Badfinger :: Dennis
When Pete Ham, lead singer and songwriter for Badfinger, hung himself in his garage recording studio in April 1975, he left a note: “Anne, I love you. Blair, I love you. I will not be allowed to love and trust everybody. This is better. Pete. P.S. Stan Polley is a soulless bastard. I will take him with me.” Stan Polley, Badfinger’s manager, had previously seized control of the band’s finances and kept the band members in financial dire straits; following Pete’s death, he pleaded no contest to charges of embezzlement and money laundering.
Pete’s most widely recognized piece is Without You (later made famous by Harry Nilsson), cowritten with Badfinger bandmate Tom Evans, who later hung himself in his backyard in November 1983. Tom was in the midst of a lawsuit over the royalties of Without You at the time of his death. He left behind his wife and son, as did Pete Ham when he hung himself. Pete’s wife Anne was eight months pregnant at the time of his death, and his daughter Petera (named in memory of him) was born a month later. Last year, she wrote the following for a website in his memory:
I just wanted to write a few words about my dad, Pete Ham, for what would have been his 60th Birthday (April 27, 2007).
As you probably know I have never met my dad, but I still have love and respect for him and also feel a very close bond to him. I feel sad, though, that I never had the opportunity of knowing him. I suppose in some ways I am lucky as I get to listen to his music and interviews which brings me closer to him.
I have heard a lot of stories from my mum and other people, and this has given me an insight into what kind of person he was. From what I’ve heard he was a shy, kind, considerate, selfless person with a good sense of humour who liked to joke around. I have been told by my mum that I resembled him in many ways, even down to the way he walked.
I have been lucky with the life he has given me through his music, which is famous throughout the world. This makes me very proud whenever I hear any of his songs. Sometimes it has been strange when I have been on holiday to places like Kenya and Dominican Republic, to hear people there sing his songs, particularly Without You. In a way, I think he is watching me, wherever I am.
There are many songs that I like by my dad, but I have a few favourites. Some of my favourite songs are Just Look Inside The Cover, Shine On, Name Of The Game and of course Dennis, which is about my brother, Blair.
Although my dad died just before I was born, I have a stepfather called Tony, although I don’t class him as that, he is my dad, too. He, along with my mum and family, helped me to grow up in a loving family, and I am very grateful to have them all. Tony has been very good throughout my life, helping me with things in respect of my dad, he has always wanted my dad to get the recognition he deserves.
I also would like to thank Dan Matovina for his help throughout the years in keeping the true memory of my dad’s work.
Sometimes I miss not meeting my dad. This makes me feel sad that he isn’t with me today, because of the problems he went through; I usually switch on my iPod and listen to his songs, which make me cry.
Happy Birthday Dad, I think of you all the time and love you with all my heart, your daughter Petera.
While the story of Badfinger is overwhelmingly tragic, their music is haunting and beautiful, particularly this song, Dennis, from their 1974 masterpiece Wish You Were Here. It was recorded in the midst of Badfinger’s financial struggles just months before Pete’s suicide, and is one of the most gorgeous and affecting songs that I know.
Stan Polley is alive to this day, and I hope he feels a deep and gnawing guilt every day of his life.
Dennis
Badfinger (wikipedia)