British guitarist analyses Badfinger live in 1972! 

What breaks my heart the most is they wrote the most covered song of all time (and so much more) and they both died penniless. Stan Polley should have got a life sentence for what he did.

One of the saddest story's in rock. RIP, Pete.

The Badfinger story is one of the most sad stories in the industry. RIP Tom & Pete.

Why is Badfinger not in the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame? They were an amazing band.

Those poor guys. I love the group. If they had been treated right, there is no telling what heights they would have reached. Rest In Peace Pete, Tony and Mike. May your memory last forever.

I saw Badfinger (opening act Al Kooper ) at NYC Carnegie Hall, March 1, 1972. Fantastic !!

Great video Fil! I have some great inside info on Badfinger and Pete Ham. When my wife was 17, a few weeks before her 18th birthday she went to see Badfinger on their first American tour in November 1970. They played a small club called The Bull and Heifer, the building is still there and a 5 minute walk from our home. She was accompanied by her older sister and her friends. My wife caught the attention of Pete early that evening and he came over to introduce himself to her when they went on break. Pete invited my wife, her sister and friends to a party after the show at their hotel with the band and crew, Bill Collins....... it was all very well mannered and innocent, mellow evening. Pete was a true gentleman and didn’t pull any rockstar type moves on my wife. She said they all were very well mannered and not one of them got out of line. They had another show the next night and invited my wife and everyone to come that show in Ithaca NY where Cornell university is located. It’s about a 40 minute drive from our location. Needless to say it was a memorable evening and they had some good conversations on the way back from the gig. Everyone rode in the back of the back of a large rental van back to the hotel. My wife and Pete said their goodbyes, and sadly never got to see him again. She did get a lot of photos from the two days which hang in our living room to this day in a collage type frame with photos and notes on napkins and such. Pete gave my wife a hat that he wore on stage those gigs. That hat can be seen in many photos and videos of Pete before he gave it to her. She still has it packed away. She went to see Badfinger in 1989 with her sister, she got to sit and talk with Joey and Mike who were still playing together at that time. She gave them copies of all the photos from 1970. There was a documentary DVD about their sad story released in the 90’s. As we sat down and watched it for the first time my wife suddenly spoke up and said, “ that’s my picture ! “ we paused it and sure enough it was a picture of her and Pete side by side, but sadly they cropped my wife’s face from the photo. We could see her hair still in one spot and could compare it to the photo that was hanging a few feet away in the room. It was the photo she’d given to Joey and Mike. She belongs to Badfinger fan page on Facebook and gets asked questions from a lot of fans who never got to see Pete in person. Just a few weeks ago a young man from Scotland called via Facebook and was asking her questions about Pete, I spoke with him a bit too. So cool these young people dig their music. We went to see Joey play last year and I had the pleasure to speak with him and talk music a bit. Nice guy, still played pretty good and sang well being in his mid seventies. A lot more to the story but I was thrilled when I saw this video you did on them pop up. I just got done watching and my wife called me in to the living room and said one of her friends from the Badfinger page sent her the link to your video. I told her I was just about to tell her about it but her friend beat me to it. Thought I’d share that little bit of history of Badfinger with you.

Loved Badfinger. One of the ultimate victims of corruption.. wish they had continued.

Badfinger Behind the Music was probably the most sad depressing rock documentary I have ever scene.

Oh my gosh Fil. This is beyond horrific. I grew up listening to them and loved their music. How very sad. I had no idea.

It's so sad they live in our hearts❤

Great analysis Fil. Stan Polley and Allen Klein (former Rolling Stones manager) were two of the most despicable, unscrupulous managers in the history of rock music. Badfinger was a great band...such a sad history.

Pete is so very talented while remaining humble and shy. Love Badfingers music. He is awesome on piano. Song writing from the heart. Pete and Tommy the harmony amazing. Tommy couldn't ever get over loosing Pete. So sad Pete wasn't able to be their when his daughter Petera was born. British rockers are thee greatest. These songs take me back to my teen years. Love all their albums. Stan was their down fall.... Cost 2 young lives....

They played this at my roller rink. ❤️

Such a heart breaking story. No mercy for these kind of people. I really mean that.

One of the greatest bands of all time, definitely the fore fathers of power pop. Sadly underated by many. That bastard Stan Polley is burried in the same cemetery as my Mother, Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside,CA...Time to relocate Mom.

The bass player's harmonies....WOW !! Such a tragic story.

"I remember finding out about you. Every day my mind is all around you"... My favorite Badfinger song. Nice analysis video as usual.

I loved their music, such great melodic songs, not to mention the outstanding talent. So sad to hear of their misfortune at the hands of a greedy madman.

One of those bands people don’t seem to know, then you play a few songs and they recognize them all. 👍🏻

You hit the nail on the head .No tricks, no gimmicks, just pure talent ! God bless the U.K. and the artist you gave us .

