Joey Molland, the guitarist in the beloved band Badfinger, has died at the age of 77.
The news was confirmed on the band’s official Facebook page.
No cause of death has been provided, although the musician reportedly was diagnosed with pneumonia in recent months.
‘Thank you, Joey…for keeping the band’s music alive for so long and for being a friend to us all,’ the band wrote in their online tribute.
Founded in Swansea in 1961, Badfinger was one of the first artists or bands to be signed by The Beatles to their Apple Records label.
The band are remebered as trailblazers in the power pop genre of the 60s and 70, selling more than 14million records throughout their career.
The best-known lineup consisted of Pete Ham (guitar), Mike Gibbins (drums), Tom Evans (bass), and Joey Molland (guitar), with Molland joining in 1970 and contributing to the band’s most well-known era.
Molland recorded the record No Dice with the band in 1969, an album produced by Beatles road manager Mal Evans and heavily influenced by the legendary group.
The songs No Matter What and Without You featured on the album, which climbed the charts and became two of the band’s most well known tracks.
The band, whose music was regularly produced by George Harrison, would have further hit singles such as Day After Day and Baby Blue.
Breaking Bad fans will most certainly recognise Baby Blue, as it was usedwhich was later memorably used in the closing moments of the final episode of the beloved series.
After a lineup shakeup in 1974, Molland became the songwriter and primary singer of the band, eventually forming Molland’s Badfinger, which remained active up until recently.
Molland also recorded music as a solo artist and a member of the group Natural Gas.
The guitarist was close to multiple members of The Beatles throughout his career, and even played guitar on several John Lennon songs and featured on George Harrison’s 1970 album All Things Must Pass.
Molland was the final surviving member of the most well-remembered Badfinger line-up.
Ham and Evans both committed suicide in 1975 and 1984, respectively, and Gibbins died from a brain aneurysm in 2005.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE: New York Dolls frontman David Johansen dies aged 75 days after revealing cancer diagnosis
MORE: Charli XCX, Danny Dyer, and a horse steal the show in wildest Brit Awards 2025 moments
MORE: Bill Murray admits Gene Hackman was ‘really difficult’ on set of award-winning film
