙂

[@FrankieBoy-wn6qt]

Rock on joey…what a lovely guy you stay healthy man.👍👍👍

[@WillieBeard]

Acoustic Baby Blue…stunning. Made these old eyes well up.

[@theodery2712]

Epic, totally zen, grateful, in the now, no bitterness, an evolved human being, congratulations. The idea that two young men, one 27, ( you don't hear Pete mentioned😮the " 27" club along Brian, Kurt, Aimee and Jimi ) the other 35 would hang themselves, not realizing the whole future ahead, the lack of foresight. Luckily this guy carried the torch, what a statement. Growing up hearing there songs, them knowing the tragedy THEN to see this video....

[@davidsaba]

Fantastic! What a fantastic & cool guy! Still singing beautifully as well....

[@Tuscarora]

Joey was a great fun to be around when I hung with him a bit....looks like he hasn't changed. I wish I had stayed around sometimes. Good on ya, Joey. I'll bring the Old Specked Hen.

[@LimitlessStudioProductions-LSP]

Watching videos of Badfinger playing live, keep your eyes on Joey. He's always smiling at the camera and having fun.

[@russdowns]

This is a nice project, I always enjoy song’s stripped down and acoustic! I saw Badfinger twice when I was in high school. They walked past me to the stage when I saw them in Fairfax. I broke down and cried when found out Pete had died, and how, and why, just too, too sad, then Tom a few years later… I know Mike passed away years ago, I’m glad Joey has been able to keep the music alive, and be able to make a living doing what he loves! It’s great he’s keeping the hits alive, but I hope he’ll come to Arlington, and do some of his songs as well, Sweet Tuesday Morning, I Can Love You, Constitution, Suit Case, etc… Lots of good song in his brief case as well!

[@Kat-rn6dz]

God bless you Joey, this video put a tear in my eye 😿 ,I grew up as a teen listening to this beautiful band ❤🇺🇲🇬🇧🎸

[@callummccormick8211]

Fair play Joey! Keep goin' man! You & Badfinger are legends! You're lookin' well lad!

[@dangabor8585]

What a truly graced man to live through all that turmoil and be a shining light in this world full of darkness. His music filled my high school days with wonderful memories. Thank you Joey, and God rest the lot of you.

[@anthonyvigliotti6560]

Very nice interview and great to see Joey doing well. I love his solo album Be True To Yourself. Highly recommend! 👍

[@richardclegg5853]

GREAT band and whats seems a real great guy... best of lucky Joey, keep the music alive as long as you can because it surely will be missed someday

[@Ariel-T-Friesner]

When I first heard Badfinger sing "Come and Get It," I thought they were The Beatles! Great harmony! (No wonder: The song was written by Paul McCartney.) It is unfortunate that two band members didn't realize that despite their financial problems, they had more going for them than most of us ever would. Thanks to Joey Molland for holding up our memories with positivity.

[@stevekirksey9293]

I’m glad he’s still around my cousin Craig who played guitar also looked identical to Joey back in the day I wonder about the drummer

[@kevinjoseph517]

I heard JM at mc cabes santa monica years back...w a young band. thx

[@lorireed5291]

Thank you, Joey!

[@Sunshine-do3yv]

Love, love Badfinger......🎼🎼🎶🎵🎵🇬🇧🇬🇧🇺🇸🇺🇸💔💔💔💔know all their songs......I remember all the songs

[@joeking433]

I think those five songs are about the best five songs of any band ever. "Come and Get It", "Day after Day", "Without You", "Baby Blue", and "No Matter What", were awesome songs!

[@lensmann100]

Integrity and modesty-well done that man.

[@johns3081]

I'm so glad to know that Joey is doing okay and getting royalties. These four guys worked so hard and got nothing from their slimy agent. They should have stayed with Apple and the Beatles. But, hindsight is always 20/20. I was around 14 when I first heard their music and I could not stop playing their album over and over, it was incredible, every song. Joey was behind their bass sound and he made that music penetrate your soul. That guitar and that man, what a pair.

[@derekec]

Couldn't be done "Without You" (wink 😉wink) 💖

[@olddoggeleventy2718]

Just an awesome group of fellows and wonderful musicians. Thank you Joey.

[@lawrencealberts898]

Of those songs that weren’t the big hits by Badfinger, some of my favorite tracks are those sung by Joey Molland. Better Days, Love Me Do, and Sweet Tuesday Morning

[@jeffreywickens3379]

This is soooo cool. I'm glad that Joey is still with us and representing Badfinger.

[@beachlifebestlife]

beautiful .....joey sounds great...been a fan since 1970 bought every lp of badfinger....still have them...

[@hohaia01]

Good on you Joey and thanks.

[@haroldped]

What an overall decent guy! Great musician, great take on life. Live on, my friend.

[@HettiedeKorteDiplomaat]

So sad two people took their own lives at such a young age. Senseless. They probably had a bright future with the right manager.

[@sappo504]

I met Joey after a gig in a Boston suburbs at some point in the early '90's and he was just like this. Did NOT have to be so friendly and forthcoming with the lot I was with, but there he was, gracious, witty , engaging and super down to earth.

[@KingBobCat]

Would love to see Joey in concert if he ever comes my way..... 😃

[@tomneily9506]

Thank you your songs are great i just watched 2001 show great songs god bless and thank you

[@johnblood3731]

Would love to see him in concert. Seems to be a nice guy.

[@CoojertM]

What a lovely, happy, humble guy Joey is. Thx for keeping the music alive.

