Joey Molland

Molland's recording career began in earnest in 1967 when he joined Gary Walker (formerly of the Walker Brothers) for the group Gary Walker & The Rain.{{cite magazine |title=Joey Molland, guitarist and last surviving member of rock group Badfinger, dies at 77 |url=https://ew.com/joey-molland-dead-badfinger-guitarist-last-surviving-member-11689160 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=6 March 2025}} The band released several singles, an EP, and an album on the Polydor and Philips labels in the UK and Japan between 1967 and 1969. Titled #1, the album featured four Molland songs and was especially well received in Japan,{{cite book|author=Matovina, Dan|title=Without You: The Tragic Story of Badfinger|publisher=Francis Glover Books|date=2000|isbn=978-0965712224}} but the band broke up in early 1969.{{Cite web|url=https://thestrangebrew.co.uk/interviews/joey-molland-from-liverpool-to-memphis/|title=Joey Molland – From Liverpool to Memphis}}

Molland joined Badfinger as guitarist in 1969. During Molland's association with Apple Records, he made guest appearances on two George Harrison albums, All Things Must Pass and The Concert for Bangladesh, and the 1971 John Lennon album, Imagine, including the single "Jealous Guy" released in 1985.{{cite book|title=Imagine John Yoko|author=John Lennon and Yoko Ono|publisher=Thames & Hudson Ltd|date=2018|page=196|isbn=978-0-500-021842}}

Molland left Badfinger in late 1974 due to disagreements over management,{{cite web |last1=Halsam |first1=Ben |title=Liverpool rock star signed by The Beatles dies aged 77 |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/liverpool-rock-star-signed-beatles-31113485 |access-date=3 March 2025}} months before band member Pete Ham died by suicide in April 1975.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-22321354|title=Badfinger's Pete Ham: Beatle widow Olivia Harrison joins plaque tributes|work=BBC News|access-date=3 March 2025}} Molland then joined with Jerry Shirley (formerly of Humble Pie) and formed a group called Natural Gas.{{cite web |title=Joey Molland, Badfinger Guitarist, Dead at 77 |url=https://consequence.net/2025/03/joey-molland-badfinger-guitarist-dead/ |website=Consequence |access-date=5 March 2025}} The band released their self-titled album on Private Stock Records in 1976, and enjoyed a successful tour with Peter Frampton the following year. According to Molland, a general lack of organisation led to the band's demise late in 1977.

Molland and former Badfinger bandmate Tom Evans recorded two albums under the Badfinger name, Airwaves in 1979, and Say No More in 1981.{{cite web |title=Airwaves – Badfinger |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/airwaves-mw0000666461 |website=AllMusic |access-date=4 March 2025}}{{cite web |title=Say No More – Badfinger |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/say-no-more-mw0000063997 |website=AllMusic |access-date=4 March 2025}} He and Evans split after Say No More and the two performed in rival touring Badfinger bands until Evans's suicide in November 1983.{{cite book|last=Matovina|first=Dan|title=Without You: The Tragic Story of Badfinger|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eAURGSMNfTUC&pg=PP1|year=2000|publisher=Frances Glover Books|isbn=9780965712224|page=ii}}

Molland's solo recordings were well received. His first, After The Pearl, was released in 1983{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Joey-Molland-After-The-Pearl/master/775562|title=Joey Molland - After the Pearl|website=Discogs |year=1983}} on Earthtone Records. His second, The Pilgrim, was released in 1992 on Rykodisc.{{cite web |title=The Pilgrim – Joey Molland |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/the-pilgrim-mr0001843307 |website=AllMusic |access-date=5 March 2025}} His third, This Way Up, was independently released in 2001. Following the death of Mike Gibbins in October 2005, he became the last surviving member from Badfinger's classic line-up. His 2013 album, Return To Memphis, was released on 13 December.[http://blurtonline.com/review/joey-molland-return-memphis/ Joey Molland – Return To Memphis] Review by Lee Zimmerman on Blurt Magazine Online. Accessed via the internet 18 October 2016

