Joey Molland, Sole Surviving Original Member of Badfinger, Dies at 77 Following Health Issues

Mar. 15, 2025

Joey Molland, the last surviving original member of rock band Bad Finger, has died. He was 77.

The band’s officialFacebookpage announced his death on Sunday, March 2. “Well, the day we never wanted to see has arrived,” the tribute began.

“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,” the statement continued. “Thank you, Joey…for keeping the band’s music alive for so long and for being a friend to us all.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The announcement of Molland’s death comes months are his partner Mary Joyce started aGoFundMefor him amid health issues that led to several surgical procedures. Joyce called the experience a “complicated, unpredictable journey.”

“Joey was vaguely ill throughout the fall, and then in early December acquired a very bad bacterial infection due to his diabetes,” the GoFundMe said. “The infection caused septicemia and traveled through his body, causing harm in multiple critical organs and bones.”

The late musician was also diagnosed with pneumonia.

Pete Ham, Tommy Evans, Mike Gibbons, Joey Molland in 1971.Michael Putland/Getty

Michael Putland/Getty

Molland was born in England in 1947. He joined Badfinger — which was originally known as the Iveys — in 1969. The original members included Pete Ham on guitar, bassist Tom Evans and Mike Gibbins on the drums, perBillboard.

Molland recorded five albums total with the original Badfinger musicians. He also collaborated with John Lennon and George Harrison,Rolling Stonereported.

The guitarist eventually formed his own Badfinger band, aptly called Joey Molland’s Badfinger, in the early 80s and toured with them for decades until 2024.

“There are times when it all feels like a dream,” Molland said in 2020 during an interview withGuitar World, reflecting on his career.

“Badfinger gave me the opportunity to do everything a musician could want. I got to make records. I heard my music on the radio, and I toured all over. I couldn’t believe the luck we were having. For a time, everything was great.”

Before his relationship with Joyce, Molland wasmarried to Kathie until her death in 2009.

source: people.com