No Matter What

Zoo Freaks, get ready for some righteous vibes as The Zoo Crew spins "No Matter What" by Badfinger from their killer album No Dice. This track, a power pop gem, hit number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1970, but the band didn’t initially believe in its potential. According to a 2021 post on X by @sk_rust, Badfinger tucked it at the end of the first side of No Dice and resisted releasing it as a single, yet it became their biggest hit. Power pop historian Will Birch, in a Louder article, recalled hearing it on a London car radio in 1970, mistaking it for a secret Beatles reunion due to its Lennon/McCartney-esque magic. The song’s lush harmonies and Pete Ham’s electrifying guitar riffs, enhanced by newcomer Joey Molland, made it a standout, despite Apple Records initially dismissing it as a non-hit.

Another cool tidbit comes from the song’s production journey. No Dice was mostly produced by Geoff Emerick, but "No Matter What" was helmed by Mal Evans, a Beatles roadie turned producer. Evans’ two tracks were added to the album “for balance,” as noted in a Wikipedia entry, and ironically, his cut became the chart-topper. The song’s success was bittersweet, though. Badfinger’s manager, Stan Polley, mismanaged their finances, leaving the band with meager earnings despite the hit’s global reach. Dan Matovina’s 1997 biography, Without You: The Tragic Story of Badfinger, details how Polley’s shady deals overshadowed the band’s triumphs, a sentiment echoed by fans on Badfinger fan Facebook groups who lament the band’s tragic arc.

Badfinger started as The Iveys in Swansea, Wales, in 1961, evolving from a local act called The Panthers. Drummer Mike Gibbins joined in 1965, solidifying the core lineup with Pete Ham (guitar), Tom Evans (bass), and later Joey Molland (guitar). Initially a pop outfit, they caught the eye of Beatles roadie Mal Evans, who helped them sign to Apple Records in 1968. Their early single “Maybe Tomorrow,” co-produced by Tony Visconti, flopped, but Paul McCartney’s gift of “Come and Get It” in 1969, for the film The Magic Christian, gave them a Top 10 hit. Renamed Badfinger after the working title of The Beatles’ “With a Little Help from My Friends” (“Bad Finger Boogie”), they leaned into a harder-edged sound with No Dice, cementing their power pop legacy.

The band’s connection to The Beatles ran deep. They played on George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass and John Lennon’s Imagine, with Molland contributing to “Jealous Guy.” Critics, like Mike Saunders in a 1970 Rolling Stone review, praised their Beatles-esque vocals, though the comparisons haunted them. By 1970, Badfinger were touring the U.S., but Polley’s financial schemes and Apple’s post-Beatles chaos derailed their momentum. Despite selling 14 million records, as noted on Eirewave, their story turned tragic with Pete Ham’s suicide in 1975 and Tom Evans’ in 1983, events fans still discuss on Classic Rock Forums.

Stay connected with Badfinger’s official website for updates on their legacy. Check out their Facebook and Instagram for rare photos and news, though their X account is less active. Fans keep the flame alive on Badfinger fan Facebook groups and sites like Classic Rock Forums, where Zoo Freaks can geek out over the band’s timeless riffs. Keep rocking, and let’s give it up for Badfinger!