Molland returned to the studio in 2015 with members of 10,000 Maniacs (Ladies First) to release a new version on the classic song, "Sweet Tuesday Morning" from Badfinger's 1972 album Straight Up.{{cite web|url=http://www.badfingersite.com/tues-march-31st-new-version-of-badfingers-sweet-tuesday-morning-to-benefit-whyhunger|title=New version of Badfinger's Sweet Tuesday Morning to benefit WhyHunger|website=Badfingersite.com|access-date=12 April 2015|archive-date=14 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414192842/http://www.badfingersite.com/tues-march-31st-new-version-of-badfingers-sweet-tuesday-morning-to-benefit-whyhunger/|url-status=dead}}

In late 2019 Molland toured with Todd Rundgren, Jason Scheff, Micky Dolenz and Christopher Cross in celebration of the Beatles' self-titled double album, under the banner "It Was Fifty Years Ago Today – A Tribute to the Beatles' White Album". Molland performed the Badfinger songs "Baby Blue" and "No Matter What".{{Cite web|url=https://bestclassicbands.com/beatles-white-album-tribute-tour-9-30-19/|title=Dolenz, Rundgren, Molland Begin Beatles Tribute Tour|website=Bestclassicbands.com|date=30 July 2015}} He continued to tour under the name Joey Molland's Badfinger.{{cite web|title=Obituary Guestbook|url=http://www.legacy.com/guestbooks/startribune/katherine-lee-(Wiggins)molland-kathie-condolences/125478043|website=Legacy.com|access-date=23 July 2016}}

His last album Be True To Yourself was released by Omnivore Recordings on 12 July 2021 and featured the single "Rainy Day Man".{{cite web |title=Joey Molland – Be True To Yourself |url=https://omnivorerecordings.com/shop/be-true-to-yourself/ |website=Omnivore Recordings |access-date=4 March 2025}} Julian Lennon was a contributor.{{cite web|title=A Conversation With Joey Molland (Badfinger)

|url=https://magnetmagazine.com/2020/10/21/a-conversation-with-joey-molland-badfinger/|website=MagnetMagazine|date=21 October 2020|publisher=Magnet Magazine}}

Molland was born in Edge Hill, Liverpool on 21 June 1947.{{Cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/joey-molland-guitarist-last-surviving-195934855.html|title=Joey Molland, guitarist and last surviving member of rock group Badfinger, dies at 77|date=2 March 2025|website=Yahoo Entertainment}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.cavernclub.com/beatleweek-bands-guest-speakers/joey-molland/?srsltid=AfmBOoqOd7w_BbRHqgkrb-waoz4oXkHv0GTtzANZiJtoP4xdwAZ8EAH5|title=Joey Molland|website=Cavern Club}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/liverpool-rock-star-signed-beatles-31113485|title=Liverpool rock star signed by The Beatles dies aged 77|first=Ben|last=Haslam|date=2 March 2025|website=Liverpool Echo}}{{cite news|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/09/arts/music/joey-molland-dead.html|title = Joey Molland of the Power-Pop Band Badfinger Dies at 77|last = Williams|first = Alex|date = 9 March 2025|accessdate = 9 March 2025|newspaper = The New York Times|url-access = limited}} He was married to Katherine Lee "Kathie" Wiggins,{{Cite book |last=Cimino |first=Michael A. |title=Badfinger and Beyond |date= |publisher=Cottage Views Publications |year= |isbn=9781456568689 |publication-date= |pages=129}} who was a native of Minnesota, from 1972 until her death in 2009.{{cite news|url=https://www.syracuse.com/listenup/2009/03/joey_molland_of_badfinger_lose.html|title=Joey Molland of Badfinger loses his wife, Kathie|publisher=Syracuse.com|date=25 March 2025}}{{cite web|title=Katherine Lee "Kathie" Molland|url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/katherine-molland-obituary?id=28758781|website=Legacy.com|date=26 March 2009|accessdate=2 March 2025}} They had two sons, Joey III and Shaun. At the time of his death in March 2025, Molland was in a longtime relationship with Mary Joyce.{{Cite web |last=Bream |first=Jon |date=2 March 2025 |title=Badfinger guitarist Joey Molland dies at 77 |url=https://www.startribune.com/joey-molland-obituary-badfinger-beatles-apple-records-john-lennon-george-harrison-paul-mccartney/601230150 |access-date=4 March 2025 |website=www.startribune.com |language=en}}

