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THE IVEYS/ BADFINGER AND THE IRONY OF PETTY CASH

Badfinger
Badfinger

BADFINGERA TRAGIC BUT TALENTED BAND

Several Iveys/ Badfinger print Items that I have acquired over the years which I hope you will find interesting to peruse.

The first series of items are petty cash invoices signed by Pete Ham, Tom Evans, Joey Molland, and Mike Gibbins. One of the tragic elements of having Badfinger petty cash invoices is their tragic story of how their recording success did not translate into financial security. According to many sources, financial mismanagement by impresario, S. Polley, ultimately led to drive two members of the band to commit suicide. The drummer, Mike, is also now deceased and the only surviving member of Badfinger is Ron Griffiths, formerly of the Iveys, who was with Badfinger for only a short time, and Joey Molland, who replaced Griffiths in the band.

Pete Ham petty cash invoice:

Pete Ham Petty Cash Receipt
Pete Ham Petty Cash Receipt

Tom Evans petty cash invoice:

Tom Evans Petty Cash Receipt
Tom Evans Petty Cash Receipt

Mike Gibbins petty cash invoice:

Mike Gibbins Petty Cash receipt
Mike Gibbins Petty Cash receipt

Joey Molland petty cash invoice:

Joey Molland Petty Cash Receipt
Joey Molland Petty Cash Receipt

Petty cash voucher signed by early Iveys/ Badfinger manager-Bill Collins:

Petty Cash Receipt for Bill Collins
Petty Cash Receipt for Bill Collins

A nice handwritten inscribed message to me from early Iveys/Badfinger member, Ron Griffiths. Ron wrote the Badfinger song “Dear Angie.”

Autograph of Ron Griffiths
Autograph of Ron Griffiths

For a recent cd release, Joey Molland did a fundraising event with Kickstarter whereby pledging a certain amount could secure a handwritten Badfinger song by Joey even if Joey did not write the song. I chose “Apple of My Eye” for several reasons. It was Pete Ham’s song of regret of having to leave Apple Records and it also referred directly and indirectly to the problems that artists have in dealing with record companies. This was unfortunately to get much worse for Badfinger when they moved on to their new record company. Sad to realize that the end of the both the Beatles and Badfinger were issues related to business and management. This song summarizes for me what business problems can lead to with a band.

Apple of My Eye by Pete Ham of Badfinger
Apple of My Eye by Pete Ham of Badfinger

If you would like to learn more about the tragic story of Badfinger, I highly recommend the following book by the late Dan Matovina which is superb. It is difficult to track down and commands high prices because of the great demand.

Without You - The Tragic Story of Badfinger
Without You – The Tragic Story of Badfinger
Without You - The Tragic Story of Badfinger
Without You – The Tragic Story of Badfinger

Buzz

Two Great Books about Badfinger at The Beatles Bookstore