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Joey Molland, the last surviving member of the 1970s Welsh rock band Badfinger, has died. He was 77.
Paul Davie, a close friend of Molland and his social media manager, informed Fox News Digital about the musician’s passing on Saturday, March 1. The cause of death was attributed to complications arising from diabetes and pneumonia.
He had been in the hospital for just over three months at the time of his death.
On March 2, the band’s official Facebook page announced his death.
In an emotional statement, Davie expressed the sorrow felt by all those close to Molland. He shared that the artist had passed away at 11:39 pm CST, with his partner Mary, two sons, and other relatives by his side.
Reflecting on Molland’s legacy, Davie acknowledged the pain of accepting the loss. Despite being aware of the severity of the situation, the news still came as a jolt. Davie extended gratitude to Molland for his dedication to keeping the band’s music alive and for his role as a cherished friend to many.
A few months before his death, his partner, Mary Joyce, started a GoFundMe for him as he continued to battle various health issues.
“Joey was vaguely ill throughout the fall, and then in early December acquired a very bad bacterial infection due to his diabetes,” a message from the GoFundMe read. “The infection caused septicemia and traveled through his body, causing harm in multiple critical organs and bones.”
Molland’s life changed when he joined Badfinger in 1969 along with former members Pete Ham, Tom Evans and Mike Gibbins.
The band found mega success with hits such as “Baby Blue,” “No Matter What,” “Day After Day” and “Without You.” They were the first band to be signed to The Beatles’ label, Apple Records.
Beatles legend Paul McCartney wrote their first major single, “Come and Get It.”
According to USA Today, Molland also worked on various solo Beatles projects, including George Harrison’s “All Things Must Pass” and “The Concert for Bangladesh,” as well as John Lennon’s 1971 album “Imagine.”
Later in his career, Molland released multiple solo albums and often performed live with his own tunes and several Beatles tributes.
“I owe him so much,” Davie told USA Today. “He always believed in me.”
“That’s how he made you feel,” Davie continued. “Whenever they had signings (at festivals), they would have some big name stars from the Beatles world, but Joey’s line at the signing table was always five times longer than everybody else’s because they wanted that special face time. In fact, he’d yell at me if I’d say, ‘Yeah, we gotta kind of move it along here.’ He’d say, ‘No man, I’m having a conversation with this guy, don’t cut me off!’”