By late 2024, Molland faced serious health issues, with his girlfriend Mary stating on Facebook, on 8 December, "Joey is in the ICU. A higher level ICU than when we were admitted."{{cite web|title=Mary's Facebook Post|url=https://www.facebook.com/mary.joyce.505/posts/pfbid0dvmnGwEPLha1iMfJLqhe34MQV6iuExA9EN2troNjBZ5rR26buUN9zZU2hKtmLhBAl|website=Facebook.com|access-date=8 December 2024}} She had previously revealed that, after his final tour, he had "acquired a very bad bacterial infection due to his diabetes." The infection had caused septicemia and travelled through his body, causing harm to many critical organs and bones.{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2025/music/news/joey-molland-dead-badfinger-guitarist-no-matter-what-1236324755/|title=Joey Molland, Badfinger Guitarist Who Kept the Group's Flag Flying for Decades After Other Band Members' Deaths, Dies at 77|first=Chris|last=Willman|date=2 March 2025}}

Molland died from complications of diabetes at a hospital in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, on 1 March 2025. He was 77.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/joey-molland-badfinger-guitarist-dead-obituary-1235285292/|title=Joey Molland, Badfinger Guitarist, Dead at 77|first=Daniel|last=Kreps|publisher=Rolling Stone |date=2 March 2025 |access-date=2 March 2025}}{{Cite web|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/joey-molland-badfinger-dead/|title=Joey Molland, Badfinger Guitarist, Dead at 77|first=Corey|last=Irwin|date=2 March 2025|website=Ultimateclassicrock.com|access-date=2 March 2025}}{{Cite web|url=https://bestclassicbands.com/joey-molland-badfinger-obituary-3-2-25/|title=Joey Molland, Last Member of Classic Badfinger Lineup, Dead at 77|first=Best Classic Bands|last=Staff|date=2 March 2025|website=Bestclassicbands.com|access-date=2 March 2025}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/badfinger-guitarist-joey-molland-dies-aged-77-3842793|title=Badfinger guitarist Joey Molland dies aged 77|first=Max|last=Pilley|publisher=NME |date=2 March 2025 |access-date=2 March 2025}}

With The Masterminds

• "She Belongs to Me" (1965 single){{Cite web|url=https://shop.totallyvinyl.com/record/1226-the-masterminds-immediate-7-inch-vinyl|title=Totally Vinyl Records Masterminds, The – She belongs to me (wr.Dylan) 7 inch|website=shop.totallyvinyl.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://thestrangebrew.co.uk/joey-molland/|title=- Joey Molland of Badfinger|date=25 January 2014}}

With Gary Walker & The Rain

• Album No. 1 (1968){{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/album-no-1-mw0000964053|title=Album No. 1 – Gary Walker & the Rain |via=www.allmusic.com}}

With Badfinger

• No Dice (1970){{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/no-dice-mw0000270661|title=No Dice – Badfinger |via=www.allmusic.com}}
• Straight Up (1971){{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/straight-up-mw0000618728|title=Straight Up – Badfinger |via=www.allmusic.com}}
• Ass (1973){{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/ass-mw0000745047|title=Ass – Badfinger |via=www.allmusic.com}}
• Badfinger (1974){{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/badfinger-mw0000474654|title=Badfinger – Badfinger |via=www.allmusic.com}}
• Wish You Were Here (1974){{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/wish-you-were-here-mw0000241450|title=Wish You Were Here – Badfinger |via=www.allmusic.com}}
• Airwaves (1979){{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/airwaves-mw0000666461|title=Airwaves – Badfinger |via=www.allmusic.com}}
• Say No More (1981){{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/say-no-more-mw0000063997|title=Say No More – Badfinger |via=www.allmusic.com}}

With Natural Gas

• Natural Gas (1976){{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/natural-gas-mw0000818009#credits|title=Natural Gas – Natural Gas |via=www.allmusic.com}}

