Pete Ham
Fin Costello/RedfernsBadfinger’s Pete Ham on stage.
Badfinger founder Pete Ham was born on April 27, 1947 in Swansea, Wales. The 1970s power pop band was touted as the next Beatles; the Fab Four even signed the band to their Apple label in the late 1960s.
Badfinger then scored hit after hit between 1970 and 1972, including “Baby Blue” and “Without You,” which has been covered by hundreds of artists like Harry Nilsson and Mariah Carey.
But things turned sour for Ham (and the entire band) at the tail end of 1971. They made the move to Warner Bros. after problems with the Apple label. Their new manager, Stan Polley, essentially robbed them blind and then disappeared afterward when served with a lawsuit. Warner Bros. then severed ties with the band, causing Ham and company to lose out on large amounts of royalty payments.
Michael Putland/Getty ImagesGeorge Harrison with Pete Ham at Apple Recording Studios in London in 1971.
A depressed Ham met bandmate Tom Evans for some drinks and told him, “Don’t worry, I know a way out.” That night, perhaps under the effects of the alcohol, he went home and hung himself in his garage. He left a note to his pregnant wife:
“I will not be allowed to love and trust everybody. This is better. Pete.
PS: Stan Polley is a soulless bastard. I will take him with me.”
Pete Ham almost missed the 27 Club when he died on April 24, 1975; his 28th birthday was just three days away.