[@user-jn8eg2tc8z]

Joey. God's blessings upon you. I met you through Thomas Wiggins. Be well, OK?

[@robbiedaug]

I often wonder why none of the fab 4 didn't help them out with any gigs working with any of the solo fab 4, until Bad Finger worked out their financial woes. It's like everyone abandoned them.

[@JohnNiemsMusic]

I've been saying that for decades! Where were the BEATLES when BADFINGER needed them the most? One of the reasons could it have been they were jealous of how great their musicianship was compared to theirs? PETE was a musical genius and one heck of a writer and musician as one example.

[@rumblehat4357]

Not an excuse, but you have to remember how much of a train wreck Apple was by then, and how much fighting between the Beatles was going on. McCartney did say something years later about “If he’d only known” how much anguish Pete was going through to do what he did. The whole thing was a mess. Had Pete and Tommy held out, they would have been massively wealthy from just the publishing right of “Without You.”

[@robbiedaug]

@@rumblehat4357 Everything you wrote is spot-on correct. But i dunno about the Beatles not knowing anything. I heard Paul in an interview on the subject refer to Ham's death as, "Why? No need?", meaning why did he kill himself?...there was no need to do that. Evans did become rich from Without You, but he still killed himself because the other guys wanted a share of the royalties which were always supposed to have been shared between the band no matter who wrote the songs - that's what i've read about why the other members pressured Evans for money - and he killed himself because he apparently couldn't deal with all the pressure. There was something about Evans "not remembering" about the royalty agreement that was like, maybe, verbally made and expected to be respected, and when he was confronted with it, his "comfortable bubble", so to speak, cracked, and he felt like Pete had felt and wanted to be where Pete went to escape what both Pete and he (Evans) may have viewed as "vultures" circling for money. Sad. I wonder if Petera Ham gets any of the royalties, these days.

[@rumblehat4357]

@@robbiedaug I think you are referring to the same McCartney interview, just a different part. As far as Pete’s daughter, I would think she should receive royalties, but I really don’t know. Did the other Beatles not know or not care? No idea, but I’m sure those days were crazy and hectic with infighting and Apple tanking and Klein in financial damage control, so I could see how they didn’t know, or it was one of those “I’ll get to it tomorrow.” Well, one day “tomorrow” never came for Pete.

[@robbiedaug]

@@rumblehat4357 As speculators (is that a word?), we can only speculate.

[@user-xy3we1ol9w]

Great share. Joey seems grounded.

[@phillipschlegel6663]

That's what we're supposed to do Joey keep rocking I'm 67 you look good for 74

[@johnadams5357]

What a beautiful Human Being.

[@Dakota-xi6cg]

Joey was so gorgeous when he was young.😘

[@daviddonnelly3529]

I met Joey in Liverpool at the unveiling of the Brian Epstein statue he was very approachable and spent a few minutes talking about living in America etc and happily speaking to anybody who approached shaking hands . . really nice guy (are you listening Ringo?).

[@davidjackson2690]

Love this guy.

[@robertmichalscheck3072]

He’s playing these songs in the original key,awesome.

[@davidmckain7674]

Great interview😢

[@fillippV]

Head first is a awesome album 👍

[@StratmanDarrell]

You had some fantastic songs. I was able to master Baby Blue on guitar. Great tune!!

[@gill.5116]

God bless you Joey honestly you survived and we are still playing your music in cover bands - may the lord keep you healthy and happy

[@rumblehat4357]

I met Joey at a gig in NYC in 1999. Good guy. Signed a couple of autographs. I think he just wanted to play and mind his business, but I do think he was influenced by people around him to get him to speak up, and maybe that caused some friction. Pete, Mike and Tommy didn’t seem to realize what was happening with Polley, but I think Kathie (Joey’s wife) did, but they had a hard time convincing the rest what was going on. I could imagine it being very frustrating for both Joey and Kathie. Pete, from what I’ve read, was very loyal, and didn’t think anyone would betray him. I guess that would was his biggest flaw; always trying to see good in people rather than a little skepticism. After all, there were already questionable things going on with Polley before his time with Badfinger.

[@Ariel-T-Friesner]

What did Polley do before he was Badfinger's agent?

[@rumblehat4357]

Apparently he managed Lou Christie (a 1960s singer) and robbed him too. Polley allegedly had mob ties as well.

[@jamesphair7694]

RIP PETE HAM MY FRIEND

[@joeking433]

He still has a really good voice.

[@sejrec56]

I was fortunate to meet Tommy and Mike in 1982 on US Tour, playing a club called the Thirsty Whale in Schiller Park Illinois and after they played another band went on and Tom and Mike went into the other bar in other end of building and I followed them in there bought them a few drinks and talked about Badfinger , the history and suicide of Pete. Talked about the corrupt manager who stole their money. This went on got little over two hours...I knew my Badfinger get and Ivy's stuff , he had a few laughs but when we talked about Pete's suicide , I said to him, "now you wouldn't do something like Pete did would you?" He looked at me and said he wanted to be where Pete was! But fast forward to 2020/21 Joey was to perform at the Arcada Theatre in St Charles Illinois And I had a friend who worked there who knew how big of a Badfinger fan I was, so he and Joey did a FaceTime with me, and I was able to talk w Joey for a few minutes. He was very nice n respectful to me . So I didn't get to meet him physically but I did with face time , so that was very cool. I totally appreciated . So I was finally able to talk with original 3 members of classic Badfinger lineup. Tommy, Mike and Joey . Wishing you Good health Joey Molland.