Solo

• After the Pearl (1983){{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/after-the-pearl-mw0000937774|title=After the Pearl – Joey Molland | Album | AllMusic|via=www.allmusic.com}}
• The Pilgrim (1992){{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-pilgrim-mw0000083436|title=The Pilgrim – Joey Molland |via=www.allmusic.com}}
• Basil (also known as "Demo's Old and New") (1997){{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/basil-mw0000944275|title=Basil – Joey Molland |via=www.allmusic.com}}
• This Way Up (2001){{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/this-way-up-mw0000660696|title=This Way Up – Joey Molland |via=www.allmusic.com}}
• Return to Memphis (2013){{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/return-to-memphis-mw0002594271|title=Return to Memphis – Joey Molland |via=www.allmusic.com}}
• Be True to Yourself (2020){{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/be-true-to-yourself-mw0003417235|title=Be True to Yourself – Joey Molland |via=www.allmusic.com}}

As a guest artist

• The Concert for Bangladesh (album){{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-concert-for-bangladesh-mw0000653947#credits|title=The Concert for Bangladesh – George Harrison |via=www.allmusic.com}}
• All Things Must Pass by George Harrison (album).
• Imagine by John Lennon (album){{cite book| last= Blaney| first=John|title=John Lennon: Listen to This Book|year=2005|publisher=Paper Jukebox|location=[S.l.]|isbn=978-0-9544528-1-0|edition=illustrated|pages=82–90}}
• Victory Gardens (1991) with folk-duo John & Mary{{cite news |last1=Bream |first1=Jon |title=Nightlife |work=Star Tribune |date=7 June 1991 |page=11E}}
• Wear a New Face by Tim Schools{{cite web|url=http://www.timschools.com|title=Timothy Schools – artist and musician |website=Timschools.com|access-date=28 January 2018}} (2008 album; produced by Molland)
• Love Her by Tim Schools (2015 album; produced by Molland)

• "I Don't Mind" (album track, No Dice co-written with Tom Evans, by Badfinger){{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/no-dice-mw0000270661|title=Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Review of No Dice|publisher=AllMusic|date=15 March 2023}}
• "Better Days" (album track, No Dice co-written with Tom Evans, by Badfinger)
• "Watford John" (album track, No Dice co-written with Tom Evans, Mike Gibbins, Pete Ham, by Badfinger)
• "Sweet Tuesday Morning" (album track, Straight Up by Badfinger){{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/straight-up-mw0000618728|title=Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Review of Straight Up|publisher=AllMusic|date=15 March 2023}}
• "Sometimes" (album track, Straight Up by Badfinger)
• "Icicles" (album track, Ass by Badfinger){{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/ass-mw0000745047|title=John McLean, Review of Ass|publisher=AllMusic|date=25 March 2023}}
• "I Can Love You" (album track, Ass by Badfinger)
• "Give It Up" (album track, Badfinger){{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/badfinger-mw0000474654|title=Wayne Klein, Review of Badfinger|publisher=AllMusic|date=15 March 2023}}
• "Andy Norris" (album track, Badfinger){{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/badfinger-mw0000474654|title=Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Review of Badfinger|publisher=AllMusic|date=19 September 2022}}
• "Meanwhile Back at the Ranch/Should I Smoke" (album track, Wish You Were Here LP, co-written with Pete Ham, by Badfinger){{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-very-best-of-badfinger-mw0000097436/|title=Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Review of The Very Best of Badfinger|publisher=AllMusic|date=8 September 2022}}
• "Love Is Gonna Come at Last" (Billboard chart No. 69 by Badfinger)
• "No One Likes the Rain" (album track, The Pilgrim){{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-pilgrim-mw0000083436/|title=Alex Henderson, Review of The Pilgrim|publisher=AllMusic|date=19 September 2022}}
• "This Time" (album track, Be True to Yourself by Joey Molland){{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/be-true-to-yourself-mw0003417235/|title=Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Review of Be True to Yourself|publisher=AllMusic|date=15 March 2023}}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.badfingersite.com/ Official Badfinger Site]
• {{IMDb name| 0596995}}
• {{discogs artist|Joey Molland}}

{{Badfinger}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Molland, Joey}}

Category:1947 births

Category:2025 deaths

Category:English male singer-songwriters

Category:English male guitarists

Category:Badfinger members

Category:Deaths from diabetes in the United States

Category:English rock guitarists

Category:English expatriate musicians in the United States

Category:Musicians from Liverpool

Category:British rhythm guitarists

Category:People from Edge Hill

Category:The Merseybeats members

Category:World Classic Rockers members