The Passing of the Last Original Member of Bad Finger
Joey Molland, the final surviving founding member of the renowned rock band Bad Finger, has sadly departed from this world at the age of 77. The official Facebook page of the band announced his passing on Sunday, March 2. The tribute began, “Well, the day we never wanted to see has arrived.” It continued, “Joey (Joseph Charles) Molland passed away last night, surrounded by Mary, his two sons, and other family members at 11:39pm CST.” The band’s account mentioned that once arrangements were finalized for Molland, they would be shared publicly.
Expressing the shock and sorrow felt by many, the statement further said, “Needless to say, although I knew the situation was bad, it was still a shock to the system. I’m sure if you’re reading this for the first time, it’s a shock to yours, as well.” The band expressed gratitude to Joey for preserving the band’s music for so long and for being a friend to all.
Molland’s demise followed months after his partner Mary Joyce initiated a GoFundMe campaign for him due to health issues that necessitated multiple surgeries. The journey was described as “complicated” and “unpredictable.” Joey had been ill during the fall and later contracted a severe bacterial infection in early December, exacerbated by his diabetes. This infection led to septicemia, affecting various critical organs and bones in his body, alongside a pneumonia diagnosis.
Born in England in 1947, Molland joined Badfinger in 1969, previously known as The Iveys. The band’s original lineup featured Pete Ham on guitar, Tom Evans on bass, and Mike Gibbins on drums. They signed with Apple Records in 1969, and their breakthrough hit was “Come and Get It,” composed by Paul McCartney, reaching No. 7 in the U.S. charts and No. 4 in the UK.
In 1970, Molland contributed to the band’s first album, “No Dice,” which included hits like “No Matter What” and “Without You.” Notable tracks like “Day After Day” and “Baby Blue” further solidified Badfinger’s place in music history. Molland went on to record a total of five albums with the original Badfinger lineup and collaborated with music icons like John Lennon and George Harrison.
In the early 1980s, Joey formed his own version of Badfinger named “Joey Molland’s Badfinger” and toured with them until 2024. Reflecting on his illustrious career in a 2020 interview with Guitar World, Molland remarked, “There are times when it all feels like a dream. Badfinger gave me the opportunity to do everything a musician could want. I got to make records. I heard my music on the radio, and I toured all over. I couldn’t believe the luck we were having.
