Badfinger

Thanks to the Welsh band’s uncanny knack for instantly memorable melodies and warm vocal harmonies, Badfinger became one of music’s biggest acts at the beginning of the ’70s. It helped to have their ex-Beatle bosses at Apple Records in their corner too, with Paul McCartney writing and producing Badfinger’s first hit, “Come and Get It,” and George Harrison serving as producer for 1971’s “Day After Day.” Unfortunately, the band fell prey to business problems and such personal tragedies as the suicide of lead singer/songwriter Pete Ham in 1975. Badfinger’s misfortunes brought a premature close to the run of hits that also included “No Matter What” and “Without You,” the heart-wrenching ballad that became a chart-topper for both Harry Nilsson and Mariah Carey. Reissues of music by the original group and tours by later incarnations in the 2000s and 2010s earned Badfinger wider recognition as pioneers of power pop.