There is a plaque to Pete Ham at Swansea Railway Station, in the town where I now live, and Ham's home town. A good band, but a very sad story.

Badfinger is one of those bands that goes under the radar. But when one of their great old songs comes on the radio, I just can't help but sing along, especially this song. The legal issues surrounding record labels and such tainted everything about Badfinger, and it is sad. But their great music and spirit will live forever. Stan "Polley", Idk what happened to him, but Ham should have kicked his door in and strangled him instead of taking his own life. Skynyrd got screwed over too by those in the music industry. Thanks Fil for shining a light on this great band.

Another Beatles connection was that George Harrison played slide guitar on, and produced their hit Day After Day".

I agree those harmonies are Beatles sounding, first thing I thought of when they sang. In fact, old Beatles fan that I am, I thought it was them when I first heard this song on the radio. How embarrassing. Shame how they were treated, such talent. Thanks for the lesson professor Fil. ^_^

This was always one of my favs to play in my band days! RIP Pete and Tom

I watched this again after I watched Baby Blue again. I joined your channel when you had 13K subs, this was 73K and now you're over 309K. A great testament to your personality. I showed the song Baby Blue to a friend who plays in a Swiss band, he had never heard of Badfinger, and he never watched Breaking Bad. I told him even if it wasn't his style, it could be a crowd pleaser.

I always loved their harmonies. Unique voices made a great sound harmonizing...

They really were talented, and are overlooked. All one has to do is to sit down and see the Concert For Bangladesh one time and how much they helped to make that show excellent. Then you can see the harmonies and the ability to play and perform with the likes of Georgie, Ringo, Clapton, et al in a big time setting.

Badfinger was absolutely awesome !!

May they rest in peace

BadFinger! 4 amazing musicians that certainly deserved bigger better for their fruits of labor🎶but sadly management took it away from these humbled lads..BadFinger music is timeless🎶❤️thank you Fil!✌🏼

They were overshadowed by the Beatles. Way underrated band, most people over 50 can sing along to all their songs!

I haven't heard this band in a long time. Wow Fantastic Fil you really analyze the classics. Great job. Very distinct voice, great powerful and tight vocals

Exactly right Fil, so many artist got screwed by managers and record companies. The only ways to get music heard was radio stations and touring and playing any gig you can get.

Like Many "younger Baby Boomer's, born'61" Badfinger was part of my young life. Great group and Melodic groove. Reminiscent of the Beatles. Tragic story, Great Great song. I love the Vocals. I was feeling the rhythm guitar Man. Great Job.

Pete had such a beautiful voice…how l wish his story had unfolded differently. I remember reading the whole “Paul is dead…no, hang on, he’s in Badfinger!” stories at the time in my cousin’s music magazines. I was only eight but even I thought it was Paul singing on this. Such a sad story with Pete, rest his soul❤️

Love this live version! Rock Solid. How betrayed they were, with the worst outcome

Pete has mannerisms that remind me of John Lennon. Thanks for analysing this one, Fil.. My favourite non-Beatle band.

Saw them in concert in 1970 at the Coliseum in Houston. The full show was Leo Sayer, Poco, Badfinger and Leon Russell. It was the finest music on the planet . Best concert I that I ever attended.

Fil, See this is why your channel is so important you bring light to the bands that may have been forgotten. I always was a massive fan of Badfinger and didn't know what happened to them, now I do because of you. Tears for greed yet a smile for such great music.

One of my favorite songs ever, Pete and Tom's story is so sad.. but they left some incredible music. Thanks for going back so far Fil, I don't know what I'd do without great music.

I remember when all their stuff came out. The good years of rock. We didn't know some of these tunes would be played for 50 years!

Pete Ham was one of the greatest talents ever! I never understood why the BEATLES never helped them when they needed it! The group was their first signed to APPLE and they had so many hits and were just getting started but had no help and with their scum bag cheater agent they were penniless. Pete and Tom Evans both hanged themselves (Pete in 1975 and Tom in 1983). and they were co-writers to one of the greatest ballads ever written WITHOUT YOU with the chorus written by TOM and the verse written by PETE! Put them together and you get one of the greatest collaborations in history! RIP PM - RIP TE - and RIP Mike Gibbons their drummer! Great work again FIL!

Thank you, Fil, both for the analysis and the passionate account of the band's mistreatment and where that lead.

Thank you for sharing Badfinger's music and story! Those greedy wicked music industry vultures 😡have blood on their hands and they will ultimately answer for what they've done...😪 ✌❤🤘

What a great band and song. So underrated. Thanks so much.

one of my favorite groups. they were so great. thanks for a great review & history. so sad what did them in.

