So apparently there was some sort of pop cultural phenomenon that came to an end this past Sunday.
And this ragingly beautiful Badfinger classic figured in it prominnently.
This is actually my favorite song of theirs ever, but fuck you, Vince Gilligan -- from now on whenever I hear it I'll be thinking about crystal meth.
But I kid the great Breaking Bad auteur.
Apparently downloads of this song from iTunes and elsewhere have gone through the roof since the weekend, which is fine by me, of course; I just hope the royalty checks are going to the surviving members of the band -- and the families of the late Pete Ham and Tom Evans -- rather than some crooked manager.
I should add that a certain Shady Dame and I were out to dinner a few hours before the episode aired, and the restaurant was serving a special cocktail called The Heisenberg. I was hoping it involved Cristal for obvious reasons, but apparently not.
There's a subject for a rock and roll movie if there ever was one. Maybe they could use the proceeds to build a vast memorial for every musician who's been dicked over by some scummy manager or club owner.
ReplyDeleteMike Gibbins, seen in this video and long time drummer for Badfinger, has passed as well (in 2005). Joey Molland, guitarist, is the only surviving member.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know about the drummer. Damn.
ReplyDeleteNot that this is not a great song (quite complex, actually), but better than "Day After Day"?
ReplyDeleteI even like it better than "No Matter What."
ReplyDeleteHey, what can I tell you.
:-)
I read an article last night about Todd Rundgren's reaction to their use of the song. I forgot that he produced Straight Up...and, in fact, was the band's third choice to take a stab at it (after Geoff Emerick and George Harrison). It inspired me to give the record a listen in its entirety. It's still great, and holds up surprisingly well.
ReplyDeleteBut Annie kept on speeding!
ReplyDeleteWhat's with all these rockers dying at 27????
ReplyDeleteThree days before his 28th birthday, on 24 April 1975, Ham committed suicide by hanging himself, leaving a note that included damning comments about Polley.
Christ. I can't believe there's carping about "day after day". Lyrics are great, but ultimately, lyrics are for assholes, like me.
ReplyDeleteBadfinger is about your dumbass guts.
I've always thought that 'Baby Blue' was the pinnacle of Power Pop. Every note is perfect.
ReplyDeleteEW has an interview with Joey Molland about the event
ReplyDeletehttp://music-mix.ew.com/2013/09/30/badfinger-breaking-bad/
I gotta go with "Baby Blue" as Badfinger's finest. Saw that article, STEVES, and did the same thing. Pulled out "Straight Up" and gave it a run. Pretty fab.
ReplyDeleteI went to see Badfinger at the Lone Star Roadhouse in 1989. Just Joey and Mike, of course. Strange but true...Molland sang lead on everything but then when they did "Come & Get It," the one hit Molland actually sang on, he let the other guitarist sing. Still baffles and annoys to this day.
Finally...the single mix of "Baby Blue" has a slightly more Phil Spector-ish drum sound. Kind of cool.
Sal - Molland didn't sing lead on "Come and Get It". He wasn't even on the record. No need to be baffled or annoyed anymore.
ReplyDeleteReally? Really? I never knew that. Wow. Who was it?
ReplyDeleteTom Evans, I guess?
ReplyDeleteHello all...no please remain seated,
ReplyDeleteBaby Blue or Day After Day? Hmmmm...which will it be???
Requires further study - I'll get back to you in a century or so with my preference.
regards,
RicgD
It's "No Matter What" for me.
ReplyDeleteI worked at a record store in the late 80's and we could sell a mint copy of Straight Up for 50 bucks.
ReplyDeleteBecause it was out of print at that time, people paid it.
I remember being frustrated in the late 80's at the difficulty of finding Badfinger music at reasonable prices. Finally, a friend of mine found a record store that had the 45 of "Baby Blue" (for $5, I think). He knew this was my Holy Grail record at the time and was also elated to find his rarity: "The Lord's Prayer" by Sister Janet Mead. :)
ReplyDelete