Joey Molland, Last Surviving Member of Badfinger, Dies at 77

Image credits: Bobby Bank/Getty Images

Joey Molland, the guitarist for the 1970s Welsh pop-rock band Badfinger, has passed away at 77, leaving behind a legacy of music and a devoted fan base. Molland was the last surviving member of the band's classic lineup, which was known for hits like "No Matter What," "Day After Day," and "Baby Blue." He died surrounded by family on Saturday night, according to his social media manager, after a long battle with multiple health issues.

Badfinger was one of the first acts signed to the Beatles' Apple Records label and had a string of hits in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The band's career was marked by tragedy, including the deaths of founding members Pete Ham and Tom Evans, who both took their own lives. Molland continued to tour and record music under the Badfinger name, releasing several solo albums and collaborating with other artists. He was also a member of the rock band Natural Gas and worked on several solo projects with former Beatles members, including George Harrison and John Lennon.

Molland's death has sparked an outpouring of tributes from fans and fellow musicians, who remembered him as a talented guitarist and a kind and generous person. His music continues to be celebrated by fans around the world, and his legacy as a key figure in the development of 1970s rock music remains unchanged. Some of Badfinger's most notable releases include:

• "Come and Get It" (1969)
• "No Matter What" (1970)
• "Day After Day" (1971)
• "Baby Blue" (1971)
• "Without You" (1970)

Molland's solo discography includes albums such as "This Way Up," "After the Pearl," and "Be True to Yourself." He remained active in the music scene until his health began to decline in late 2024, and his passing has left a void in the lives of his fans and fellow musicians. Despite the challenges he faced throughout his life and career, Molland remained committed to his music and his fans, and his legacy will continue to be celebrated for years to come.

In recent years, Molland's music experienced a resurgence in popularity, thanks in part to the use of "Baby Blue" in the final episode of the TV series "Breaking Bad." The song's inclusion in the show introduced Badfinger's music to a new generation of fans and sparked a renewed interest in the band's catalog. As Molland himself noted, the experience was a thrilling reminder of the power of music to transcend time and touch people's lives in unexpected ways.