One of my favorite rock tunes 😎

Thanks for this video of one of my favorite bands growing up. I knew of some of the trouble they went through but had no idea of the hell it was. 2 people commiting suicide because of this Stan jackoff burned them so bad and all I can say is I hope instant karma will get you and get you real good Stan if it hasn't already. Thanks again Fil and blessings to all surviving members of one great band and prayers to those no longer here!

Thank you so much Fil - Your recent analysis of Harry Nilsson's "Without You" brought me here for the rest of the story. I've always loved this song and I'm so angry about how Badfinger was swindled out of so much and caused the eventual suicide of two members. I've loved your channel for 2 yrs and very much appreciate all that you share with your community. You are one of a kind.

Baby Blue was my favorite song of theirs. Not only did they neglect to hire an attorney; not a single member of their band even considered that they needed an attorney. They were that naive. A court might have ruled the contract void and awarded them a judgment against Stan, on the grounds that contract provisions were unconscionable and that there was never any "meeting of the minds" because the band was misled, in regard to what they were signing.

So tragic, such great band

First off, Thank You for featuring Badfinger here. 1972 was one the best years of my life (i was 15) and tunes from this band were there. Play a bit of guitar and have gone off and on. "94, full on buying a Zoom 1010 floor processor. One evening i stumble upon a tone like No Matter What's intro. Worked the whole tune up and hit it many times,,,,,,of course, no vocals, sadly (maaaaybe Jimi if i wasn't playing). What happened to Pete Ham was tragic.

Given their closeness, and personal relationships individually between the already broken up Beatles and the thriving Badfinger, I wish one or more of the Beatles could have helped these guys out. They HAD to know the big picture. What a tragic story.

Thanks Fil. I have heard Badfinger referred to as the best band of all time whose name you can't remember. Their music was amazing. Cheers.

Loved your video and love the way you point out where these guys hearts were at. I lived Badfinger back in the day and truly ashame that these guys were screwed over so badly! I have been accused of living in the past but back in those days, these guys only had their music and they paved the way for so much of the music world. They didn't have computers etc. like today, was pure talent! And most of them got screwed by management in one way or another.

I saw them play "Shock Theater" in 1982. They were trapped in Milwaukee for a time. A horror story indeed.

Badfinger was a great little band for sure with a sad ending,..Thanx for another analysis Fil,I think you have the best music channel on the tube !!!

This song takes me back to my childhood..😊

Absolutely the very best ever power pop song from the very best ever power pop band. If I could play and sing one song well, this might just be the one I’d choose. How could anyone not feel amazing listening to this? Sadly, a handful of the notes are just outside of my range.

National radio air play was the objective. Bad Finger got alot of air play. Like Credence Clearwater Revival, the label screwed them. Big money.

Nice Video Fil. I like the way you brought it back to the music at the end, where it should be . so may Musicians, Actors, Sports stars. All getting screwed back in the day. They paved the way for Performers today. But a hell of a price to pay.

I loved that song when I was a teen and the voices.

A great band and a sad story. Pete was truly one of the great vocalists, and the band was so good! Great commentary,and analysis Fil!!!!

Thank you for the analysis video, my kids(teens) watch your videos with me and this one made them angry. Your explanation of what happened to the band created quite a conversation about how new music can be released today compared to the early 70's.

I am so glad I discovered this GREAT site !

In '72 when I was 14, I wasn't clued into the industry, I just dug great music and Badfinger were in a chorus of amazing groups and performers. In the years since, I've discovered the destructive exploitation by unscrupulous managers and executives that was a reality for many bands back then. Good art and greed are tragically aligned more often than not it seems. Still one of my favourite tunes of theirs.......along with Baby Blue and Day after Day.

Song brings back memories . Love your channel Fil great job !

Hello Fil... it’s good to be back. I had my surgery and I am really happy to say that it worked and I feel tons better.

Awesome band. Man, I miss the 70s. Fantastic new music, summer days of hanging out with tons of neighborhood kids in the park, parents nowhere to be seen, and smoking my first joint✌. Nothing will ever compare with those carefree, fun filled days. This music takes me back immediately and I'm truly gratetful Fil. Cheers💗

Used to cover this song about 25 years ago- didn't learn the sad story until a few years ago. Love the harmonies.

Thank you Fil. More fantastic factoids I never knew. Those are always the best factoids. This one was filled with especially heavy facts (I never knew)! Wow

Thanks for this vid. Ive always loved Badfinger. Pete and Tom were great singers and songwriters. Pete has a couple of albums of demos that are really great. Pls do another BF video soon. Baby Blue? Day after Day? Theres even more to discuss abt this band. Check out the book " Without You the Tragic Story of Badfinger". Rock!

Feel really privileged that I saw this lineup in Vancouver in /74 . Remember Joey horsing around......great concert !

