Joey Molland, a songwriter and rock guitarist most well-known for his performances for Badfinger, has passed away at age 77.
Molland was the last surviving member of the Welsh 70s rock band Badfinger. According to Fox News, Paul Davie, Molland’s friend and social media manager, told the outlet that he passed away on Saturday, March 1. He died of health complications from diabetes and pneumonia. The guitarist had reportedly been in hospital for three months prior to his death, and his family even set up a GoFundMe to help with recovery costs.
The official Badfinger Facebook account announced Joey Molland’s passing on March 2 with a heartfelt message.
“Well, the day we never wanted to see has arrived.
Joey (Joseph Charles) Molland passed away last night, surrounded by Mary, his two sons, and other family members at 11:39 pm CST.
When I receive the information regarding arrangements, I will post them here.
I was in bed when it occurred…and I woke up to this news, so I’m sorry for the delay. I’ve already seen a few posts in my personal feed, and a half-dozen PMs were sent this morning. (Thank you for the sympathies.)
Needless to say, although I knew the situation was bad, it was still a shock to the system. I’m sure if you’re reading this for the first time, it’s a shock to yours, as well. Long Live Badfinger.
Thank you, Joey…for keeping the band’s music alive for so long and for being a friend to us all.”
Molland Was Battling Health Issues Before His Death
Mary Joyce, Molland’s girlfriend, started a GoFundMe for the struggling rock guitarist just months before his death. Joyce explains that Molland fell ill in November but hoped he would recover. He was in the hospital for 46 days before the fundraiser began.
Joey reportedly fell ill during the fall and picked up a bad bacterial infection due to his diabetes in December. The infection caused septicemia and harmed his bones and critical organs.
Molland joined Badfinger in 1969, alongside Pete Ham, Tom Evans, and Mike Gibbins. The band is known for hits like ‘Baby Blue,’ and ‘Day after Day.’ Per the New York Post, Badfinger was the first band to be signed to the Beatles’ label, Apple Records. Paul Mccartney even wrote the band’s first major single ‘Come and Get It.’