When I first heard Day After Day, I thought is was one of the best Paul McCartney performances ever. Silly me. Many people do not realize that Nilsson's Without You was written by Badfinger Evans and Ham. Nilsson, a song writer himself, having written Three Dog Night's "One" had covers as two of his biggest hits. Come And Get It was written by Paul McCartney. All of the members of Badfinger were song writers. Publishing royalties typically brings in a LOT more money than record sale royalties. The trick is to own your own publishing company. There is a REASON why it is call the music BUSINESS.

I always learn something new when I watch your vids. Great job once again!

Great job Fil .. Keep it going. I enjoy watching you almost nightly

Awesome Fil!!.... Once again your knowledge is second to none!!👍👍 great job👍👍♿♿👍👍🙏🍺🍺👍😎👍👍

I love that song! Awesome video. Another great analysis! Thanks Fil🤘🎵✌

This is a great channel appreciate this so much❤

great job putting that story line (of their demise) together!!! That is a very intricate yarn to decipher!! Great BAND!!

Love it Fil - it was splendid ! Thank you very much

I love that song: an oldie, but a goodie! 👍🏻

I remember this, what a sad, sad, story for such a great band. Just think of all the other hits they would have had and that the fans missed out on if Stanley would have not been involved. What a loss.

Great break down Fil.Sad situation man Smh.Great music though!Nice shirt too man...80s baby right here haha.Gotta love that decade 👍🏾👍🏾 ROCK/Peace

This was a great live take. Everything is mic'd pretty well and the levels are right on for the vocals, bass, drums and guitars. You can really hear everyone evenly. Good channel!

Love your work Fil. It's unique, insightful, honest, well researched and just plum excellent. Much appreciated.

Watching the joy on your face, as you listen...that means the world! You get it, you understand just how wonderful they were, as a band. I appreciate your knowledge of all that happened to this amazing band. I was born in '65, and as a little girl, I remember listening to this song in particular, in the back of my parent's car, and thinking...THIS IS LOVE! This is what it all means. I still keep that fantasy. That's how impressive Badfinger was, to even a kid, like me. Anyway...the very very sad demise of Pete and Tom. I am still so devastated about how this all played out! Going back to the music though...so wonderful, so important IMO in the music of that time. One of the best bands...ever. My heart still aches for the loss. Thank you so much, for paying homage to Badfinger. Thank you as well for exposing to all who don't know the story of Badfinger, of all the corruption of the music industry/management. I will always appreciate the music of Badfinger. and YOU...for giving them notice. Thank you.

Love this stuff, saw them live a couple of times and opened for them. Power pop at their best!

Fil , another awesome job in describing what happened to these guys so Sad. Love the way you describe things and everything that’s going on you are the best thank you keep up the good work

Thanks, Fil. Good music after some heavy subjects. Just what I needed

Wow had forgot all about them... so glad you played this ! What a great band that got lost in history.... great analysis and sad back story ( that happens so many times... a great group of talented artists that put their career(s) in the wrong hands )😟 You keep playing music videos and analyzing and we'll be here every night to continue our music education 😎🎸 One last try for .... The Faces ( I know ) I'm Losing You live BBC Songs on Saturday 1971 one of the true classics that this new generation needs to hear ! Thank you Fil for a wonderful channel, I really enjoy stopping in hear ever night 😆

First ... love the T Shirt! I’d forgotten about this band. My cousin used to listen to them all the time ! Good choice. 🤘🏻🤘🏻💙

Fil! I am constantly both amazed at your level of detail and historical knowledge of the musicians you analyze! Rock!

My older brother bought this single and I Loved those magical guitar sounds ! The b side was called 'Better Days' and was a fantastic recording !

I had grown up with Bad Finger. I absolutely love their music and specifically how good Pete Hanm and the whole band sounded live. They always sounded so close to the actual recording, but just slightly different so you could tell they were at least singing live. I know back in those days it wasn't uncommon for them to sing live to a backing track but it never mattered to me. I carried my little transistor radio with me always and listened to WLS out of Chicago. 50,000 watts of rock and roll back then. I was really saddened when I heard of what happened with them. They were too good to have been treated that way. It's really an eye opener to how many of these groups got taken. John Fogarty of CCR had a mess to deal with as well. Thankfully he emerged on the other side intact.

Thank you so much for posting this. In all the tragic stories in rock music, what happened to Badfinger might be the most tragic of them all. They certainly had it all - musical skills, good looks, songwriting ability, good harmonies. Apple chose well when they signed them. My understanding is that the whole band and their wives lived together in a house and the wives knew what Stan was doing but Pete Ham refused to believe it until it was too late. Sadly, he decided to end his life shortly after he came to that realization. According to the band, the bass player never did get over Pete's death and killed himself so he could be with him again. As I said, the Badfinger story may be the saddest of them all.

Thank you so much for doing this analysis and for sharing Badfinger's story. My favorite band!

Oh WOW!!! I have not heard this song in quite sometime Awwwww so good to hear it again🙏💕